Kit Harington Joins HBO's Harry Potter Series as Gilderoy Lockhart

Former Game of Thrones star Kit Harington has been tapped to step into the wizarding world’s famous Defence‑Against‑the‑Dark‑Arts professor, Gilderoy Lockhart, according to HBO.

The announcement follows Nicholas Hoult’s departure, who could not film Season 2 because of scheduling conflicts. The new actor will bring his own brand of charm and comic gusto to the role that previously saw Kenneth Branagh in the film adaptation.

Harington, who previously voiced Lockhart in the Audible audio‑edited version of the series, is no stranger to the franchise. The 47‑year‑old also appeared in the BBC and HBO drama Industry, making this his third HBO collaboration under the same network.

Season 2 will adapt J. K. Rowling’s second book, The Chamber of Secrets, following Harry’s second year at Hogwarts. The long‑promised show is slated to debut on Christmas and is projected to span ten seasons, covering each of the seven books that inspired the blockbuster films.

The cast also includes newcomer Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, Jon Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid.

Harington’s involvement also reunites him with director and executive producer Mark Mylod, who worked on Game of Thrones and will direct episodes of the new series. Rowling herself serves as an executive producer.

Representatives for Harington and Hoult did not comment on the casting change.

Kit Harington on the red carpet for a film premiere
Kit Harington on the red carpet with a blue blazer, photographed by Variety via Getty Images.

With this casting, HBO’s Harry Potter series marks another milestone in weaving beloved characters into a brand‑new television narrative, promising a fresh take for fans worldwide.