- Primary Subject: Lord Voldemort casting in the Harry Potter HBO series
- Key Update: While most of the principal cast is already filming in the UK, rumors suggest Voldemort may be played by a voice actor in Season 1, with recent speculation even pointing to auditions being open for both men and women.
- Status: Rumored Claim / In Development
- Last Verified: February 13, 2026
- Quick Answer: Lord Voldemort's physical actor for the HBO reboot remains unconfirmed, with rumors suggesting a voice actor may handle the role until his physical rebirth in later seasons.
The Dark Lord might not be coming anytime soon. Ralph Fiennes had a terrifyingly unforgettable portrayal of Lord Voldemort in the original Harry Potter series, so following his footsteps is undoubtedly no easy feat.
However, considering the reboot's timeline, the first season has its own twist to the tale of his appearance.
How Will Voldemort Make His Appearance in Harry Potter Season 1?
The first season adapts J.K. Rowling's The Philosopher's Stone/The Sorcerer's Stone, which doesn't technically show much of the villain's face. Instead, we only saw him unraveled during Harry's confrontation with Professor Quirrell, where the Dark Lord's face was plastered on the back of the traitor's head.
Still, with the first season being the introduction to the new cast and retelling of the story, fans expected to cower in fear upon setting their eyes on Lord Voldemort. So, what gives?
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Apparently, while every major Harry Potter role had seemingly been cast, there is no word on Voldemort. At least, apart from a claim from reputable insider Daniel Richtman (via SFFGazette): "They've already cast the voice actor for Voldemort in the Harry Potter series."
This might be a headscratcher. Now, why on earth would the reboot only cast Voldemort as a voice actor? Well, this lines up with the books. It would seem that the reboot will be building Voldemort piece by piece (from his voice to his underdeveloped bodies) before they actually reveal his reborn form. Take this news with a pinch of salt, for now.
Certainly, it would be interesting to keep fans guessing, seeing how Voldemort's demeanor would affect the kids on their journey in Hogwarts.
Lord Voldemort is Not the Only Harry Potter Villain Getting Revamped
Meanwhile, the other major villain in the Wizarding World is the Malfoys, but most prominently, their spoiled brat and entitled son, Draco. With Lord Voldemort not being in the picture yet, the first season will set up Draco to be the school bully that Harry, Ron, and Hermione face upon coming to Hogwarts.
One of the main problems fans had with the original film franchise is that there were some sidelined stories from Rowling's works that deserved to shine on-screen. One of those details is how Draco eventually turned into a "villain" alongside his father, Lucius Malfoy.
"You get to see Draco at home. I won't spoil too much about that, but there are some brilliant scenes at home where you start to get an insight into how he is," Lox Pratt, the actor who will be taking on the Draco role in the reboot, recently told 1883 Magazine.
Pratt went on to add that the Draco we saw in the films had mostly been "2-dimensional", given the lack of screentime to explore his character in full. Perhaps, as the reboot promised, viewers would empathize more with the new Draco.
Meanwhile, fans can expect the Harry Potter reboot premiere sometime in early 2027.
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