HBO Casts Voldemort with Twist
The upcoming *Harry Potter* TV series has reportedly cast Voldemort with an unexpected twist, fueling speculation among fans. HBO has also revealed a "red flag" in the Draco Malfoy storyline that has sparked concern about character arcs one full year before the series premieres.
- The reported "twist" is that instead of immediately casting an actor for the physical role, the show has allegedly cast a voice actor for Voldemort first. This aligns with the books, where the villain's full, reconstituted form is not revealed until the fourth installment, *The Goblet of Fire*. - The show is set to premiere in early 2027 and is intended to be a faithful adaptation of the book series, with each of the seven seasons covering one book. The production is a decade-long project for HBO. - Concerns about Draco Malfoy's storyline stem from statements by actor Lox Pratt, who plays Draco, indicating the series will feature new scenes showing Draco's home life. The worry among some fans is that humanizing the character could diminish his role as a key antagonist for Harry. - The series will be led by showrunner Francesca Gardiner, an Emmy-winner for her work on *Succession*, and director Mark Mylod, also known for his work on *Succession* and *Game of Thrones*. - Ralph Fiennes, who famously portrayed Voldemort in the film franchise, fueled casting rumors by suggesting Cillian Murphy would be a "very good choice" and that he believed the role was already filled. Murphy, however, has stated he knows nothing about it. - In the original film series, Fiennes' nephew, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, was cast to play the 11-year-old Tom Riddle in a flashback sequence in *Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince*.
