Harry Potter Officially Confirms Voldemort Lore Change in New Set Photos

The Harry Potter series continues to separate itself from the beloved films. At least, this is based on several leaked set photos.

After the initial backlash for the similarities with the eight Harry Potter films, original fans started coming around as filming indicated the show would include many scenes that weren't in the movies but deepened or reflected the scenes from the book. Per new set photos, it looks like the Harry Potter TV show is changing the Voldemort lore by bringing him earlier into the story.

The series started filming this summer, and the new scenes in Lustleigh, UK, reveal the night that Voldemort killed Lily and James Potter, and attempted to kill Harry, only for him to be destroyed by the oldest magic of all. The set pictures show a street filled with children in disguises, as the events of the night took place on Oct. 31, when Halloween is celebrated.

The films did show brief moments of Voldemort killing Lily and James, and it was further fleshed out in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 when Harry saw Professor Severus Snape's memories of arriving after the killings. However, based on the new photos, it looks like the show will deepen the moment. At the same time, it's likely the new Voldemort actor will make his debut earlier.

Although the Harry Potter cast is stacked, there are some characters left to be confirmed. While some of them arrive earlier in the game, like Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and others, Voldemort will be played by the same actor this time around, and he has reportedly been cast. However, Warner Bros. has yet to confirm the actor. A new rumor claimed the show is currently auditioning for the role, and that both women and men are welcome. However, the scene seems to confirm Voldemort will make his way onto the small screen earlier.

The popular fan-casting for the new Voldemort is Oscar-winning actor Cillian Murphy for the role, but he denied the rumors on several occasions. Another popular fan choice is Matt Smith, who also denied playing the new Voldemort.

Who Played Lord Voldemort So Far?

In the original Harry Potter film series, Lord Voldemort was largely portrayed by Oscar-nominated actor Ralph Fiennes, who took over the role in 2005's Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. However, before him, several actors took on the role. Richard Bremmer plays the character in the flashback scene where he kills the Potters, but his face is never seen. Ian Hart, who played Professor Quirrell, voiced Voldemort and provided the facial source for the character, who was a parasite attached to Quirrell's head.

Christian Coulson played a six-year-old Tom Marvolo Riddle in 2002's Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and Fiennes' nephew, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, played Tom as a child in 2009's Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Aside from the flashbacks to Tom Riddle as a child, it's expected the adult version will be played by one actor throughout the series' 10-year run.

The HBO Harry Potter series is set to debut in 2027.