Kit Harington Replaces Nicholas Hoult as Gilderoy Lockhart in HBO's Harry Potter Series
Nardine Saad reports from Los Angeles for the BBC.
Kit Harington has been cast in the highly anticipated HBO series based on the Harry Potter books, replacing actor Nicholas Hoult due to scheduling conflicts.
Best known for his role as Jon Snow in Game of Thrones, Harington also stars in the BBC and HBO drama Industry. This marks his third collaboration with the network.
The series, titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, is set to premiere on HBO Max this Christmas. Season two will adapt the second book in the series, The Chamber of Secrets.
Harington will play the role of Gilderoy Lockhart, a vain wizard and author of several books on his purported encounters with dark creatures. He will serve as Hogwarts' professor for the Defense Against the Dark Arts and will mentor Harry in his second year.
Originally announced for the role, Hoult, known for his work in X-Men, Superman, and Mad Max: Fury Road, had to drop out due to conflicting projects.
The series is planned to span 10 years, with multiple seasons covering each of J.K. Rowling's seven books.