While the movies skipped it, I hope HBO’s Harry Potter series finally shows Voldemort’s desire to teach at Hogwarts

Harry Potter continues to be one of the biggest and most famous franchises in the history of literature and cinema with its novel series, movie series,and video games. Over the years J. K. Rowling has expanded the franchise with spin-off novels which have also been adapted into movies.

The next addition to the franchise is HBO's upcoming Harry Potter series. While the movies are known to be well-made, they certainly do skip some details. One such detail is Voldemort's desire to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts. In fact, he applied for the position twice and, unsurprisingly, did not land it.

There is only so much that can be fit into a two-hour-and-something movie, so it is understandable that the makers decided to skip this detail. Now that a series is in development, I hope the creators will include it, as this might change the audience's perception of certain things.

Exploring Voldemort's desire to teach at Hogwarts in the Harry Potter series will reveal his rivalry with Dumbledore

Professor Albus Dumbledore played a key role in shaping some of the most important events in the Harry Potter novels. He was the one who brought Tom Riddle, the young Lord Voldemort to Hogwarts and also the first to sense the sinister plans forming in his mind.

During one of his teaching sessions with Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, chapter 20; Harry used the Pensieve to observe the Headmaster's memory of interviewing Tom Riddle for the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.

In the memory, it was obvious that Dumbledore was not going to be fooled by Riddle's charm and manipulation, much less give him such an important position. Dumbledore stated that they both knew Tom didn’t truly want the position and asked his real reason for requesting the meeting, despite knowing he wouldn’t be offered the job.

Voldemort said that he wanted the job, and Dumbledore conferred this at the end of the chapter. It became obvious to the Headmaster when no Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher lasted more than a year at the school. Voldemort had cursed the position.

One thing that became clear to Voldemort from Dumbledore's refusal to use his chosen name in that interview meeting was that this old teacher was his biggest rival. Indeed, the Headmaster stood as the strongest line of defense; protecting both Harry and Hogwarts from Voldemort.

Why did Voldemort really want to teach at Hogwarts?

Voldemort did want the teaching position at Hogwarts but was it really teaching that he was interested in? Given his obsession with taking over the Wizarding World, the chances of him just wanting a teaching job are about as likely as Voldemort hosting a tea party at the Burrow.

At the beginning of the aforementioned chapter, Dumbledore himself listed three reasons why Voldemort wanted the job. First of all, beyond their wand cores and tragic pasts, Harry and Voldemort shared one more thing: Hogwarts was the first place where both of them found happiness. So Voldemort wanted to stay there for as long as possible.

Secondly, the Hogwarts castle was the seat of ancient magic. While Voldemort had been able to uncover some of the secrets during his time there as a student; he was aware that there was much more to discover.

Additionally, Voldemort wanted to hide one of his Horcruxes there although Dumbledore had not considered that possibility—one of the few times he was mistaken. In fact, Voldemort must have anticipated the rejection of his application for the job and that is why he requested the interview. It gave him the chance to hide his Horcrux, Ravenclaw's diadem in the Room of Requirement.

Lastly, Voldemort intended to influence young wizards and witches as a teacher and recruit them into the army he was building. He might have gained that idea from Professor Slughorn who was his favorite teacher and had exhibited how strongly a teacher can influence his students.

Considering all of this I believe that showing Voldemort's desire to become a teacher at Hogwarts in the Harry Potter series would give a little more insight into his motivations and intentions and how Dumbledore became one of his most formidable enemies.

HBO's Harry Potter series is likely to release in late 2026 or early 2027.