By Pavethran Batmanathen
Cillian Murphy fans have been actively speculating about the possibility of the Oppenheimer star taking on the role of Voldemort in the upcoming Harry Potter television series. The buzz has gained traction as fans weigh in on their dream cast for the much-anticipated project.
The forthcoming HBO series, set to span seven seasons, is expected to closely follow the structure of J.K. Rowling’s best-selling books, with each season dedicated to one of the novels in the Harry Potter series.
As casting details are slowly being released, fans online have begun discussing potential actors for key roles, and Cillian Murphy’s name frequently pops up in discussions about who could play the infamous villain, Voldemort.A popular Harry Potter fan page on X (formerly known as Twitter) even claimed that there were “rumors” swirling that Murphy was being considered for the role, though no official confirmation or casting announcement has been made yet.
This speculation sparked lively discussions across social media, with many expressing their enthusiasm at the idea of Murphy taking on the role of one of literature’s most iconic villains. One fan wrote, “Cillian Murphy as Voldemort? That’s a game-changer!” Another fan chimed in, “Perfect casting if you ask me.” A third fan shared their thoughts, writing, “I can totally see Cillian Murphy as Tom Riddle/Voldemort in the new Harry Potter TV series. He’d nail it perfectly.”
Another fan added that they believed Murphy would bring an “interesting and unique take” to the character, showing excitement over the prospect of seeing the actor bring a fresh interpretation to the role.Meanwhile, other significant casting news has been revealed for the upcoming series.
Just last week, a casting call went out for the primary stars of the show. HBO is currently searching for actors to portray Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley, the central trio in the story. According to a casting advert circulating on social media, they are specifically looking for children between the ages of nine and 11 as of April 2025, who are residents of the UK or Ireland.
The casting notice also emphasizes inclusivity, stating that the series will consider actors from all races, ethnicities, and gender identities for the roles. However, this inclusivity statement has sparked some debate among fans, with a few expressing opposition online.The application process asks aspiring young actors to submit two self-tapes.
The first tape should feature the applicant reading a short poem or story – though not something from the Harry Potter books – and the second tape should be a brief video introducing themselves. In this personal video, applicants are asked to share their birth date, height, and location, as well as describe a family member, friend, or pet to whom they are especially close.
HBO encourages the applicants to use their natural accent, and the video is to be kept under one minute in length. The deadline for submitting these tapes is October 31, 2024.HBO has confirmed that filming for the Harry Potter series will take place in the UK between 2025 and 2026, leaving fans in anticipation of what’s to come.J.K. Rowling, the creator of the Harry Potter universe, is also involved in the series’ development.
However, her involvement has not been without controversy. In recent years, Rowling has faced backlash for her public remarks concerning the transgender community, and this has caused tension between the author and parts of the fan base. Several key cast members from the original Harry Potter film series, including Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) and Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), have publicly distanced themselves from Rowling’s comments, expressing their support for the trans community.
Rowling, in response, stated that she does not forgive the actors for speaking out against her.Despite the controversy, excitement remains high for the new Harry Potter TV series. With speculation about casting choices like Cillian Murphy as Voldemort fueling discussion, fans are eagerly awaiting further announcements as the project continues to take shape.
