In the latest round of casting for HBO's "Harry Potter" series, Kit Harington has joined the second season's ensemble as Gilderoy Lockhart, replacing Nicholas Hoult, who was forced to exit the production due to scheduling conflicts. Also joining the cast are Lenny Rush as Dobby, Bonnie Hill as Ginny Weasley, and Billy Barratt as Tom Riddle. Hill will replace Gracie Cochrane, who portrays Ginny Weasley in Season 1, but had to leave the show "due to unforseen circumstances".
Harington recently voiced Lockhart in Audible's "Harry Potter" audiobooks last year. The character is crucial to the plot of "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" as a secondary antagonist and a catalyst for the climax. A famous yet arrogant wizard known for his many heroic acts, Lockhart becomes the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts, but it soon becomes clear that he isn't qualified for the job. Kenneth Branagh portrayed the character in the 2002 film of the same name.
Speaking about the audiobooks and agreeing to voice Lockhart, Harington said the following: "It was a really simple yes, because I love the character. As far as cameos in a series go, you don’t get much more entertaining and fun to do as an actor than Gilderoy Lockhart. It was a no-brainer".
The first season of the "Harry Potter" series has wrapped and will premiere on HBO on December 25, 2026. The second season is currently in pre-production at Leavesden Studios outside London, and will start shooting this fall.
Here is the show's official synopsis: "There is nothing special about Harry Potter — or so his Aunt Petunia tells him. But when a mysterious letter of admission to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry arrives, it opens the door to a hidden world of magic, friendship and adventure. Yet behind Hogwarts’ enchanted walls lie dark secrets. Harry must find the courage to prove himself against the darkest wizard of all."
Dominic McLaughlin will play Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton will star as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout is stepping into the role of Ron Weasley. The cast also includes John Lithgow as Hogwarts headmaster Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Snape, and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid.
Season 1 writer Jon Brown has been promoted to serve as co-showrunner on Season 2, joining current showrunner and series developer Francesca Gardiner. Gardiner serves as executive producer alongside director Mark Mylod. Author J.K. Rowling also executive produces alongside Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, and David Heyman of Heyday Films. Warner Bros. Television is the studio.
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