2027 will mark the 30th anniversary of the release of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, the book that launched what we now know as the Wizarding World franchise. This milestone makes it even more fitting that in the same year, J.K. Rowling’s beloved fantasy saga will also be adapted for the small screen. HBO’s Harry Potter TV show is currently in production, with 2025 being a busy year for casting announcements. Now, a new rumor has emerged about the upcoming adaptation that has captured attention.
As we move into the early months of 2026, reports suggest that Tilda Swinton is being considered for the role of Voldemort in the Harry Potter TV series. Voldemort, also known as Tom Riddle, is the primary antagonist of the original Harry Potter books and films. Ian Hart voiced the character in The Sorcerer’s Stone movie, while Christian Coulson portrayed a younger version of Tom Riddle in The Chamber of Secrets. Ralph Fiennes took on the role of the Dark Lord in The Goblet of Fire, The Order of the Phoenix, and both parts of The Deathly Hallows. Additionally, Hero Fiennes Tiffin and Frank Dillane played younger versions of Tom Riddle in The Half-Blood Prince.
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Gender-bending characters from the source material has become increasingly common in film and television adaptations in recent years. Tilda Swinton, who recently appeared in the Colin Farrell-led thriller Ballad of a Small Player, has experience with this approach. She previously played a white female version of The Ancient One, who is depicted as an Asian man in the comics, in Doctor Strange and Avengers: Endgame. Her fantasy credentials also include her role as the White Witch in the first two Chronicles of Narnia movies.
However, it’s important to note that this is still just a rumor, so fans shouldn’t get too excited yet. With the TV show expected to debut in early 2025, more details about the cast are likely to emerge this year. If Tilda Swinton does end up playing Voldemort, it would be interesting to see how her portrayal differs from Ralph Fiennes’ version—especially since she would be portraying the character as a woman—while still staying true to the written descriptions.
As for the actors confirmed to be in the Harry Potter TV show, the core trio of Harry, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger will be played by Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout, and Arabella Stanton, respectively. Other main cast members include John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Papa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid. Many recurring roles have also been announced, including Warwick Davis reprising his role as Filius Flitwick from the films.
Stay tuned for updates on how the Harry Potter TV show is shaping up, including whether or not the Tilda Swinton rumor proves to be true. The idea of her being transformed to have the same snake-like appearance as Ralph Fiennes in the movies sounds intriguing. You can also stream the original Harry Potter movies through an HBO Max or Peacock subscription.
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