Cork's Murphy to play Voldemort in HBO's Harry Potter, say Fiennes

Cork’s own Cillian Murphy could be next in line to portray ‘he who shall not be named’ in HBO’s Harry Potter remake.

Actor Ralph Fiennes, who previously played Voldemort in the movie franchise, recently said the Ballintemple native would be “a very good choice” for the villainous role in the upcoming television series.

Mr Fiennes said: 

“I’m told they [the roles] are already filled. I think Cillian Murphy is a very good choice.”

The Cork actor, who won an Oscar in 2024 for his leading role in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, has yet to confirm his involvement in the show.

If cast in the role, Murphy will join Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore.

In addition to his Oscar, Mr Murphy has previously won a Golden Globe, a Bafta, and two Screen Actors Guild awards, and is nominated at this year’s Irish Film and Television Awards for his role in the 2025 Netflix series Steve.