Rumors had cast a spell on the internet, suggesting He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named might attach itself to Cillian Murphy next. Eyes as sharp as knives, face as a chameleon, Murphy was projected by digital theorists and enthusiasts alike to be assuming the role of Voldemort for HBO's upcoming Harry Potter series. However, the iconic Irish thespian himself has now cleared the murky air of confusion and anticipation.

Reimagining one of fantasy's darkest symbols, Lord Voldemort, is in itself a task of immense responsibility. To envision Murphy in that role evokes a quiet gasp: Is there smoke with substance? 

Cillian Murphy explicitly squashed speculation that he had landed the role of Lord Voldemort in HBO's upcoming Harry Potter TV series. When Variety enquired him about the same, he simply said, "No, no, no. It would be very hard to follow Ralph Fiennes." Citing big shoes left by Ralph Fiennes to be filled, he also said he did not know anything during a recent Happy Sad Confused podcast interview. The part of Lord Voldemort was most emblematically played in the movie franchise by Fiennes, whose chilly intensity grounded his terror, solidifying him as one of the great villains of contemporary cinema.

Murphy admitted to the gravity of playing the character, already immortalized by Ralph Fiennes' iconic interpretation of the Dark Lord. When pressed by Variety further to reveal the true status of his rumored Voldemort casting, he firmly said, "No, I don’t play those games." Early rumors had paired Murphy as a potential inheritor of Voldemort's mantle, driven by betting odds and online speculation. There were also reports recalling Fiennes and Harry Potter director Chris Columbus having praised Murphy as a leading contender. However, Murphy now laid all the rumors to rest while anticipation for the show keeps skyrocketing.

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To portray any of the Harry Potter characters, not just Voldemort, is to grapple with legacy, a herculean task that HBO has taken on.

The HBO Harry Potter TV series, produced by showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod, is structured to bring every book to life as its own season, with added in-depth character development, world-building, friendships, and greater insights into theories. Its cast announced thus far features Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, alongside John Lithgow as Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Snape, and Nick Frost as Hagrid. 

The other castings include Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander, Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom, Louise Brealey as Madam Rolanda Hooch, Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley, Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy, Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy, Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley, Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley, and Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley. While Cillian Murphy broke his silence to dismiss claims of involvement in the series, HBO has yet to announce its Lord Voldemort. And since his complete bodily presence is not seen until later in the canon, his casting announcement could be held off until later seasons.

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Who would you like to see as the next Lord Voldemort since Cillian Murphy is out of the race? Tell us in the comments below.