Matt Smith on Harry Potter Rumor: 'Ain’t Gonna Be Me' as Voldemort

Warner Bros. Discovery is slated to reboot the Wizarding World in 2027 with a Harry Potter television series. While a number of crew members and actors have already been announced (the latter including Nick Frost, Janet McTeer, and John Lithgow), the question of who will portray the franchise’s most feared villain, Lord Voldemort, remains unanswered. Very recently, fan-favorite candidate Matt Smith dispelled the wishful rumors that he will be responsible for the next incarnation of the Wizarding World’s Dark Lord.

A Mantle No Less Fear-Inspiring Than Its Character

During an August 25 interview on the Today show, Matt Smith was informed of the feverish online speculation that he would play Voldemort in the Harry Potter reboot. Smith is noted for his previous portrayal of lordly characters, including the ruthless Daemon Targaryen in HBO’s fantasy series House of the Dragon, but his reaction to the prospect of playing another infamous lord in Harry Potter was one of incredulous humility.

“Can anyone play after Ralph?” Smith remarked, “He was so good.” He was referring, of course, to Ralph Fiennes’s iconic turn as Voldemort, whom Fiennes played across five Harry Potter films between 2005 and 2011. “I think following in the footsteps of Ralph Fiennes is a very, very difficult mantle for someone,” he continued, “So good luck, whoever it is. It ain’t gonna be me.”

The Speculation Continues – and Will Until Release

However intimidating, the role of Lord Voldemort has remained open for fourteen years now, so it’s high time for someone to take up the mantle. With Matt Smith officially out of the running, plenty of candidates still remain, including Tom Hiddleston and Cillian Murphy. The latter has the blessing of Ralph Fiennes: late last year, Fiennes said on ‘Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen‘, “I actually think that’s a wonderful, wonderful suggestion,” when asked about the rumors of Murphy’s being thus cast in the Harry Potter TV series. “I would be all in favor of Cillian,” he confirmed.

In any case, HBO is deliberately keeping mum about its casting choice. The Harry Potter series has its Voldemort, but until it premieres roughly two years from now, this individual will remain him who shall not be named.