Game of Thrones star Kit Harington has officially joined the cast of HBO's new Harry Potter series.
According to a report from Deadline, Harington will star as Gilderoy Lockhart in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, which is the second season of the upcoming series.
Harington is taking over the role shortly after it was announced that Nicholas Hoult would be playing Lockhart in the show's second season, which just started filming late this summer in the UK. It's reported that Hoult left the series over "scheduling issues."
This isn't Harington's first Harry Potter experience. While he's best known for playing the fan-favorite Game of Thrones character Jon Snow, Harington also voiced Gilderoy Lockhart in the audiobook, Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions.
The timeline is so interesting because Hoult was just reported to have taken the role less than two weeks ago on Aug. 11. Hoult was also linked to the role of Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter series. Originally, it looked like his casting as Lockhart would take him out of the running for that role. Now, it appears that he could, potentially, be in consideration. I have to assume that the Harry Potter series already has the Voldemort actor they want, but we'll just have to wait to find out more when HBO is ready to confirm.
Kit Harington will make a great Gilderoy Lockhart
Gilderoy Lockhart is an author and adventurer who becomes the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Harry Potter meets him while Lockhart is doing a book signing at Flourish and Blotts in Diagon Alley.
There's no doubt that this is a good role for Harington. While he didn't get to show it in Game of Thrones, Harington has impeccable comedic timing.
On Industry, while not a comedy, Harington plays Henry Muck, who is similar in a lot of key ways to Lockhart. Both characters are foolish, contrived, and air-headed yet resourceful. If Harington plays Lockhart in Harry Potter in a similar way to how he plays Henry in Industry, I think Harry Potter fans will be in for a real treat.
While a great role for Harington, Lockhart isn't that significant of a role. He will play a big part in the second season. He should carry key moments with the young Harry (Dominic McLaughlin), Ron Weasley (Alistair Stout), and Hermione Granger (Arabella Stanton). Personally, I would have liked to see Harington take on an even bigger role in the Harry Potter series. I think he would be an even better fit as Remus Lupin or Sirius Black.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone premieres on Christmas Day on HBO and HBO Max. Stay tuned for more news about Harry Potter!
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