Filming for the highly anticipated Harry Potter reboot is set to begin this summer, but with no official casting announcements yet, speculation is running wild. The latest rumor? Oscar-winning actor Cillian Murphy may be stepping into the world of Hogwarts—but not in the role fans expected.
HBO’s Harry Potter Series Moves Forward Without a Confirmed Cast
HBO and Warner Bros. are bringing Harry Potter back to life with a multi-season television series, offering a deeper exploration of J.K. Rowling’s magical universe than the original films ever could. Under the guidance of Succession writer Francesca Gardiner as showrunner, the project is already generating major buzz.
Despite the excitement, there’s one thing missing—an official cast list. While Warner Bros. has remained tight-lipped, that hasn’t stopped rumors from circulating. And now, one of the biggest yet has taken over fan discussions.
Is Cillian Murphy Set to Play Professor Quirrell?
According to industry insider DanielRPK, HBO and Warner Bros. are reportedly considering Cillian Murphy for the role of Professor Quirrell. Murphy, best known for Peaky Blinders and Oppenheimer, was previously rumored to be in the running to play Voldemort, but if this latest claim is true, he may instead be portraying the timid Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.
The news broke on the r/HarryPotteronHBO subreddit, where fans quickly debated whether Murphy would be a good fit for Quirrell, a character famously manipulated by Voldemort before his shocking reveal at the end of The Sorcerer’s Stone.
Fans Are Divided on Murphy’s Potential Role
While many fans would welcome Murphy into the Harry Potter universe, opinions are split on whether Professor Quirrell would be the right role for him.
- Reddit user rose-haze supported the idea, saying, “As much as I’d LOVE him as Voldemort, I can see this too, especially if he doesn’t want to commit to multiple seasons.”
- Another user, Mike13RW, pointed out that Murphy could likely handle any role, writing, “Would like to see a young Quirrell as he was written, a young naive talented wizard who was corrupted by Voldemort. But ultimately, Murphy could do any role justice, even Harry.”
- Not everyone was convinced, though. User theeviloneisyou argued that Quirrell would be a waste of Murphy’s talent, saying, “Especially when Ralph Fiennes all but endorsed him as the next Voldemort.”
One thing is clear: if Murphy does sign on, fans will be watching closely to see how he brings the character to life.
What This Means for the Reboot’s Direction
The possibility of Murphy taking on a role in Harry Potter raises questions about HBO’s vision for the reboot. If true, it suggests the studio is aiming for a high-caliber, award-winning cast rather than unknown newcomers.
However, given Murphy’s recent Oscar win for Oppenheimer, it’s unclear whether he would be interested in a smaller, potentially one-season role. Quirrell, after all, is only central to the first book and movie before meeting his demise. Unless HBO expands the character’s backstory significantly, it might not be a long-term commitment for Murphy.
Still Just a Rumor—For Now
Neither HBO nor Murphy himself have confirmed the casting rumors, meaning this is all still speculative. But one thing is certain—if Murphy does join the cast, whether as Quirrell or another character, it would be a huge win for the franchise.
With filming set to begin in a few months, official casting news is likely just around the corner. Until then, the debate rages on.
