Who Will Play Voldemort in HBO’s ‘Harry Potter’? 7 Dream Cast Choices, Ranked

The return of Harry Potter’s biggest villain to the screen in HBO’s upcoming TV series is both exciting and frightening, especially since many fans never thought someone would dare replace Ralph Fiennes as Voldemort.

However, there was a change of heart when HBO’s Harry Potter show was announced, with rumours spreading about several actors potentially taking on the role.

Despite the future series having reportedly found its Voldemort’s actor whose identity HBO would try to keep a secret for a while, the story’s fans cherish the hope of seeing one of these perfect candidates in the series’ first season.

7. Matthew Goode

Even with many still seeing him as Henry Talbot from Downton Abbey, Matthew Goode could still have a good chance to rise to stardom thanks to the role of Voldemort.

The actor was good enough as an annoying aristocrat in the historical drama, as well as capable of villainous thoughts as Ozymandias Zack Snyder’s Watchmen, so many fans saw Goode’s possible casting as an opportunity for the actor to go onto new heights with an acting range.

Many, however, consider him the most unlikely candidate of all.

6. Benedict Cumberbatch

Even though he’s mostly known for positive roles like Sherlock Holmes in BBC’s Sherlock or Marvel’s Doctor Strange, Cumberbatch was pretty menacing as Khan Noonien Singh in Star Trek into Darkness, which made him one of the most desirable candidates for Voldemort’s role.

Still, whether fans acknowledge that or not, the actor is very unlikely to come close to something as controversial as Harry Potter’s TV series right now, let alone the fact that he might not even want to be attached to a massive project that will last at least a decade.

5. Daniel Craig

He might not boast of as many villainous roles as Ralph Fiennes, but Daniel Craig has long been one of the favorites among Harry Potter’s fans even after a pretty much heroic role in several James Bond movies.

Craig’s acting range is surely able to come close to Ralph Fiennes’ performance, though the former, just like Benedict Cumberbatch, will unlikely be lured by a possibility of staying around for a 10-year TV project.

Apart from that, Craig was also reportedly cast in Greta Gerwig’s Chronicles of Narnia reboot, so there’s little hope to see him in practically any role in Harry Potter (it would be nice though).

4. Tim Roth

More famous thanks to pretty aggressive roles in action flicks, Tim Roth might need to make things right with his on-screen hot temper, yet it doesn’t make him less of a good fit for Harry Potter’s Voldemort.

The actor can be just as intimidating as Ralph Fiennes even when they only look at you; apart from that, Roth is known for his experimental approach to choosing new roles, turning the whole process into a game with its own challenges.

The only question that remains is the same 10-year commitment, though in this case it doesn’t seem to be a problem either.

3. Christoph Waltz

Inglorious Basterds’ Hans Landa was so convincingly terrifying that Christoph Waltz was quickly labeled a master of villains in modern Hollywood.

However, even those rooting for the actor to play more good guys probably wouldn’t mind one more chance for him to be bad on the screen, and Voldemort does seem like a perfect opportunity.

However, it’s still very unlikely that Waltz would be eager to commit to the same thing for 10 years straight; at least no one can impede us to hope for such an outcome.

2. Tom Hiddleston

Marvel’s fans know Tom Hiddleston can be just as menacing as Voldemort if he needs to — the actor’s portrayal of Loki garnered all accolades possible, and it seems like somber tones in fact suit him better.

However, even with not many potential movies on the way, Hiddleston will unlikely become HBO’s top choice, considering that the studio seeks talents with not so much experience in major franchises.

1. Cillian Murphy

Oppenheimer’s actor is just everything Harry Potter’s fans want for new Voldemort, and it actually makes sense.

Apart from obvious acting skills that would help him easily nail the role, Cillian Murphy also has a similar physical appearance to Ralph Fiennes, boasting of an angular look that quite many movie villains are associated with.

Whether Murphy has in fact become HBO’s choice or not, the actor does look like a perfect fit and could definitely add some extra points to the show’s yet unstable reputation.