HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter reboot is making headlines again; this time, it’s all about Lord Voldemort. According to a new rumor shared by insider Daniel RPK, HBO might be going for a bold new direction with the character by possibly casting a woman as the Dark Lord. Yes, you read that right. After Ralph Fiennes’ legendary performance in the original movies, the Harry Potter reboot plans to gender swap the role.
And following that rumor, one surprising name that began trending on social media is the Oscar-winning actress Tilda Swinton. Known for her chilling and mysterious roles, Swinton is rumored to be eyed by HBO for this fresh, eerie twist to the Wizarding World’s most feared villain.
Although the rumor is yet to be confirmed, the idea of a “Lady Voldemort” has already divided Potterheads online.
The table contains details on the Harry Potter films:
Does Tilda Swinton Have What It Takes to Play Lord Voldemort
Now, if rumors are true, and HBO is really planning to cast a female Voldemort, and is eyeing Tilda Swinton for the role, then it sounds like a strong choice. She already has that mysterious and powerful screen presence that fits perfectly with the Dark Lord’s vibe.
Plus, her natural look gives off a kind of haunting, otherworldly energy, similar to Voldemort.
Given how the books mention Voldemort as a tall, thin, pale, and almost snake-like human being, casting Swinton in the role wouldn’t even require a massive transformation to look the part. But then again, it’s not just about appearance; the actress’s acting range makes her stand out the most. After all, she’s known for playing strange, complex, and intense characters.
Whether it’s the cold and cruel White Witch in The Chronicles of Narnia or the calm and wise Ancient One in Doctor Strange, she brings both power and mystery to her roles, which makes them unforgettable. And that’s exactly what Voldemort needs, a presence that’s both quiet and terrifying. Plus, Swinton also has experience playing characters that bend gender norms.
In Orlando (1992), she played a time-traveling, sex-changing character, and in Suspiria (2018), she even played an old male doctor. This shows how versatile she is, and why casting rumors are being directed towards her, for the role of female Voldemort. So yes, if Tilda Swinton gets cast as the Dark Lord in the Harry Potter reboot, she might actually nail it.
J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter Books Confirm Voldemort as a Man
But then again, no matter how well Tilda Swinton might nail the role, it shouldn’t happen. HBO, after claiming to remain book-accurate, mustn’t cast an actress as Lord Voldemort. Because in J.K. Rowling’s original Harry Potter books, Voldemort is clearly written as a man. After all, his full name is Tom Marvolo Riddle, and he is often spoken about with the indirect phrase “he who must not be named”.
Meanwhile, as per the lore, the Dark Lord was born to Merope Gaunt and Tom Riddle Sr., raised in an orphanage, and always referred to as “he” throughout the books. There’s no mention in the books of any gender changes or alternate versions of the character. So if HBO really goes with a female Voldemort, it would be a completely new twist on the original story. And while the Harry Potter universe does allow shape-shifting, this is gonna be completely different.
In the books, we see Nymphadora Tonks changing her looks as a Metamorphmagus, and even read about how Polyjuice Potion lets people disguise themselves as others. So technically, a gender-swapped Voldemort could exist through magical means. But so far, in all seven books, Voldemort has always been male. His character, motivations, and even his obsession with power come from the life of Tom Riddle, a boy who grew up feeling unloved.
Share your opinions on female Voldemort in the Harry Potter reboot.
Harry Potter films are currently streaming in the US on HBO Max.
