Cillian Murphy has broken his silence on whether or not he’ll be portraying Harry Potter villain Voldemort in the upcoming new series.
The Irish actor, 49, has long been rumoured to be taking on the role in the HBO edition of the franchise.
The Peaky Blinders star didn’t mince his words when asked about the speculation, clearing things up by confirming: “I’m categorically not (playing Voldemort).”
Speaking to The Times, he continued by adding he wasn’t even aware that his name was becoming associated with the coveted role.
Cillian Murphy addressed the Harry Potter rumours
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He candidly added: “Being a personality is not what I am good at. But then, existing in this world?
“Talking about yourself, going on f***ing red carpets? It’s not healthy if you start to believe this s***, and I’m really bad at it too.”
He humbly concluded: “I’m an incredibly average person, really.”
The rumours escalated in January after Mr Murphy’s 28 Years Later co-star Ralph Fiennes, who portrayed the original Voldemort in the hit films, added fuel to the theories.
Ralph Fiennes added fuel to the theories Cillian would be playing the new Lord Voldemort
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“I’m told [my shoes] are already filled, aren’t they?” Mr Fiennes said in an interview, adding: “I’ve already said, I think Cillian Murphy is very good. He’s a very good choice.”
Many of the cast members for the series have already been announced, with youngster Dominic McLaughlin having been announced as the titular role of Harry Potter, following in Daniel Radcliffe’s footsteps.
Likewise, Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stour have been cast as Harry’s best friends, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, respectively.
Paapa Essiedu will star as Professor Snape, while John Lithgow will take on the role of headmaster Albus Dumbledore.
Oscar winner Cillian Murphy is celebrated for his performances in Peaky Blinders and Oppenheimer | GETTYJanet McTeer has been confirmed as Minerva McGonagall and Nick Frost will be playing Rubeus Hagrid.
Mr Radcliffe recently shared his reflections on the new generation of Harry Potter children, making clear that he doesn’t wish for the trio to be bombarded with comparisons to the movie cast.
“When these kids got cast, there is a whole thing around the internet being like, ‘We have to look after these kids!'” he said.
“If you really mean that, then one of the things you can do is don’t ask about us me, Emma and Rupert all the time.
“I would like not to be weird spectral phantoms in these children’s lives.”
He went on to emphasise that supporters should “just let them get on with” the project, which he views as something distinctly separate from the films he became famous for.
HBO’s reimagining of the iconic wizarding world is scheduled to arrive in 2027, with production having commenced last year.
The streaming service plans to dedicate an entire series to each of the seven novels penned by JK Rowling.
