Ralph Fiennes says he would love to reprise harry potter voldemort, but he believes the chance has already passed. Speaking on ’s The Claudia Winkleman Show, the actor said nothing has happened since he was last asked about returning to the part, and he now thinks that ship has sailed. The comments come as HBO’s TV adaptation of the Harry Potter books moves through production without a confirmed Voldemort casting.
Fiennes leaves the door open, then closes it
Fiennes played Harry Potter’s arch enemy in the original film franchise from 2005 to 2011. He said he was once asked whether he would reprise the role and answered yes, adding that he would love to, but later found that nothing moved forward. In the same interview, he said he now feels the opportunity has likely passed.
The actor also used the conversation to put forward a name for the next version of harry potter voldemort. He said Tilda Swinton would be “fantastic” in the role, making clear that he sees her as a strong fit for the character in the new series.
HBO has not confirmed Voldemort
The new HBO adaptation has already announced much of its cast, including the main trio. Scottish actor Dominic McLaughlin will play Harry Potter, with Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley and Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger.
But the role of Voldemort remains unconfirmed. HBO boss Casey Bloys said last month that the company had not yet cast anyone for the part and urged people not to believe rumours. He added that he did not even know who was being cast, underscoring how early the process remains for one of the story’s most closely watched roles.
That uncertainty has helped keep interest high around harry potter voldemort, especially because speculation has already linked the role with names including Tilda Swinton and Cillian Murphy. Murphy has already dismissed the idea, saying he is “categorically not” taking on the part.
Why the role still draws attention
Voldemort remains one of the most recognisable characters in the Harry Potter franchise, and any casting news draws immediate attention. Fiennes’ remarks matter because he is the actor most closely associated with the role in the film series, and his comments now frame the next version as a separate chapter rather than a handback.
For now, the key question is whether HBO will make its choice public and whether that choice will match the level of speculation already building around harry potter voldemort. Until then, Fiennes’ message is simple: he would have been open to returning, but he does not expect it to happen.
