After many novels and films released from 2005-2011, the Harry Potter franchise is not over. The original films were released over a decade ago, and now J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azakaban) has teamed up with HBO for the Harry Potter television series. According to Comicbook.com, actor Ralph Fiennes (The Avengers, 28 Years Later), who played the villain, He Who Must Not be Named, has some insights for the next actor to play the Dark Lord Voldemort.
Surprisingly, Fiennes’ words of wisdom for the next, “He Who Must Not Be Named,” were on his wardrobe. According to Comicbook.com, in the films, Fiennes wore nothing but long black robes, which apparently got very heavy during the long filming days. Fiennes told Entertainment Tonight, “Make sure you can handle the long, flowing robes and don’t trip over them. Practice your long, flowing robe walk.”
Comicbook.com reports Oscar-winning actor Cillian Murphy seems to be the top pick for the new Voldemort. Murphy won his Oscar for his lead role in 2023’s Oppenheimer and is set to reprise his role in a Peaky Blinders film for Netflix.
According to Comicbook.com, cast members who will play the three main roles are newcomers Dominic McLaughlin as Harry, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, and Arabella Stenton as Hermione Granger. All three actors are young newbies to television. Headmaster Albus Dumbledore will be played by John Lithgow (Dexter, Conclave). He will be joined by fellow actors Janet McTeer (Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning, The Menu), Paapa Essiedu (The Outrun, Genie), and Nick Frost (Grow, How to Train Your Dragon), who will be playing the other professors at the Hogwarts School of Magic.
Harry Potter fans do not want to miss the premiere set for 2026 on HBO and HBO Max.