Harry Potter movie star Ralph Fiennes has given his blessing for Doctor Strange’s Tilda Swinton to take over as Lord Voldemort.
HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter TV series is yet to cast the young wizard’s arch nemesis — though Voldemort only makes a cameo appearance in the saga’s first story. Still, as the show’s December launch date gets closer, time is running out for Fiennes’ shoes to be filled, so a face can be slapped onto the back of Professor Quirrell’s head.
Speaking on tonight’s episode of The Claudia Winkleman Show (via BBC News), Fiennes revealed that he was once asked if he would reprise his role again, presumably for the upcoming series — albeit “some years ago.” In response, the actor said he’d “love to,” but since then has not heard more. Now, he believes “that ship has sailed.”
Fiennes was then asked for his opinion on who might take the role of Voldemort next, and specifically his thoughts on the casting of Swinton, who has long been linked to the part in fan circles. In response, Fiennes said that the Marvel and Narnia star would be “fantastic.”
While Swinton has long been considered a good fit for Voldemort, it would be interesting to see how the series adapted to her casting. Would Voldemort’s real name still be Tom Marvolo Riddle — from which his Dark Lord moniker was derived?
Tilda Swinton at the premiere of Doctor Strange on October 20, 2016 in Hollywood, California. Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images.
Speaking last month, HBO boss Casey Bloys claimed he didn’t know who was in the running for the role, and said the network had yet to lock down its decision. Peaky Blinders actor Cillian Murphy has meanwhile denied that he would be taking the role, after similar buzz around him.
As for Fiennes, while the actor seemed sure his offer to return as Voldemort would no longer be taken up, he wouldn’t have been the first Harry Potter movie star to reprise his role for the TV series — as Star Wars and Willow actor Warwick Davis will return as Professor Flitwick.
Last month also gave us our first trailer for the Harry Potter series, showing the young actor Dominic McLaughlin in the series’ title role alongside John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, and many, many more.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone TV Show Character Images
With production on the show now confirmed as no longer aiming for an annual launch, HBO is in the curious situation of casting an actor it will likely barely need to use for several years. After cameoing in the first book, Voldemort (as a grown-up) is not seen again until the series’ fourth story, Goblet of Fire — production on which will not likely take place until the end of the current decade, with the series not expected to fully launch all seven of its seasons much before the end of the next decade.
Writing is now underway on the series’ second season, after filming was completed last year on its first, which will include fresh scenes not from the prior movies or books. A recent major set leak gave fans a detailed look at the new Diagon Alley, while HBO has admitted the company is spending big on the show, and making a level of financial investment it normally wouldn’t make.
Image credit: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for BFI.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social