The swirling rumors about the casting of Lord Voldemort in HBO Max’s highly anticipated Harry Potter reboot have reached a fever pitch, with fans and industry insiders alike speculating about who will step into the shadowy role once occupied by Ralph Fiennes. Yet as of March 9, 2026, the answer remains elusive. Paul Bettany, a favorite among online theorists, has now put the speculation to rest—at least in his case.
Speaking at the Saturn Awards, Bettany addressed the buzz head-on, telling ScreenRant, “I haven’t heard anything about that. I mean I’m a big fan of the [intellectual property], and I’m a big fan of HBO, but nobody has called me up about it.” According to ScreenRant, this statement was as clear as it gets: Bettany is not donning Voldemort’s infamous cloak.
The denial follows on the heels of another: Cillian Murphy, fresh off his Oscar win, had already shot down rumors of his involvement, saying, “I’m categorically not” playing Voldemort. The role, it seems, is proving as hard to fill as the Dark Lord’s own Horcruxes. With both Bettany and Murphy out of the running, attention has turned to Tilda Swinton. Unlike her peers, Swinton has not denied the rumors swirling around her possible casting, fueling speculation that HBO might be considering a bold, gender-swapped take on the villain.
But would J.K. Rowling sign off on such a move? That question lingers, given the author’s well-publicized and controversial views on gender identity. As New York Magazine pointedly asked, “Would J.K. Rowling, infamous TERF, really be okay with that?” The uncertainty adds another layer of intrigue to the casting process, though as of now, there’s no official word from Swinton or the production team.
While the search for Voldemort continues, the rest of the cast is largely in place. The central trio—Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger—will be portrayed by rising child stars Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout, and Arabella Stanton, respectively. This fresh-faced lineup is set to bring a new generation’s energy to the legendary roles. Among the adult cast, John Lithgow will step into the shoes (and beard) of Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer will play Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu will take on Severus Snape, and comedian Nick Frost will embody Rubeus Hagrid. Warwick Davis, a familiar face from the original films, will reprise his role as Professor Flitwick, making him the only confirmed returning cast member from the previous cinematic iteration.
The series itself is a massive undertaking. HBO’s new adaptation is planned as a seven-season epic, with each season dedicated to a single book from Rowling’s beloved series. The show is scheduled to launch in 2027, promising a slow-burn retelling that allows for more nuanced character development and plot exploration than the original films could offer. According to The Independent, this format was designed to “do justice to the depth and complexity of Rowling’s novels.”
But the project is not without controversy. Much of the criticism centers on Rowling’s vocal opposition to transgender rights. The author has become a prominent figure in debates over gender identity, donating significant sums to organizations that seek to limit legal protections for transgender people. This has led to calls for boycotts and public backlash against those involved in the new adaptation.
John Lithgow, who will play Dumbledore, has felt the heat. In February, he defended his decision to join the cast, telling The Independent that Rowling “is not really involved in this production at all,” despite her official role as an executive producer. Lithgow admitted he considered stepping away from the role due to the controversy, but ultimately decided to stay. “It upsets me when people are vehemently opposed to me having anything to do with this,” Lithgow said. “But in Potter canon, you see no trace of transphobic sensitivity. [Rowling] has written this meditation of kindness and acceptance. And Dumbledore is a beautiful role.”
His comments highlight the tension many actors face: balancing the opportunity to participate in a beloved franchise with the desire to distance themselves from its controversial creator. Some observers, as noted by New York Magazine, have speculated that this same tension may be making the role of Voldemort particularly hard to cast. “Maybe actors fear the double karma of playing a fictional villain like Voldemort while associated with real-life villain Rowling,” the magazine quipped.
For now, the role of Voldemort remains officially vacant. The only certainty is that whoever ultimately takes on the part will face extraordinary scrutiny—not just for their portrayal of one of literature’s most iconic villains, but for their association with a franchise at the center of a heated cultural debate. The stakes are high, and the eyes of both the entertainment industry and the Harry Potter fandom are watching closely.
Meanwhile, the show’s creative team continues to press forward. The casting of Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout, and Arabella Stanton as the young leads has been met with excitement from fans eager to see new faces in the wizarding world. The presence of established actors like Lithgow, McTeer, Essiedu, and Frost promises a blend of gravitas and humor, while Warwick Davis’s return offers a comforting link to the past.
As the countdown to 2027 continues, speculation over the identity of the new Voldemort is likely to intensify. Will the producers opt for a traditional casting, or will they break the mold with someone like Tilda Swinton? Will the controversy surrounding Rowling continue to overshadow the production, or will the series carve out a new legacy for itself, independent of its creator’s politics?
One thing’s for sure: the spellbinding drama surrounding HBO’s Harry Potter reboot is far from over. Until the final casting announcement is made, fans will have to content themselves with rumors, denials, and the tantalizing promise of magic yet to come.
With the role of Voldemort still open and the production’s future both bright and fraught, the wizarding world remains as unpredictable—and as captivating—as ever.