The wizarding world is about to expand once again, and this time, fans are bracing for some big surprises. HBO’s new Harry Potter series is officially in production, and while the cast list is mostly complete, one character is sparking some debate: Lord Voldemort.
According to Daniel Richtman (via SFFGazette.com), Warner Bros. and HBO are auditioning both men and women for the part. He writes: “For the Harry Potter show, they’re auditioning both men and women for Voldemort, so it’s possible we could see a female Voldemort in the series.”
Unsurprisingly, social media quickly exploded with responses.
One tweeted, “Still not worse than what they did to Snape,” referencing Black actor Paapa Essiedu’s casting in a role once played by Alan Rickman. Another user criticized Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling herself: “The morphing of @jk_rowling into Lord Voldemort is now complete. Some irony, no — the trans-hating author goes from evil female to manosphere sorcerer just like that.”
Meanwhile, others have reacted with a mix of sarcasm and resignation: “Lmao…do it. Just do it…at this point, who even cares anymore.”
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Speculation about potential candidates for Voldemort has already begun. AI-generated images depict actresses Tilda Swinton (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe), Laverne Cox (Orange Is the New Black), and Cynthia Erivo in the role, with Erivo being the most frequently suggested thanks to her portrayal of the Wicked Witch of the West in Wicked (2024).
Whether HBO and Warner Bros. will pursue a female actor is still unconfirmed, but the idea has certainly stirred conversation.
Beyond the Voldemort rumors, the series has confirmed several major cast members. John Lithgow is Dumbledore, Nick Frost is Hagrid, Janet McTeer is McGonagall, Paul Whitehouse is Filch, Katherine Parkinson is Molly Weasley, Alastair Stout is Ron, Arabella Stanton is Hermione, and Dominic McLaughlin is Harry.
Season 1 is expected to premiere in 2027 on HBO and HBO Max.
Would you like to see a female Lord Voldemort, or do you think the idea is riddikulus? Let us know your thoughts in the comments down below!
