Kit Harington to Play Vain Professor Lockhart in Harry Potter Series

Kit Harington, known for his role as Jon Snow in "Game of Thrones," is set to star in the upcoming Harry Potter series. He will portray the vain and arrogant Hogwarts professor Gilderoy Lockhart in the show's second season. The casting news comes after an unexpected schedule change led to Nicholas Hoult's withdrawal from the role.

Hoult, who was previously announced for the part, had to step down due to his commitment to the "Superman" sequel, "Man of Tomorrow." Harington's casting marks a significant addition to the series' ensemble, which features Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. John Lithgow will play Headmaster Albus Dumbledore.

Filming for the second season, featuring Harington, is scheduled to commence this autumn. The first season of the Harry Potter series is anticipated to premiere on HBO Max during the Christmas 2026 holiday season. This new adaptation is the second screen version of J.K. Rowling's beloved novels, following the successful film franchise that ran from 2001 to 2011. In the 2002 film "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets," the role of the self-absorbed Lockhart was played by Kenneth Branagh.