Who dares to follow in Ralph Fiennes’ footsteps?

The HBO adaptation of the Harry Potter series is taking on increasingly concrete form, yet remains extremely mysterious when it comes to Lord Voldemort . While the roles of Harry, Hermione, and Ron have already been officially cast , it remains unclear who will portray Lord Voldemort in the future.

What is known so far

Some of the main roles are officially confirmed:

• Harry Potter is played by Dominic McLaughlin, who has never hidden his passion for books.
• Hermione Granger is portrayed by Arabella Stanton – a talented young actress who has appeared in musicals such as Matilda The Musical and Starlight Express .
• Ron Weasley takes over from Alastair Stout.
• Other cast members include familiar faces such as John Lithgow (Dumbledore), Janet McTeer (McGonagall), Paapa Essiedu (Snape), Nick Frost (Hagrid) and Johnny Flynn (Lucius Malfoy).

Filming has been underway in Leavesden since July 2025. A mini-city with its own schools for the child actors has been built there, and the first look at McLaughlin in costume has already been released. Airing is scheduled for early 2027 .

Why does Voldemort remain a mystery?

Fans are eagerly awaiting the role, as there's no official casting yet for the darkest of all characters. Some sources report that the actor has already been chosen, but HBO is deliberately waiting until the series premieres to introduce him.

The fact that the identity remains hidden behind Ralph Fiennes's enormous legacy adds further tension. Fiennes's portrayal was so influential that it's difficult to follow in his footsteps.

Matt Smith, known for his role in Doctor Who and most recently as Daemon Targaryen in House of the Dragon , also clarified that he himself had no interest in the role. With a grin, he said Ralph Fiennes was simply unbeatable.

Ralph Fiennes gets involved – with a fashion tip

The former Voldemort himself has already spoken out, and in a charming way. He gave the future actor an unusual but practical tip: Long-sleeved, flowing robes may look impressive, but don't trip over them .

He also had words of praise for Cillian Murphy, whom he called a "fantastic suggestion." But again, there was no confirmation of an actual casting.

What does this mean for the series and for the fans?

HBO is revealing the cast step by step, deliberately building anticipation. At the same time, the producers emphasize that the series aims to be as faithful an adaptation of the books as possible. In addition to the familiar locations, there will also be additional details. Planned features include expanded professorial offices and a more detailed look at Privet Drive.

The fan community follows every little announcement with growing excitement. Forums and social media are fervently debating whether the role of Voldemort will go to an established character actor or whether a new face will get the chance. Until the official reveal, however, he remains a mystery. No one yet knows the voice of the Dark Lord, and no one knows which face will embody him in the series.

✨ For those who don't want to wait until the new actor is revealed: You can already find Lord Voldemort's wand in our shop .