Kit Harington cast as Gilderoy Lockhart in HBO Harry Potter series

Kit Harington has been cast as Gilderoy Lockhart in the upcoming HBO adaptation of the Harry Potter series. Harington replaces Nicholas Hoult, who departed the project due to scheduling conflicts.

The new series is planned as a multi-year project where each season covers one of the seven original novels. While the first season, focusing on 'The Sorcerer’s Stone', is expected to debut on HBO Max around Christmas, production for subsequent seasons is already moving forward. Other casting news includes Lenny Rush as Dobby, Billy Barratt as Tom Riddle, and Bonnie Hill as Ginny Weasley.

Harington expressed a deep personal connection to the franchise, noting that he has been a lifelong fan. He shared that listening to the Harry Potter audiobooks played a significant role in his life following his sobriety, helping him manage a busy mind at night. The casting comes amid ongoing public debate regarding the series' creator, J.K. Rowling.