HBO Recasts Gilderoy Lockhart as Kit Harington Joins Harry Potter Season 2

Harington, best known for playing Jon Snow in Game of Thrones, is joining the series for its second season, which will adapt Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Variety reported that Harington is replacing Hoult after Hoult's departure from the production.

Lockhart is one of the most memorable characters in the second Harry Potter story. He arrives at Hogwarts as the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, presenting himself as a celebrated wizard whose books describe his supposed heroic exploits. His confidence, however, quickly proves to be far greater than his actual ability.

Harington has already played Lockhart

The casting is not Harington's first connection to the character. He voiced Lockhart in the Harry Potter audiobooks, giving him an earlier chance to interpret the flamboyant wizard before taking on the role on screen.

Harington previously became one of the franchise's most recognisable faces through Game of Thrones, where he played Jon Snow throughout the HBO fantasy series. He has also appeared in Industry and Marvel's Eternals.

Hoult's casting had only been announced earlier this month, making the change particularly quick. He was reported as Lockhart on August 12 before Harington's casting was confirmed on August 25.

The Chamber of Secrets is next

HBO's first season is scheduled to premiere on Christmas Day 2026 and will adapt Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Season 2 is expected to move into Chamber of Secrets, bringing Lockhart, the Chamber mystery and the threat of the Basilisk into the new television adaptation.

Filming for the second season is due to begin this fall. With Harington now attached to one of the story's most theatrical characters, the production has settled one of its notable casting changes before the next chapter of the HBO series gets underway.