British actor Kit Harington has spoken for the first time about joining the television adaptation of Harry Potter for HBO Max as Gilderoy Lockhart.
Harington, who starred as Jon Snow in the HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones, replaces Nicholas Hoult in the role after Hoult withdrew from the project because of scheduling conflicts.
The actor acknowledged being very happy to receive the offer, describing the opportunity to portray the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor as a dream and stating that he is a major fan of the franchise.
Harington previously voiced Lockhart in audiobook recordings of the novels by J.K. Rowling. He explained that his work on the audiobooks allowed him to better understand the personality and internal motivations of the character, though he noted that his screen performance in the television series will be different.
Describing Lockhart as a wonderful creation, Harington said he anticipates the filming process will be a very fun experience as he steps into the role of the charismatic and vain wizard.
Season Two Role and Production Schedule
Harington will join the cast during the second season of the HBO Max series, which will adapt the second book in the franchise, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Filming for the second season is scheduled to begin in the autumn.
In the source books, Lockhart is introduced as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts. He is a half-blood wizard and former Ravenclaw student who gained fame by claiming credit for heroic achievements performed by others, though his arrogance and lack of skill are eventually exposed.
The character was previously portrayed on screen by Northern Irish actor Kenneth Branagh in the 2002 feature film adaptation Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
First Season Release Schedule
The television project by Warner Bros. streaming platform HBO Max aims to deliver an extensive adaptation closer to J.K. Rowling's original novels, dedicating separate seasons to explore each book in depth.
Filming has already wrapped on the eight-episode first season, which adapts Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. The first season will premiere on December 25, 2026, with weekly episodes running through Valentine's Day in 2027.
HBO Max has confirmed the full release schedule for the first season:
- Episode 1: December 25, 2026
- Episode 2: January 3, 2027
- Episode 3: January 10, 2027
- Episode 4: January 17, 2027
- Episode 5: January 24, 2027
- Episode 6: January 31, 2027
- Episode 7: February 7, 2027
- Episode 8: February 14, 2027
Ensemble Cast and Film Anniversary
The main cast for the series stars Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. They are joined by an adult ensemble featuring John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, and Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape.
Ahead of the television debut, Warner Bros. is bringing the original 2001 film adaptation, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, back to movie theaters in Spain to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
The theatrical re-release will take place between August 28 and September 1, aligning with annual Back to Hogwarts celebrations. Directed by Chris Columbus and starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, the screenings will feature previously unreleased behind-the-scenes footage. Tickets are already on sale across participating cinemas in Spain.
