Kit Harington has been cast as Gilderoy Lockhart in the second season of HBO’s upcoming “Harry Potter” adaptation, stepping into a role previously held by Nicholas Hoult. Hoult departed the project due to scheduling conflicts, creating an opening for the “Game of Thrones” actor to take on the position.
Harington brings familiarity with the character, having recently narrated Lockhart’s role in Audible’s audiobook versions of the “Harry Potter” series. The character, a vain and incompetent wizard who becomes Hogwarts’ Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor, proves central to the plot of “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,” the second book in J.K. Rowling’s celebrated series. Kenneth Branagh originally portrayed Lockhart in the 2002 film adaptation.
In interviews about his audiobook work, Harington expressed genuine enthusiasm for the role and the source material, describing himself as a lifelong fan of Rowling’s novels. He noted that playing such an entertaining character would be an enjoyable challenge for any actor involved in the series.
Production on Season 2 is scheduled to begin this fall, while the first season’s premiere is set for HBO and HBO Max on Christmas Day. The second season will feature a roster of established performers including John Lithgow as Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall, and Nick Frost as Hagrid.
Originally reported by Variety →
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