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Kit Harington will play Gilderoy Lockhart in the upcoming second season of HBO's "Harry Potter" series, taking over the role from Nicholas Hoult, according to a report from Variety.
Hoult had previously been attached to the role but exited the project because of a scheduling conflict.
Harington, who gained international recognition for playing Jon Snow in "Game of Thrones," has voiced Lockhart before. He recorded the character for Audible's "Harry Potter" audiobook series, released in late 2025.
Harington has previously described himself as a "Harry Potter" fan, saying he loved the books as a child and reread the series multiple times over the years.
Gilderoy Lockhart is a central character in "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets," the second book in the series.
The vain wizard, known for his celebrated exploits, becomes the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts, though the authenticity of his achievements and his competence as a teacher are soon called into question. Kenneth Branagh played the character in the 2002 film adaptation.
Season two, which will adapt "Chamber of Secrets," is scheduled to begin filming in fall 2026. The first season is set to premiere on HBO and HBO Max on Dec. 25.
Dominic McLaughlin stars as Harry Potter in the series, alongside Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley.
The cast also includes John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid.
Jon Brown, who wrote for the first season, will serve as co-showrunner for season two, working alongside series developer Francesca Gardiner.
Gardiner and director Mark Mylod are among the show's executive producers, along with J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts, and David Heyman.
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