British legend new frontrunner to play Voldemort after Harry Potter cast updates

A new name has leapt to the front of the race to predict who will play Voldemort in the Harry Potter adaptation for TV.
After HBO this week anointed three young actors as Harry, Hermione and Ron for a new generation, speculation has ramped up for who will play the trio's arch nemesis.
Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout have been cast in the lead roles to follow in the footsteps of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, after over 30,000 young hopefuls threw their name into the sorting hat at the casting director's office.
The production had already shared a swathe of casting announcements, with John Lithgow set to play headmaster Albus Dumbledore, I May Destroy You star Paapa Essiedu taking on Severus Snape and Nick Frost as Hagrid.
The Potterheads are now waiting for the rest of the cast to be announced, with our new Voldemort still missing from the roster.
The leading contender for the spot is said to be British actor Tom Hiddleston. No stranger to playing a baddie, Hiddleston is probably best known as Marvel's impish Loki.
The 44-year-old is currently leading early predictions, according to Online Betting Guide, who have put him at 1/1 odds.
He's followed by Peaky Blinders Cillian Murphy at 6/4, who previously had something of an edge after the original Voldemort actor Ralph Fiennes gave Murphy his blessing.
Fiennes was asked to address weeks of speculation Murphy would take over the role during an interview on Watch What Happens Live. Who do you think would be the best Voldemort?
He said: 'Cillian is a fantastic actor. That's a wonderful suggestion. I would be all in favor of Cillian. Yeah.'
Following Hiddleston and Murphy in the bookies' reckoning is another Marvel star, with Paul Bettany at 3/1. Then in fourth is yet another Marvel alum – maybe willingness to be in one franchise means you're more likely to do it again – with Benedict Cumberbatch at 6/1.
This comes after HBO finally shed light on how much the TV adaptation of JK Rowling's smash books is going to cost, after astronomical figures had been bandied about.
Senior TV Reporter Rebecca Cook shares her take…
Tom Hiddleston's tenure as Loki in the Marvel franchise is riddled (get it) with moments proving he has a strong Voldemort performance in him. Think back to when he went full panto villain at Comic-Con in 2013, emerging from the dark with the audience eating out of the palm of his hand.
He's certainly capable of playing a charismatic villain – but there's the risk his charm may soften Voldemort's edges. After all, who didn't end up secretly loving Loki, even before we were meant to?
We want someone who's truly terrifying to play Voldemort. Hairs upright on the back of your neck type of thing.
Perhaps an actor like Idris Elba would be a better fit, admittedly not currently in the conversation, but with a commanding presence and The Wire's Stringer Bell as proof he knows how to play a complicated villain.
The budget reported so far would make the HBO show the most expensive ever to be made, trouncing Prime Video's $465 million (£399 million) price tag for Rings of Power. More Trending
The Express reported each episode would cost £75 million to make, boosting the UK economy by billions.
However, a source close to the production has now confirmed to Metro that the reported figure is inaccurate.
Instead, the production costs will be on a par with Game of Thrones' budget. The eighth season of the show was its most expensive, costing roughly $15 million (almost £12 million at the time) per episode.
View More »
The Harry Potter TV show will stream exclusively on Max in 2026.
Got a story?
If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
MORE: Harry Potter fans annoyed about casting detail no one's got right in 25 years
MORE: Here's why fans think Arabella Stanton as new Hermione is 'perfect casting'
MORE: The new Harry Potter child stars have confirmed my worst fears

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Edinburgh Live

an hour ago

• Edinburgh Live

The Chase star Mark Labbett says 'it's an honour' 16 years after ITV show debut

Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The Chase's Mark Labbett was quick to issue a message to one of the celebrity guests during Saturday's show. During the episode, which originally aired last year, ITV viewers saw 'The Beast' go head to head with the likes of Raj Bisram, Danielle Harold, John Conteh and Roger Black, who were all competing to win money for their charity. With the Antiques Roadshow expert and EastEnders star successfully managing to make it back to the table with the money they had earned in their round, it was time for former British professional boxer John Conteh to face Mark. The 74-year-old answered three questions correctly, meaning he had earned a total of £3,000 to potentially bring back to the team. However, before facing Mark at the table, the quizzer had some kind words to say to the boxing champ. He said: 'Good evening, John. It's not often I say this, but it's an honour, sir, to meet you.' The audience gave a collective sound of admiration for Mark's remark as John thanked him. Bradley added: 'He loves his boxing!' Although the niceties were short-lived as Mark replied: 'Right, that's the last compliment you'll get.' Sadly, John didn't make it back to the table as Mark caught him at the table during his round. In the end, it was Raj, Danielle and Roger in the final Chase as they were playing to win a staggering £120,000 after Roger decided to go for Mark's high offer. Getting a three-step headstart, the team managed to answer 11 questions correctly, setting a target of 14 for the chaser to try and beat. With two minutes on the clock, Mark managed to catch the team with 47 seconds left on the clock to spare. Speaking about their performance, the quizzer, who has been part of the ITV show for 16 years, said: 'I'm sorry guys, the way they broke, either I knew them, or they were so tough you didn't stand a prayer at pushing me back.' Meanwhile, host Bradley Walsh said: 'We missed John Conteh, of course, you needed a full house, and we needed a bigger score on our side of that run, but that's just the way it is.' However, the ITV star informed the team that they won't be walking away empty handed as they'd each get £1,000 to give to their chosen charity. The Chase is available to watch on ITVX

Daily Mirror

3 hours ago

• Daily Mirror

Noel and Liam Gallagher's children share key advice from rockstar dads

Oasis stars Noel and Liam Gallagher have been giving advice to their kids whilst they have not been on stage rehearsing with the band ahead of their reunion tour It's not the most rock'n'roll thing to do - but Liam and Noel Gallagher are great at giving their kids sensible advice. The pair are back on the road together later this month as the Oasis reunion kicks off in Cardiff on July 4, their first shows in 16 years. In that time, they have been trying to install confidence and the value of money into their children. ‌ Anaïs, daughter of Noel, says of the Oasis Live 25 tour: 'I'm pre-prepping my liver now by drinking, I don't know, electrolytes. It should be a very fun summer. My plan is to be at every U.K. date, and my camera will be with me every step of the way.' ‌ The model and photographer, 25, went on to joke that she might not make a photo book as 'then my dad would probably want every penny.' Growing up, she assumed that every kid could be taken to the Harry Potter film set to hang out like she was, until her parents, Noel and his ex-wife Meg Matthews, set her straight. 'They said, 'You're different, but that doesn't mean you're better than anybody else.' I think I've kept that in mind throughout my whole life.' Noel also seems to be aware that the children of famous people often buckle under the pressure of living up to their parents' success. 'My generation has been told that the sky is the limit and that if you dream big, you can invent an app and become a billionaire,' Anaïs told W magazine in the US. 'But that is such a small fraction of the population. My parents were always like, do whatever makes you happy—you don't need to be this big superstar.' ‌ Noel also didn't try to push her into music, quite the opposite. She had 'a brief stint playing the cello when I was about 11, and it's safe to say there is not an inherent Gallagher musical gene.' She added: 'My dad came to see a few of my recitals, and he swiftly was like, 'Maybe it's not for you.'' Noel's brother has been trying to help two of his kids follow in his musical footsteps. Gene, 23, has his band Villanelle who supported Liam on tour and have a new single out later this Summer (PLS REF). Lennon Gallagher, the eldest of Liam's sons, says his dad give hims tips, even thought his music so far has been more experimental than Oasis, featuring spoken vocals on stage. ‌ 'He doesn't hate it,' says Lennon, laughing. 'He's always been very supportive. Dad has given me some great pointers. One of the best ones is: Don't think about what you're doing when you're getting onstage. Just get up there and belt it out. It's a pretty perfect piece of advice, because if you ever think too much, you'll just get locked in your shell.' Gene said it was 'water off a duck's back' to be compared to his dad and he worries more about the reaction of his mum Nicole Appleton, of the girl group All Saints, to his music than his father. 'I'd be more nervous to play it to my mum. My dad hears my music all the time.' Oasis split following a backstage bust-up between the Gallaghers at Rock en Seine festival in Paris in 2009. But thankfully the brothers have now made up and it is believed Liam made the first move to patch things up. On X Liam said last year: "I called him but don't tell anyone as I don't want folk thinking I'm a soft lad and stuffs keep it between me n you cheers x." The reply laced with humour was typical of Liam's responses on social media. The pair will walk out on stage together, with their kids on the sidelines no doubt, on July 4 at Cardiff's Principality Stadium. There will also be dates in Manchester, London and Dublin as part of the tour.

Metro

3 hours ago

• Metro

Inside the £28,999 Glastonbury accommodation with pools and helicopter arrivals

British festivals go hand-in-hand with camping in claustrophobia-inducing tents with all of your friends, covered in mud, slowly sinking into rivers of rain. With Glastonbury Festival around the corner – it may not be the case this year with it set to be a scorcher. This year's Worthy Farm event will see headline performances from the likes of The 1975, Olivia Rodrigo, Neil Young, and Rod Stewart in the legend's slot. Festivals have changed drastically since Glasto began in 1970, with various glamping options available both onsite and in the Glastonbury area. One such accommodation is The Pop Up Hotel, a luxury retreat offering swimming pools and massages for festivalgoers who don't fancy kicking their wellies off in a canvas triangle from their local supermarket. Located in West Pennard, Glastonbury, rooms at the Pop Up Hotel start at £2,999 for two people at The Orchard, a site five minutes from the main hotel. Glamping tents at the site come with 24-hour hot showers, toilets, and more luxurious extras such as a spa, salon, swimming pool, and dining options. For those really wanting to splash out, The Pop Up Hotel has the Tipi Tenthouse Suite priced at an eye-watering £28,999 for six guests. The Tipi Tenthouse has its own en-suite shower room with a shower, toilet, and basin, and king or twin beds. Bedding, linens, towels, and toiletries are provided as well as home comforts such as power for charging electrical devices. For 2025 ahead of Glastonbury's fallow year in 2026, The Pop Up Hotel has introduced a number of 'luxurious upgrades and carefully curated wellness experiences designed to pamper guests like never before,' including a salon in conjunction with Sephora and bespoke spa treatments. A wellness space will allow those tired after a day of dancing to their favourite artists to enjoy saunas, ice baths, yofa, and breathwork sessions. As well as several new food and drink options, The Pop Up Hotel will also have their own live performances and pool parties for guests to enjoy. The Pop Up Hotel also offers travel options to get to and from the festival site – including a private helicopter. 'Hotel guests can beat the worst of the traffic and fly into Glastonbury like rock royalty,' they announced earlier this month. 'By parking at easily-accessible and conveniently-located Hartham Park Estate or Homewood House Hotel, guests can hop on a 15-minute helicopter transfer for the final 30 miles to Glastonbury, bypassing the gridlocked traffic below. Heli-Hop return flights start from £1,399 per person.' However, a spokesperson for Glastonbury said the festival 'absolutely does not condone' the use of private helicopters to the event. More Trending 'This offsite accommodation provider has no relationship to us, so we cannot control how people arrive there. We absolutely do not condone the use of helicopters,' they said (per The Sun). 'Here at Glastonbury Festival, we encourage people to arrive by public transport or to lift share if they do decide to drive.' The company also offers accommodation at Silverstone, The British Grand Prix, Coachella Festival, and Stagecoach Festival – so if you didn't manage to nab any coveted Glastonbury tickets this year, you can still check out what they have to offer elsewhere. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: 90s pop icons missed out on Glastonbury legends slot for devastating reason MORE: I went to Glastonbury and discovered it's just really overrated MORE: Heartbreaking reason Glastonbury nearly ended in the late 90s