Sorry, Harry Potter fans, but Matt Smith won’t be playing Voldemort in HBO‘s upcoming reboot.

Why isn’t Matt Smith playing Voldemort in HBO’s Harry Potter reboot?

The Doctor Who and House of the Dragon actor shot down the possibility of succeeding Ralph Fiennes as the Dark Lord of the Wizarding World during a recent appearance on the Today show. Smith initially noted that it would be hard for any actor to play Voldemort after Fiennes, as he was “so good” in the role. The actor then added, “Hypothetically, who knows? But, following in the footsteps of the great Ralph Fiennes is a very difficult mantle for someone, so good luck to whoever it is. It ain’t gonna be me.”

Check out the conversation, via X, below:

Smith has been at the top of many a fan’s wishlist for who should play Voldemort in HBO’s Harry Potter, with Oscar winner Cillian Murphy right up there as well. Since Voldemort’s presence is limited in the first of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter novels, an actor has not yet been announced for the role. However, according to a report by Redanian Intelligence in July 2025, HBO has cast the Dark Lord, but has no plans to announce the actor, as they want to keep him a secret until the show’s premiere in 2027.

Whoever ends up being revealed as Voldemort will join an ensemble cast that is being headlined by Dominic McLaughlin as the titular boy wizard. The rest of the series regulars for Harry Potter Season 1 include Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid.

Francesca Gardiner is serving as head writer and showrunner on Harry Potter, while Mark Mylod is attached as its main director. The first season, which will consist of eight episodes and adapt Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, is slated to premiere on HBO in 2027.