New ‘Harry Potter’ TV Series Won’t Be a “Faithful Adaptation” as Promised

HBO’s Harry Potter TV series could be about to shake the fanbase to its core.

According to reliable scooper Daniel Richtman (via SFFGazette.com), the upcoming reboot is eyeing both male and female actors for the role of Lord Voldemort (AKA Tom Riddle).

“For the Harry Potter show, they’re auditioning both men and women for Voldemort, so it’s possible we could see a female Voldemort in the series.”

Such a casting would dramatically shift the perception of the franchise’s most iconic villain. While Ralph Fiennes made the character terrifying in the films, a female portrayal would undoubtedly bring a new twist to Voldemort’s presence in J.K. Rowling’s beloved saga.

The series has already announced a large ensemble cast. John Lithgow plays Albus Dumbledore, Nick Frost takes on Hagrid, Paul Whitehouse is Argus Filch, Katherine Parkinson is Molly Weasley, and Janet McTeer is Minerva McGonagall. Younger actors include Alastair Stout as Ron, Arabella Stanton as Hermione, Dominic McLaughlin as Harry. These are just a handful of the many actors already confirmed; however, fans are eager to find out who will play the most powerful dark wizard (or witch) of all time.

Fans have responded positively to the majority of these roles. Set photos show actors in full costumes faithful to Rowling’s novels, generating excitement that the series will honor the source material. But despite this, Paapa Essiedu’s casting as Snape has sparked debate.

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While the books describe Snape as having a “large, hooked nose” and “sallow skin,” his ethnicity is never explicitly stated. Online discourse points to the character’s traditional portrayal by Alan Rickman, and some fans have accused the studio of “race-swapping”.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with casting a Black actor as a character previously portrayed as White, but this still suggests that the reboot will not be a “faithful adaptation” of Rowling’s books as previously promised. And if Voldemort turns out to be female, then it’s clear HBO and Warner Bros. weren’t being honest about fully honoring the books.

Either way, while the new Snape actor has been revealed, HBO is clearly keeping Voldemort’s casting tightly under wraps for now. Sources told Rednian Intelligence earlier this year that the actor is already cast but will remain secret until the 2027 premiere.

But how might a female Voldemort shape the series? And what would this mean for other characters yet to be cast? Will Bellatrix Lestrange be a male character? One thing’s for sure — if the Dark Lord is female, it would certainly leave many fans scratching their heads. Not only that, but it would completely transform the story of Harry Potter as we know it.

The series is set to premiere in 2027 on HBO and HBO Max.

Would you like to see a female Lord Voldemort? Let us know what you think in the comments down below!