Harry Potter fans think they’ve found HBO’s new Voldemort

HBO has been slowly drip-feeding us news about its upcoming Harry Potter series, ready for a big splash at Christmas. Most of the new cast is now out there, but there’s one very large, snake-faced gap: no word yet on who’s been picked for Voldemort. Given Ralph Fiennes’ pretty much iconic turn in the films, that’s not a small issue. Still, with filming wrapped on the first run of episodes—and Voldemort definitely in the first book—it does leave you wondering who’s donning the floaty robes and lizard make-up this time round.

Ralph Fiennes Says He Hasn’t Had ‘The Call’

A lot of fans (myself included) probably thought, ‘Surely they’ll just ring up Ralph, right?’ Apparently not. Fiennes said himself, rather bluntly, that, quote:

"That ship has sailed."

According to him, no one’s even approached him about coming back as Voldemort, even if he’d have been up for it. On the bright side—if you were hoping for a bit of clean slate between the original films and this new show—you’re in luck. For better or worse, HBO seems to be going for fresh blood.

So Who’s The New Voldemort? My Money's on Luke Thallon

Now, here’s where things get a bit interesting (and a touch nerdy). In the original Philosopher's Stone (yes, ‘Sorcerer’s Stone’ if you must), Voldemort wasn’t just Ralph Fiennes. In fact, Fiennes didn’t even show up until film number four. In the first film, we got Richard Bremmer playing flashback Voldemort, and in the final act, it’s a weird sort of digital Frankenstein job involving Ian Hart (Professor Quirrell) doing the voice and motion reference for the parasitic Voldemort on the back of his own head.

The new HBO series seems to be borrowing from this playbook. Luke Thallon, cast as the new Professor Quirrell, could very well be pulling double duty—playing both the nervous professor and the embedded Voldemort twitching under his turban. It would certainly save on the cost of another actor just for the short scenes in Season 1 and fits perfectly with the in-universe logic: in the early years, Voldemort hasn’t got a body of his own and sort of ‘borrows’ Quirrell’s.

• Ian Hart in the original film both played Quirrell and provided the digital stand-in and voice for Voldemort—so repeating this trick with Thallon would be consistent with the original.
• Luke Thallon is relatively unknown—this is his first major TV role, and what a way to make an entrance (or an exit, given Quirrell’s fate).
• Voldemort’s first appearances really are just a voice, a creepy face, and a whole lot of sinister whispering—hardly worth blowing the Big Reveal budget.

It’s a bit odd that HBO hasn’t bothered to name anyone for such a hefty villain, but this dual role doubles down on the logic from the original films and makes the maths add up for the casting list.

No Rush to Reveal the ‘Real’ Voldemort Yet

Look, Voldemort’s a big part of the first two stories, then basically vanishes until the fourth book—when he comes back with a new body and that ferret-like nose. Since HBO’s clearly sticking to a one-book-per-season structure, there’s a while yet before we need an actor to stalk around pontificating about purebloods. In fact, he only pops up as a sort of ghostly teenager in Season 2, then sits the third one out before that grand resurrection in Season 4.

It wouldn’t really make sense story-wise—or from a fan-service perspective—to introduce the ‘proper’ Voldemort until he’s back in full form. Letting Thallon handle both roles now avoids muddying things up and gives the casting team about three years to work out who’ll be the next face of evil.

And yes, Fiennes has said he’d be open to coming back for a TV version, but currently, there’s nothing to suggest he’s in talks. HBO can take its sweet time and, if they want, spring a surprise when it matters most.