A last-minute casting change sees the 'Game of Thrones' actor step into a key role for the show's second season.
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A last-minute casting change sees the 'Game of Thrones' actor step into a key role for the show's second season.
Kit Harington will play celebrity wizard professor Gilderoy Lockhart in the second season of HBO's Harry Potter series, the network confirmed. He replaces Nicholas Hoult, who was cast in the role earlier this month but had to leave due to scheduling conflicts, according to HBO and the Hindu.
The BBC and the Hindu reported that Hoult's departure was caused by the production's shifting schedule creating a conflict with his existing commitments. HBO announced the change just days after Hoult's casting was first revealed.
Lockhart, a vain and fraudulent celebrity author who becomes the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, is a central character in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the book being adapted for Season 2.
Harington has a previous connection to the role. He voiced Lockhart in Audible's full-cast audio adaptation of Chamber of Secrets released in late 2025, as noted by both the Hindu and the BBC. In an interview with Collider cited by the BBC, Harington called the character a favorite and said playing him is 'a real dream.'.
The actor is best known for playing Jon Snow in HBO's Game of Thrones, a role that earned him two Emmy nominations. He has continued working with HBO on the financial drama Industry.
The Hindu reported that Harry Potter executive producer and director Mark Mylod previously directed Harington on Game of Thrones, making this a reunion. The BBC added that Mylod is directing some episodes of the Harry Potter series.
The recasting comes as HBO prepares to move directly into production on the second season. The first season, adapting Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, is scheduled to premiere on HBO Max on December 25, 2026, the BBC and Hindu reported.
Both outlets stated that Season 2 is expected to begin filming this autumn. The BBC added that the series is expected to take 10 years to complete, covering all seven of J.K. Rowling's books.
The main cast includes Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. The ensemble also features John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid.
The BBC noted that Nicholas Hoult had faced backlash from some for joining the show due to his association with J.K. Rowling, the author whose views on gender identity have drawn controversy. Representatives for Hoult and Harington did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
2 independent outlets on this story. The thread also holds 65 filings over 6 weeks, which is more than this story alone attracted — it has collected neighbouring reports as well.
Of the 3 branches it sealed, the one it weights highest is "Harington Embraces Persona, Delivers Delightful Performance" at 50%.
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Hoult was announced as Gilderoy Lockhart two weeks ago but has dropped out due to scheduling issues.
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