Kit Harington is officially joining HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter television series as Gilderoy Lockhart in Season 2. The Game of Thrones star will replace Nicholas Hoult, who has exited the role because of scheduling conflicts.
Kit Harington Is the New Gilderoy Lockhart
Harington will play the flamboyant and self-obsessed Defence Against the Dark Arts professor in the season based on Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
The casting is an interesting change for Harington, who became globally famous for playing Jon Snow in Game of Thrones. He will now move from the fantasy world of Westeros into the wizarding world of Hogwarts.
Why Did Nicholas Hoult Leave?
Nicholas Hoult had previously been announced as Lockhart but later left the project because of scheduling conflicts.
Harington was subsequently announced as his replacement, giving the production another major HBO-connected actor.
Harington Already Has a Connection to Lockhart
Interestingly, Harington has already voiced Gilderoy Lockhart in the full-cast audio adaptation of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
His new casting therefore gives him the opportunity to bring the same character to live-action.
When Will Harry Potter Season 2 Arrive?
HBO plans to adapt the seven Harry Potter novels across multiple seasons. The first season, based on Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, is scheduled to premiere on December 25, 2026.
Production on the second season is expected to begin later this year.
With Kit Harington now joining the cast, expectations around the new wizarding-world series have become even higher.
