A new frontrunner favourite to play Lord Voledmort in the new Harry Potter TV series has emerged after a snub from Peaky Blinders’ Cillian Murphy.
Confirmed last year and on JK Rowling’s beloved books, the new show, which is being made in a joint venture by streaming service HBO and film and entertainment giant Warner Bros, will depict a new iteration of Harry’s story at Hogwarts.
Earlier this year, Ralph Fiennes – who played Voldemort in the film franchise – addressed his potential successor in an interview on the red carpet for 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.
And while the Oscar nominee, 63, was quick to put Thomas Shelby actor Cillian, 49, in the running, calling him a ‘very good choice’, The Immortal Man star issued a scathing snub towards the opportunity.
The Oppenheimer actor insisted he wasn’t aware his name was even in the mix for the film, given that he keeps himself off social media with minimal online presence.
Addressing speculation he could take the part, Cillian told Variety: ‘No, no, no. It would be very hard to follow Ralph Fiennes.’
A new frontrunner favourite to play Lord Voledmort in the new Harry Potter TV series
Earlier this year, Ralph Fiennes – who played Voldemort in the film franchise – addressed his potential successor and called Cillian Murphy (pictured) a ‘good choice’
When prompted for more as suggestions were made that if he did have the part, he would likely answer the same way, Cillian added: ‘No, I don’t play those games.’
Now, with Cillian safely ruled out, a new front runner in discussions has emerged among fans – who have been busy speculating online.
According to those on social media, Marvel Universe’s J.A.R.V.I.S., Paul Bettany, is now among the favourites to take on the coveted role as the dangerous dark wizard.
Social media scooper Daniel Richtman took to his feed on X, formerly Twitter, to claim that Paul was the ‘favourite’ among bosses at HBO for the role.
Paul, 54, is best known for playing J.A.R.V.I.S. and Vision in the Marvel Universe, including in Disney+ series WandaVision, which earned him an Emmy Award nomination.
Fans went wild over the possibility of him taking on the role, responding on social media, with one writing: ‘He would be the perfect choice!’
Another chimed in to joke: ‘I guess you could say they SEE THE VISION,’ as a third said: ‘That’s actually a phenomenal choice.’
Cillian was previously the latest name to be thrown in the hat for the role, though it is unclear whether former Voldemort actor Ralph had simply believed previous speculation that the Peaky Blinders star would take on the iconic villain.
Paul Bettany, is now among the favourites to take on the coveted role as the dangerous dark wizard
The Oppenheimer star had been placed at odds of 6/1 to be cast as Voldemort, according to industry experts at OLBG (Online Betting Guide).
Cillian later shut down the rumours himself, while on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast – wishing whoever takes on the role ‘luck’.
Acknowledging his children showed him the online buzz, the actor disclosed: ‘I don’t know anything about that.’
He added: ‘Also, it’s just really hard to follow anything Ralph Fiennes does.
‘The man is an absolute acting legend, so good luck to whoever’s gonna fill those shoes.’
Confirmed cast members include John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid.
In May 2025, it was announced that Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton will play the lead roles of Harry, Ron and Hermione.
Producers Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod praised the ‘wonderful’ talent of the three newcomers: ‘After an extraordinary search led by casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann, we are delighted to announce we have found our Harry, Hermione, and Ron.
‘The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen.
In May 2025, it was announced that Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton would will play the lead roles of Harry, Ron and Hermione
‘We would like to thank all the tens of thousands of children who auditioned. It’s been a real pleasure to discover the plethora of young talent out there.’
Elsewhere, it was revealed the makers of the Harry Potter TV series have hired a second child star to play the lead role of the young wizard as the mystery of a new face on set is solved.
The job of playing the boy wizard, who is the lead character from JK Rowling’s books, was originally given to Dominic, who was unveiled in 2025.
It was confirmed that there’s a second Harry on set, a body double to cover for the main star in the HBO adaptation when he’s needed elsewhere to film scenes.
The body double, Isaac Geut, has already appeared on set and stepped in for Dominic when he’s not available for certain scenes.
‘He’s got the perfect mop of thick black hair and boyish looks that’s needed to play the very young Potter,’ an insider told The Sun.
‘In fact he looks so much like him that producers are talking about using him more extensively than previous stand-in actors that have appeared in the movies.
‘That’s how confident they are in him to replicate the appearance of the boy wizard.’
