British acting legend new frontrunner to play Voldemort in Harry Potter reboot
HBO has already revealed the three young actors who will play Harry, Hermione and Ron, following in the footsteps of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint.
Meanwhile, John Lithgow is set to play headmaster Albus Dumbledore, I May Destroy You star Paapa Essiedu will be Severus Snape, and Nick Frost has been cast as Hagrid.
But Potterheads are still waiting to find out who will star as the new Voldemort.
The current favourite to take on the role is Matthew Macfadyen, according to Online Betting Guide.
They put the Succession star at 1/1 odds, in news that comes shortly after the acclaimed actor was cast to play Voldemort in a new Harry Potter audiobook series.
The first of the seven full-cast audiobooks, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, will be released by Audible on November 4, followed by Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets on December 16.
Meanwhile, former Doctor Who star Matt Smith and Marvel alum Paul Bettany are also tipped for the role of Voldemort in HBO's Harry Potter, both of whom enjoy 3/1 odds.
Coming in behind them is Peaky Blinders' Cillian Murphy at 4/1, who previously had something of an edge after the original Voldemort actor, Ralph Fiennes, gave him his blessing.
During an interview on Watch What Happens Live, Fiennes said: 'Cillian is a fantastic actor. That's a wonderful suggestion. I would be all in favour of Cillian. Yeah.' Who do you think would be the best Voldemort?
Tom Hiddleston is also in the running, with odds of 5/1 — though he was previously the favourite for the role.
No stranger to playing a baddie, Hiddleston is probably best known as Marvel's impish Loki.
Senior TV Reporter Rebecca Cook shares her take…
Tom Hiddleston's tenure as Loki in the Marvel franchise is riddled (get it) with moments proving he has a strong Voldemort performance in him. Think back to when he went full panto villain at Comic-Con in 2013, emerging from the dark with the audience eating out of the palm of his hand.
He's certainly capable of playing a charismatic villain – but there's the risk his charm may soften Voldemort's edges. After all, who didn't end up secretly loving Loki, even before we were meant to?
We want someone who's truly terrifying to play Voldemort. Hairs upright on the back of your neck type of thing.
Perhaps an actor like Idris Elba would be a better fit, admittedly not currently in the conversation, but with a commanding presence and The Wire's Stringer Bell as proof he knows how to play a complicated villain.
The show's confirmed cast, which includes Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall, Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley, and Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley, have been subject to immense scrutiny already.
Especially as Harry Potter creator (and the new HBO series' executive producer) JK Rowling's comments about the trans community have caused backlash from some groups.
In a recent interview, The Crown's Bertie Carvel, who will star as Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge, declined to discuss the author but did reflect on his future in the show.
'I am coming at it with a really open mind. Whether I come back [after the first series] probably depends on what the fans think. I mean, I'll be furious if it's not an amazing part.' More Trending
Meanwhile, Jason Isaacs, who played Lucius Malfoy in the original Harry Potter films, has defended the casting of Paapa Essiedu as Snape after he faced racist backlash on social media.
'I've seen some people online who are being rude about him. What they're being is racist,' he said in an interview with Collider.
The Harry Potter TV show will stream exclusively on Max in 2027.
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This article was originally published on May 30, 2025.
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MORE: Netflix unveils major return for Peaky Blinders legend in 'stressful' new film
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