- Primary Subject: Paul Bettany's response to Lord Voldemort casting rumors
- Key Update: During the Saturn Awards, Paul Bettany addressed the rumors that he has been cast as Lord Voldemort in HBO’s Harry Potter series.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: March 9, 2026
- Quick Answer: Paul Bettany denied playing Voldemort in HBO's Harry Potter series, stating that while he’s a fan of the franchise, "nobody has called me up."
Paul Bettany has finally set the record straight on the rumors that he is set to play Voldemort in HBO's highly anticipated Harry Potter series.
One of the casting fans have been looking forward to is who will play the iconic villain in the TV series adaptation of J.K. Rowling's book series. Several names have been attached to the rumor, including Bettany and Cillian Murphy. So far, HBO has not announced any casting for the role.
Is Paul Bettany Playing Voldemort in the Harry Potter Series?
Speaking with Screen Rant recently during the Saturn Awards, Bettany was asked about the rumors that he will be playing Voldemort in HBO's TV series adaptation of Harry Potter.
He denied the speculations that he would be playing the iconic villain, but noted that he is a fan of the franchise.
"I haven't heard anything about that. I mean, I'm a big fan of the IP, and I'm a big fan of HBO, but nobody has called me up about it," the MCU star said.
Bettany's denial comes as Cillian Murphy has also refuted the rumors recently that he is set to play the Harry Potter villain.
"No, my kids show me it occasionally, but no, I don’t know anything about that. I mean, also, it’s just really hard to follow anything Ralph Fiennes does. The man is an absolute acting legend. So, good luck to whoever is going to fill those shoes," the Oscar winner said.
For now, fans should stay tuned for news and updates regarding the Voldemort casting in the Harry Potter series, since the rumors that we've been hearing so far are not true after all.
What to Expect in the Harry Potter Series
The HBO series reboot of Harry Potter is currently in production in the UK, with plans to premiere the eight-episode first season in 2027. Each season will cover one book in the Rowling novel series.
The main cast includes Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Strout, Arabella Stanton, John Lithgow, Janet McTeer, Paapa Essiedu, Nick Frost, Bertie Carvel, Johnny Flynn, Bel Powley, and many more. Francesca Gardiner serves as the showrunner.
Warwick Davis is also confirmed to be part of the TV series and will be reprising the role of Professor Filius Flitwick. He's the only cast member so far returning from the original films in the same role.
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