AceShowbiz - Kit Harington is set to portray Gilderoy Lockhart in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series, Vulture reports. This casting update comes less than two weeks after Nicholas Hoult was initially announced for the role but subsequently exited due to scheduling conflicts, according to Vulture.

Deadline and TVLine confirm that Harington previously lent his voice to the character of Gilderoy Lockhart in the Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions released earlier in the same year. The first season of the series, titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, is scheduled to premiere on HBO and HBO Max during Christmas 2024. Deadline adds that Dominic McLaughlin stars as Harry Potter, with Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton playing Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger respectively. TVLine further notes that the series is moving forward with a second season approved for production, in which Harington will feature as Lockhart.

Kit Harington is best known for his acclaimed role as Jon Snow in Game of Thrones, a part that earned him multiple award nominations including a Primetime Emmy and Golden Globe nod. He is also a regular on HBO’s Industry and has appeared in several films such as Pompeii and Silent Hill: Revelation 3D. His casting in the Harry Potter series marks another significant collaboration with HBO, following his extensive work on their flagship projects.

This casting change highlights HBO’s commitment to assembling a strong ensemble for the Harry Potter adaptation while addressing earlier casting adjustments. Harington’s previous experience voicing Lockhart and his established relationship with HBO position him well to bring this flamboyant character to life as the series expands beyond its first season.

This article is based on reporting originally published by Vulture.