ALBAWABA - Kit Harington will now play Gilderoy Lockhart in Season 2 of HBO's "Harry Potter" series, succeeding Nicholas Hoult, who left the production owing to schedule issues.
The "Game of Thrones" star recently portrayed Lockhart, who is essential to the plot of the second book, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets," in Audible's "Harry Potter" audiobooks late last year. Lockhart, a famous and egotistical wizard recognized for his numerous heroic exploits, is appointed as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts, but it quickly becomes evident that he is unqualified for the position. Kenneth Branagh portrayed him in the 2002 film "Chamber of Secrets."
In a December interview with Variety, self-proclaimed "Harry Potter" nerd Harington revealed that he fell in love with J.K. Rowling's books as a child and has reread them numerous times since.
"It was a really simple yes, because I love the character," Harington said of his decision to voice Lockhart in the audiobooks. "As far as cameos in a series go, Gilderoy Lockhart is one of the most fascinating and enjoyable actors to work with. "It was an obvious decision."
Season 2 of the "Harry Potter" series, based on "Chamber of Secrets," is scheduled to begin filming this fall. The first season will broadcast on HBO and HBO Max on Christmas Day.
The show's title role will be played by Dominic McLaughlin, with Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout playing Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, respectively. Additional cast members include John Lithgow as Hogwarts headmaster Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Snape, and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid.
Jon Brown, a writer on the adaptation's first season, has been promoted to co-showrunner for Season 2. He joins Francesca Gardiner, the current showrunner and series developer. Gardiner works as an executive producer alongside filmmaker Mark Mylod. Rowling, the author of "Harry Potter," is also an executive producer, alongside Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, and David Heyman of Heyday Films. Warner Bros. Television is the studio.
