Ralph Fiennes confirms he won’t return as Lord Voldemort in HBO’s Harry Potter reboot, leaving fans both disappointed and curious about who will take on the iconic role.

September 13, 2025: As excitement builds around the upcoming Harry Potter TV reboot, fans have been busy dream-casting their favorite characters. One name that kept coming up for the role of Lord Voldemort was British actor Ralph Fiennes, who famously portrayed the Dark Lord in the original film series. However, Fiennes has officially ruled himself out of reprising the role, leaving many fans disappointed.

Fiennes on Returning to Voldemort

Speaking in a recent interview, Fiennes acknowledged the fan enthusiasm but confirmed that he has no plans to return as Voldemort for the TV adaptation. “It was a huge privilege to play Voldemort, but that chapter is closed for me,” the actor said. “The series deserves a fresh interpretation with new talent.”

Fans React Online

The news sparked immediate reactions across social media. Many fans expressed disappointment, calling Fiennes the “definitive Voldemort” and saying it’s hard to imagine anyone else bringing the same chilling presence to the character. Others, however, welcomed the chance for a new actor to bring a different take to one of literature’s most iconic villains.

The Future of the Reboot

Warner Bros. has yet to announce casting details for the highly anticipated HBO series, which is set to re-adapt J.K. Rowling’s books with an entirely new cast. While fans may not get their “dream Voldemort,” the announcement only adds to the intrigue surrounding the reboot and who will ultimately step into the role of the Dark Lord.