Ralph Fiennes explains why he isn't playing Voldemort again in new Harry Potter series

Ralph Fiennes has revealed why he will not be reprising his role of Voldemort in the HBO reboot of Harry Potter.

Fiennes took on the role of Voldemort in the Warner Bros films, beginning with the fourth film Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, up until the final instalment.

The cast of the new show has mostly been confirmed now, but the actor taking on the role of the villain has yet to be announced.

This has sparked speculation, including that Fiennes himself would once again take on the role.

However, in an appearance on the Claudia Winkleman Show on BBC One alongside Olivia Cooke of House of the Dragon and Michelle de Swarte of The Duchess, Fiennes made it clear that he would not be taking on the role again.

Fiennes said he might have been interested at one time (Toni Anne Barson Archive/WireImage)

Claudia asked him: "Ralph, I have to ask you about Voldemort, because they’re about to shoot a new series."

She continued: "Everybody has been cast. Nobody – I’m not saying this to be nice to you – but nobody else can play the Dark Lord.

"So would you do it again and are you doing it again? We won’t tell anyone."

Fiennes, 63, revealed that there had been a time where he was open to returning to the part, saying: "I remember being asked the question once we’d shot the total film series, would I reprise the part, and this was some years ago, and I said: 'Yes, I’d love to'."

However, he explained that while he might have at one point, he would no longer want to.

"But then, nothing’s happened, and I think that ship has sailed," he said.

One rumoured person for the part was Cillian Murphy, who quickly put to rest any rumours he was taking on the role, telling The Times: “I’m categorically not."

Fiennes said he would no longer be interested in the part (Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images for BFI)

Since the films ended, original cast members of Harry Potter, most notably the thee who played Harry, Ron, and Hermione, have distanced themselves from JK Rowling over her views on transgender people.

Daniel Radcliffe publicly spoke out on the issue with LGBTQ+ foundation The Trevor Project, saying: “Transgender women are women. Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo or I.”

Meanwhile, Emma Watson was heavily criticised by Rowling after she posted on X: "Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren’t who they say they are."

Rupert Grint has also expressed similar support, saying previously: "Trans women are women. Trans men are men. We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgment."