Cillian Murphy Responds To Online Speculation About Voldemort Role

Cillian Murphy has stepped in to stop the rumors himself. According to a recent interview with The Times, the actor says he is not playing Lord Voldemort in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter TV series.

The talk around Murphy started picking up online earlier this year, with fans pushing the idea that he could take on the famous villain. But Murphy says there is nothing to it. Speaking to The Times, he shut it down quickly and clearly.

I’m categorically not, he said, adding with a laugh that he hoped that sentence would become the headline. Murphy also used the moment to explain how strange he finds fame in general. He said he does not enjoy the pressure that comes with public attention and tries to avoid getting pulled into celebrity culture.

Can you make that the headline? He joked, before saying he prefers to stay focused on work rather than red carpets or online chatter. He described himself as a normal person who is not very good at playing a public figure.

This is not the first time the rumor has come up. Murphy has mentioned before that his kids sometimes show him fan posts linking him to Voldemort. Still, he says there has never been any real talk behind the scenes.

He also made a point to praise Ralph Fiennes, who originally played the character in the Harry Potter films. Murphy called him an acting legend and said stepping into that role would be a huge task for anyone.

Interestingly, Fiennes himself has spoken kindly about the idea in the past. In a 2024 interview, he said he would support Murphy if the casting ever happened. Even with that blessing, Murphy says he is not involved in the project in any way.

The future Voldemort remains a mystery. Reports from Redanian Intelligence claim the role has already been cast and will appear across several episodes. HBO has not confirmed this and is keeping all casting details tightly locked down as the show moves toward its planned 2027 release.

Some rumors have also linked Murphy to Professor Quirrell, but there has been no confirmation on that either. Away from the wizarding world, Murphy is staying very busy. He is about to return as Tommy Shelby in the film Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man.

The movie opens in select theaters on March 6 before landing on Netflix on March 20. It is set during World War II and includes cast members Barry Keoghan, Rebecca Ferguson, and Tim Roth.

Murphy is also working on Blood Runs Coal, a historical drama where he plays a lawyer fighting for workers’ rights while also producing the project. On top of that, he is involved in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, a sequel connected to 28 Days Later. The film is directed by Nia DaCosta and written by Alex Garland.

Have something to add? Share your thoughts in the comments.