Kit Harington Takes Over as Gilderoy Lockhart After Nicholas Hoult Exits HBO's Harry Potter Season 2
Game of Thrones alum Kit Harington has reportedly stepped in to fill the role of Gilderoy Lockhart in Harry Potter Season 2, replacing Nicholas Hoult in a surprise recasting decision for the HBO show.
The Jon Snow actor officially filled the role following the news that Hoult had taken the part of the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor earlier this month, according to Deadline. Scheduling issues are said to be the cause of his exit, as HBO struggled to work around two of his pre-existing projects when the shooting schedule was changed.
When it was determined Hoult would no longer be able to join the Hogwarts staff, HBO dug through its history with the Game of Thrones cast to pick up Harington instead. It's unclear if the Harry Potter show's second season will change with the recast, though Deadline reported that the actor behind Westeros' defender in the North is already excited to play Gilderoy Lockhart.
Harington is best known for his work on Game of Thrones, but he also appeared as Dane Whitman in Marvel's Eternals, Henry Muck in Industry, and Salen Kotch in Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. Although it might be a surprise to see him take over for Hoult in Harry Potter Season 2, Hogwarts — and even the part he will play — aren't uncharted territory for the actor.
He was one of the many A-listers to lend their voice to Audible's Full-Cast Audio Editions for the Harry Potter book series last year. While the project featured Keira Knightley as Professor Umbridge and James McAvoy as Mad-Eye Moody, Harington played Gilderoy Lockhart. His work must have made a good enough impression with those at HBO, as he's now set to reprise the role in live-action for Season 2.
"I read it, and like so many generations, I was entranced, and then I was a huge fan all through my teenage years," Harington told Audible, as shared by Deadline. "I think there’s a little bit of Gilderoy Lockhart in all of us," he added.
Gilderoy Lockhart first made his live-action debut in 2002's Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Alongside the then-leading trio of Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, he was portrayed by Kenneth Branagh.
HBO renewed Harry Potter for Season 2 in May, with reports at the time suggesting filming was scheduled to begin this fall. Season 1, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, is set to transport viewers to a TV series take on Harry (Dominic McLaughlin), Ron (Alastair Stout), and Hermione's (Arabella Stanton) story this Christmas.
Photo by John Nacion/FilmMagic.
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).