AceShowbiz - Cillian Murphy, known for his role as Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders, has firmly denied rumors that he will portray Lord Voldemort in the upcoming Harry Potter television series produced by Warner Bros. and set to stream on HBO.

The buzz surrounding the new adaptation has sparked significant speculation about casting choices, particularly who will take on the iconic villainous role originally played by Ralph Fiennes in the Harry Potter film franchise. Despite persistent rumors linking Murphy to the part, he clarified the situation in a recent interview with The Times, stating emphatically, "I'm categorically not." He even requested that his denial be made the headline, showing his desire to put the rumors to rest.

This is not the first time Murphy has addressed the speculation. Last year, he expressed admiration for Fiennes, calling him an "absolute acting legend" and acknowledged how difficult it would be to follow in his footsteps as Voldemort. Such comments further emphasize Murphy’s respect for the original portrayal and his unwillingness to take on the role.

The new Harry Potter series began production quietly in 2025, with plans to adapt the entire Wizarding World story over multiple seasons. The first season will cover the events of The Philosopher’s Stone and is expected to premiere in early 2027. The series aims to stay true to J.K. Rowling’s original material, while exploring previously untold moments that the films did not have time to include.

Fans will see a fresh cast portraying the beloved characters. Dominic McLaughlin will star as Harry Potter, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, and Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger to form the new Golden Trio. Veteran actors will also join the cast, including John Lithgow as Professor Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Nick Frost as Hagrid, and Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall. Additionally, Warwick Davis, who played both Charms Professor Flitwick and the Goblin Griphook in the original films, returns in his former roles, providing a link to the previous series.

Warner Bros. is taking advantage of the television format to expand the storytelling, allowing for a deeper dive into the Wizarding World’s lore and character development. By filming each season annually, the producers hope to maintain the authenticity of the characters’ ages and keep the story consistent.

While the search for a new Voldemort continues to generate conversations, the official casting for the character remains unconfirmed. The production team’s choices for this crucial role will be closely watched by fans eager to see how the dark wizard’s story unfolds in this new adaptation.

For those interested in revisiting the original films, the entire Harry Potter movie series remains available for streaming on HBO Max. Meanwhile, updates on the new series will be provided regularly by entertainment outlets such as Collider.

Makuochi Echebiri, a news writer for Collider, contributed insights to this report. His passion for storytelling and historical epics enriches his coverage of film and television developments, including this highly anticipated project.