Harry Potter fans have another upcoming project to look forward to besides the upcoming HBO adaptation, and a popular actor is voicing the unforgettable villain Lord Voldemort.
HBO’s TV adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s book series was announced in the spring of 2023, and in recent months, several big updates have been shared, including photos of the new actors taking on these iconic characters. Although audiences never saw Voldemort until the fourth film in the franchise, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, it’s possible that this character could appear right away in the HBO series. According to Redanian Intelligence.com (via CBR.com), HBO has chosen their Voldemort, but viewers won’t know who is playing him until the show premieres. However, there’s a new project in the works, and a talented star has been chosen as He Who Must Not Be Named.
Variety reported that Audible is releasing seven audiobooks in a collection called Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions. Matthew Macfadyen is voicing Lord Voldemort, and the rest of the cast is star-studded. Cush Jumbo is narrating the audiobooks, Michelle Gomez is voicing the hilarious and tough Professor McGonagall, and Riz Ahmed is voicing the memorable Professor Snape. Hugh Laurie is also voicing Albus Dumbledore.
It will be fascinating to hear Macfayden’s portrayal of Voldemort, and fans are still curious about who is going to play the villain in the HBO series. Back in 2024, Ralph Fiennes, who portrayed the character in the film franchise, said on Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live that Cillian Murphy should take on the role. Murphy’s impressive resume that includes the eerie 28 Days Later and the gripping drama Oppenheimer proves that he can take on pretty much any role, and it’s easy to imagine him as Voldemort. Fiennes has talked quite a lot about the upcoming HBO Harry Potter TV adaptation and even shared some wisdom about Voldemort’s clothing when speaking to Entertainment Tonight via TikTok.
Macfayden is a great choice to take on Voldemort. Besides playing Tom Wambsgans on Succession, the actor played Mr. Paradox in Deadpool & Wolverine, and appeared in various period pieces such as 2012’s Anna Karenina and 2010’s Robin Hood. Voldemort is definitely a big and commanding presence in the movies, and there’s no doubt that he will be just as scary and creepy in the Audible series.
See Audible’s Harry Potter series release schedule here:
Arabella Stanton is not only portraying Hermione Granger in HBO’s Harry Potter adaptation, but she will also voice the beloved and smart Hogwarts student in Audible’s series. Max Lester will voice Ron Weasley, and Harry Potter himself will be voiced by Frankie Treadaway. It will definitely be fun to hear Stanton’s voice in this new project.
An Audible series is a great way for fans to revisit the beloved story of young Harry, his newfound powers, and his magical journey as a Hogwarts student. While there’s still a long wait for the HBO series, as it won’t be released until 2027, at least fans can enjoy a new take on Harry’s tale starting in November. In the meantime, fans can continue to come up with theories about what storylines could be featured. And, of course, it’s also fun to try to guess who’s going to play Voldemort.
J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part Two
Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Alan Rickman, Michael Gambon, Ralph Fiennes, Maggie Smith, Robbie Coltrane
January 1, 2022
HBO Max
Source: Variety.com
