Harry Potter fans are buzzing—and not always in a good way. HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series, set to stream in 2027, has reportedly started filming, but casting news is sending the fandom into a frenzy. While Dominic McLaughlin will play Harry, Alastair Stout is Ron, and Arabella Stanton takes on Hermione, rumours have emerged that the iconic villain, Voldemort, could be played by a female actor. Fans are divided, sparking heated debates online.
The casting scoop first surfaced via Daily Mail, citing a tweet from Daniel Richtman, which revealed that HBO is auditioning both male and female actors for the role of Voldemort. Originally portrayed by Ralph Fiennes in the 2005–2011 films, the character’s possible gender swap has ignited a storm of reactions across social media.
Netizens are furious
The internet quickly erupted with anger and confusion over the news. Many fans questioned the series’ fidelity to the original books, pointing out that Voldemort’s identity as Tom Marvolo Riddle and the famous anagram are central to the story. Some expressed disbelief at the idea of a female Voldemort, joking about how a Horcrux could now be a tiara or dubbing the character “Lady She Who Must Not Be Named.”
Reddit users weighed in as well, with some emphasising that while they aren’t usually bothered by modern “woke” takes, remakes come with expectations of familiarity. Others speculated that a female actor might simply be portraying Tom Riddle in a reverse Shakespeare-style approach, suggesting performers like Tilda Swinton for the role.
The casting scoop first surfaced via Daily Mail, citing a tweet from Daniel Richtman, which revealed that HBO is auditioning both male and female actors for the role of Voldemort. Originally portrayed by Ralph Fiennes in the 2005–2011 films, the character’s possible gender swap has ignited a storm of reactions across social media.
They’re auditioning both men and women for Voldemort so it’s possible we could see a female Voldemort in the Harry Potter series! pic.twitter.com/3Wbr7DsrWY
— Daniel Richtman (@DanielRPK) September 21, 2025
Netizens are furious
The internet quickly erupted with anger and confusion over the news. Many fans questioned the series’ fidelity to the original books, pointing out that Voldemort’s identity as Tom Marvolo Riddle and the famous anagram are central to the story. Some expressed disbelief at the idea of a female Voldemort, joking about how a Horcrux could now be a tiara or dubbing the character “Lady She Who Must Not Be Named.”
I present to you Lady “She who must not be named” Voldemort! #HarryPotter #Voldermort #chrissyspopculturecorner pic.twitter.com/xXtbihEE4H
— Chrissy’s Pop Culture Corner™️ (@realpopchrissy) September 22, 2025
Reddit users weighed in as well, with some emphasising that while they aren’t usually bothered by modern “woke” takes, remakes come with expectations of familiarity. Others speculated that a female actor might simply be portraying Tom Riddle in a reverse Shakespeare-style approach, suggesting performers like Tilda Swinton for the role.
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