Kit Harington Reveals First Reaction to Playing Gilderoy Lockhart

Kit Harington has been cast as Gilderoy Lockhart in Season 2 of HBO’s Harry Potter series. The Game of Thrones star will play the famous Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, taking over the role from Nicholas Hoult.

Harington is already familiar with Lockhart. He voiced the character in Audible’s new full-cast Harry Potter audiobooks, alongside Arabella Stanton, who will reprise her role as Hermione Granger in the HBO series.

In a recent interview with Collider, Harington said he was thrilled to join the show and called Lockhart one of his favorite Harry Potter characters. He explained that his television performance will differ from his audiobook portrayal, but said the audiobook gave him a chance to explore the character.

Lockhart is introduced in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets as a celebrity professor known for his books, supposed heroic adventures, charm and enormous ego. Kenneth Branagh previously played the character in the 2002 film adaptation.

HBO’s Harry Potter series is scheduled to premiere in December, with Season 2 currently in production.