The question of who will play Lord Voldemort in HBO’s Harry Potter series has sparked an early storm of speculation — and this time, it’s a “gender-swapping” rumor that has divided fans. According to insider Daniel Richtman, auditions for the Dark Lord may include both men and women, suggesting the series could introduce a female Voldemort.
The rumor has provoked a wide range of reactions. Some are outraged, arguing that Voldemort is male. Others have embraced the possibility, suggesting a “gender swap” could bring a new perspective to the villain. And some are indifferent, either because they’re unconcerned by casting changes or skeptical about the reboot altogether.
Social media fan-casts have also been circulating, with big names like Cynthia Erivo (Wicked) and Tilda Swinton (Doctor Strange, Avengers: Endgame) appearing in AI-generated images of a female Lord Voldemort. Both actresses have already portrayed powerful witches in other works, which makes the idea more visually plausible.
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HBO’s Harry Potter series adaptation has already caused a stir with one of its confirmed recastings, with Paapa Essiedu, who will play Severus Snape, drawing negative attention for deviating from the character’s traditional appearance in both the books and films. If the female Lord Voldemort turns out to be true, then it would be clear that Warner Bros. and HBO are deliberately stirring the cauldron with some of their casting choices.
While most other actors in the ensemble resemble their source material counterparts — John Lithgow as Dumbledore, Nick Frost as Hagrid, Janet McTeer as McGonagall, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, and so on — Essiedu’s casting suggests that the creative team is willing to challenge expectations. A female Voldemort would follow naturally in that trend.
Filming on the upcoming series is well underway across the U.K., and Warner Bros. has confirmed a 2027 premiere.
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!
