After playing the role of Voldemort for five films between 2005 and 2011, Ralph Fiennes is bound to have some valuable advice for whoever plays the ‘Dark Lord’ in the upcoming Harry Potter TV adaptation.
Fresh off of the success of Conclave, the three-time Oscar-nominated actor is receiving high praise for his latest film 28 Years Later.
But it is his previous turn as He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named in the film adaptations of JK Rowling’s book series that is drawing particular attention.
So far, HBO’s TV reboot of Harry Potter has confirmed some of the biggest names in Hollywood – including the likes of John Lithgow, Paapa Essiedu, Janet McTeer, and Nick Frost.
Meanwhile, newcomers Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout will be playing Harry, Hermione, and Ron, respectively.
But while the role of Voldemort has not yet been cast, Fiennes still has some words of wisdom for whoever chooses to play him.
During an interview with Entertainment Tonight, the 62-year-old said: ‘Make sure you can handle the long, flowing robes, and don’t trip over them. Practice your long, flowing robe walk.’
Fiennes went on to explain how his tights, which were one piece that had a gusset, ‘kept getting lower and lower throughout the shooting day and became uncomfortable’.
He then said he requested ‘individual tights like a garter belt’ so that he could tease the stunt guys ‘by lifting up my robes and showing them my garter belt’.
Voldemort and the Poisoned Chalice
Our TV reporter Milo Pope shares his thoughts on some of the names rumoured for the part of Voldemort…
It has now been two years since HBO announced it was rebooting Harry Potter in the form of a TV series, but the wave of public opinion against it in the wake of JK Rowling’s offensive comments on trans people has not weakened in the slightest.
The decision is clear for any actor who decides to take part – you are going to receive backlash.
Even the most loyal Harry Potter fans in the world are revealing that they are going to boycott this series. It’s inescapabale.
For that reason alone, to take such a high-profile role such as Voldemort, it is a poisoned chalice.
But beyond that, to try and fill the shoes of Ralph Fiennes who was iconic as He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, it becomes an even more difficult task.
If HBO manage to land two high-calibre actors such as Cillian Murphy or Tom Hiddleston, it could massively help the PR behind the show.
But in my mind, I’m not sure either of those are willing to risk their name.
Fiennes played Voldemort for five Harry Potter films, making his debut in 2005’s Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
The actor went on to play the villain for the rest of the film series, which ended in 2011 with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2.
Fiennes was previously asked to address speculation over whether Cillian Murphy would take over the role during an interview on Watch What Happens Live.
He said: ‘Cillian is a fantastic actor. That’s a wonderful suggestion. I would be all in favor of Cillian. Yeah.’
Despite his blessing, British actor Tom Hiddleston is said to be the leading contender for the spot.
This comes after fans recently spotted a major problem following the casting of Bel Powley and Daniel Rigby who are playing Harry’s aunt and uncle, Petunia and Vernon Dursley.
A number of people online thought that the pair were too young to play the Harry’s last living relatives.
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