Ralph Fiennes reveals his pick for Voldemort in HBO's 'Harry Potter'

Who will be the next Lord Voldemort? Ralph Fiennes has his pick.

During an April 10 appearance on "The Claudia Winkleman Show," the "Conclave" star, 63, named the actor he thinks should take over his "Harry Potter" role in the upcoming HBO series.

"Tilda Swinton was mentioned somewhere as being a contender, and I think she would be amazing," he said.

Fiennes played Voldemort, the main villain of "Harry Potter," in the original film series that ran from 2001 to 2011, though he did not appear as the character until the fourth installment, "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire."

HBO's "Harry Potter" will be a new adaptation of the original books by J.K. Rowling featuring new actors. Most of the main cast of the series has been announced, though it has not yet been revealed who will play Voldemort.

While appearing on "The Claudia Winkleman Show," Fiennes was asked if he could reprise the role himself. He noted he has long been open to playing Voldemort again but said this is apparently not in the cards.

"I remember being asked the question, once we'd shot the film series, would I reprise the part, and this was some years ago now," he said. "I said, 'Yes, I'd love to.' But then nothing's happened, and I think that ship has sailed."

Some fans have also suggested Oscar-winning "Oppenheimer" star Cillian Murphy could play Voldemort. In January, Fiennes caused some confusion after he suggested on a red carpet that Murphy had already been cast in the role, even though no such announcement had been made. "I think Cillian Murphy's very good," he said, adding, "I think they've cast it, haven't they?" But Fiennes appeared to be mistaken, and Murphy later told The Sunday Times that he is "categorically not" taking on the role.

Murphy also said on the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast in 2025 that there is no truth to the Voldemort casting rumors, and he noted it would be "really hard to follow anything Ralph Fiennes does, because the man is an absolute acting legend. So good luck to whoever is going to fill those shoes."

'Harry Potter' cast for HBO show

The cast of HBO's "Harry Potter" includes Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid. The series premieres Dec. 25.