“Won’t Be Watching”: Harry Potter Fans Fume Over Alleged Cynthia Erivo Casting As Lord Voldemort

Most of the actors set to star in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series have already been revealed. However, one major character remains a mystery: Lord Voldemort.

According to unconfirmed reports circulating on social media, Cynthia Erivo could be in talks to portray the Dark Lord in the series.

Speculation about HBO’s interest in the Wicked actress stems from a report by entertainment insider Daniel Richtman, who claimed the network is auditioning both men and women for the role.

Cynthia Erivo posing with long colorful nails, reportedly in talks to play Lord Voldemort, sparking fan reactions.

Cynthia Erivo could play Lord Voldemort in the HBO Harry Potter series, according to unconfirmed reports

Image credits: Mike Coppola/Getty Images

The villain was originally played by British actor Ralph Fiennes in the Harry Potter films.

Fans have been creating AI images reimagining Cynthia as Lord— or Lady—Voldemort, amplifying whispers of her casting that began in September 2025.

Close-up of Lord Voldemort with hands raised, related to Cynthia Erivo allegedly in talks to play the character.

Image credits: HBO MAX

Text discussing the possibility of a female or biologically female actor playing Lord Voldemort in a show.

Reactions to the potential casting have been mixed, with some expressing excitement and praising the 38-year-old Brit’s talent, while others are upset at the idea of gender-swapping the role instead of staying true to J.K. Rowling’s original source material.

“I’m a huge Harry Potter fan, and I could have tolerated the black Snape but this is too much. I won’t be watching it if this happens,” one person wrote.

“They gender swap and color-swap the villains, but not the heroes? Come on now,” another expressed.

“@jk_rowling please don’t do this to us!” implored a third.

Fans are already making AI images that reimagine Cynthia as the Harry Potter villain

Cynthia Erivo in dark costume as Lord Voldemort, holding a wand in a dimly lit stone corridor for Harry Potter series.

Image credits: dom_lucre

“If this is real, I’m back in!” shared another fan.

One Potterhead said Cynthia is “perfect” for the role, while someone else added, “10/10 would watch.”

“Voldemort is actually a fairly androgynous character – he’s described as having a ‘high, cold voice’, and his features are not human. At that point, it doesn’t really matter who plays him as long as they encompass the character,” wrote another fan.

Screenshot of an online comment reacting to Cynthia Erivo allegedly in talks to play Lord Voldemort, sparking a meltdown.

HBO building exterior at night with illuminated logo, related to Cynthia Erivo talks to play Lord Voldemort news.

Image credits: Maciej Drążkiewicz/Unsplash (not the actual photo)

Text discussing Voldemort as an androgynous character and speculation on casting choices for the role.

Screenshot of an online comment discussing creative freedoms and reactions to Cynthia Erivo allegedly playing Lord Voldemort.

Others wondered what a potential female version of the villain would be called, and how the Tom Marvolo Riddle anagram would work if the character was Lady Voldemort instead of Lord Voldemort. 

Translators have addressed this issue by changing Tom’s name rather than Voldemort’s (like Tom Sorvolo Ryddle to spell out Soy Lord Voldemort in Spanish), so it remains to be seen whether the new script would potentially incorporate a similar change to preserve this famous part of the book.

The role was originally played by Ralph Fiennes in the Harry Potter films

Split image of Lord Voldemort and Cynthia Erivo in dark green robes holding wands, related to Voldemort casting talks.

Image credits: HBO MAX/TG Imitandup

Additionally, some questioned whether Cynthia, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, would want to be involved in the J.K. Rowling-produced project and what implications it could have for her career, given the author’s views on trans rights.

According to the International Business Times, the role of Voldemort has not yet been announced because early appearances in the first season may involve visual effects or voice work.

At the time of writing, HBO has made no official statements regarding the role.

Comment complaining about Cynthia Erivo allegedly in talks to play Lord Voldemort, sparking fan backlash.

Text saying if only Harry Potter had a strong female villain like Bellatrix or Umbridge, referencing Cynthia Erivo and Lord Voldemort talks.

Cynthia has played many eclectic roles throughout her career, including Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West in Wicked, abolitionist Harriet Tubman in Harriet, and the title role in a revival of Jesus Christ Superstar.

She is the recipient of several accolades, having won Emmy, Grammy, and Tony awards.

The speculation surrounding the role of Lord Voldemort follows HBO’s decision to cast Paapa Essiedu, a Black actor, as Severus Snape.

Cynthia Erivo in a yellow satin blazer with butterfly embroidery, expressive pose, sparking Lord Voldemort casting talks.

Image credits: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Comment text about Cynthia Erivo allegedly in talks to play Lord Voldemort, sparking fan reactions and controversy online.

Snape, originally portrayed by the late Alan Rickman in the Harry Potter films, is described in the books as a “thin man with sallow skin, a large, hooked nose, and yellow, uneven teeth.”

The character “has shoulder-length, greasy black hair which frames his face, and cold, black eyes.”

Snape’s race is never specified in the books, but, as fan Kaizen D. Asiedu pointed out in a viral video, Rowling includes terms that wouldn’t be used to describe a Black person.

HBO is reportedly auditioning both male and female actors for the role

Lord Voldemort casting a spell with intense expression, wearing dark robes in a dramatic, misty setting.

Image credits: HBO MAX

While many celebrated the decision to add diversity to an all-white cast, others criticized it, arguing it would introduce elements to the story that weren’t originally included by the author.

Specifically, fans were concerned that casting Paapa might affect the character dynamics between James Potter and Snape, with the scenes of Harry’s father bullying Snape now taking on racial undertones.

The rest of the cast has also been announced. Dominic McLaughlin, who will portray the titular Hogwarts wizard, said he received a letter of support from Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter in the eight-movie franchise. The 11-year-old called it “insane” to have received his encouragement.

Online comment expressing rejection of Cynthia Erivo allegedly in talks to play Lord Voldemort, sparking fan meltdown.

Cynthia Erivo wearing a black leather jacket, smiling confidently during an indoor interview about Lord Voldemort role talks.

Image credits: Sarel

Alastair Stout will star as Ron Weasley, while Arabella Stanton will play Hermione Granger.

Nick Frost has been cast as Rubeus Hagrid, John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, and Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall.

The HBO series is designed to run over a decade. Casey Bloys, CEO of HBO and Max Content, called the show a “faithful adaptation” of Rowling’s work that will “dive deep into each of the iconic books.”

The first season of the fantasy series is set to be released on HBO in early 2027.

“This would actually be perfect for her,” one fan wrote, while others were not too excited about the potential casting

Screenshot of a tweet discussing Cynthia Erivo allegedly in talks to play Lord Voldemort, sparking fan reactions.

Image credits: DrCrypto911

A tweet from user @TracyHoyosLopez urging @jk_rowling not to cast Cynthia Erivo as Lord Voldemort, sparking fan reactions.

Image credits: TracyHoyosLopez

Tweet discussing Hollywood’s tendency to reboot stories after Cynthia Erivo allegedly linked to playing Lord Voldemort role.

Image credits: RealIggyLibre

Screenshot of a tweet reacting to Cynthia Erivo allegedly in talks to play Lord Voldemort, sparking fan meltdown.

Image credits: emilyjuniper_

Tweet discussing Cynthia Erivo allegedly in talks to play Lord Voldemort, sparking reactions online.

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Tweet reacting to Cynthia Erivo allegedly in talks to play Lord Voldemort, expressing concern over changing the character.

Image credits: lexjlu

Tweet expressing disbelief about Cynthia Erivo allegedly in talks to play Lord Voldemort, sparking fan reactions.

Image credits: Ghosttberry

Tweet about diversity and race-swapping in stories, responding to Cynthia Erivo Lord Voldemort casting talks.

Image credits: Nhlalala_m2

Screenshot of a Twitter reply discussing Cynthia Erivo allegedly in talks to play Lord Voldemort, sparking meltdown.

Image credits: GODSempress007

Screenshot of a tweet discussing Cynthia Erivo allegedly in talks to play Lord Voldemort, sparking fan reactions.

Image credits: zapSJosh

Screenshot of a tweet reacting to Cynthia Erivo allegedly in talks to play Lord Voldemort, sparking a fan meltdown.

Image credits: justsumchiik

Screenshot of a Twitter reply expressing disapproval of Cynthia Erivo allegedly being cast as Lord Voldemort.

Image credits: Simbastinks

Screenshot of a tweet criticizing Hollywood's creativity amid Cynthia Erivo talks to play Lord Voldemort backlash.

Image credits: QqQuizz

Tweet by RetroGamerKong reacting to Cynthia Erivo allegedly in talks to play Lord Voldemort, sparking fan reactions online.

Image credits: RetroGamerKong

Screenshot of a Twitter reply by Jon Del Arroz reacting to Cynthia Erivo allegedly in talks to play Lord Voldemort.

Image credits: jondelarroz

Tweet from The Lemon commenting on potential savings in makeup and special effects related to Cynthia Erivo in talks to play Lord Voldemort.

Image credits: Sir_SourLemon

Tweet discussing Cynthia Erivo’s potential casting as Lord Voldemort and fans’ reactions to the rumor online.

Image credits: BackKing2018

User Jmay replying to a tweet, commenting humorously about Cynthia Erivo talks to play Lord Voldemort.

Image credits: jmay111

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