Kit Harington Steps In as Lockhart After Hoult's Exit

There's been a shift in the casting for the upcoming Harry Potter television adaptation on HBO. Nicholas Hoult, who was set to play the vain and fraudulent Professor Gilderoy Lockhart in Season 2, has stepped away from the role due to scheduling conflicts. Kit Harington, best known for his years as Jon Snow in Game of Thrones, will take over the part.

It's worth noting that Harington isn't entirely new to the character—he previously voiced Lockhart in the audio adaptation of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, so he brings a familiarity with the role that should ease the transition. The second season will adapt that same book, which means Harington's prior work with the material could prove useful as he steps into the live-action version.

The first season of the HBO series is scheduled to premiere this Christmas, setting up what's shaping to be a significant television undertaking for the beloved franchise. These kinds of casting adjustments happen in production, and Harington's prior experience with Lockhart's voice and character suggests the team found a thoughtful replacement rather than a last-minute scramble. For viewers who've been anticipating the live-action take on these stories, it's the kind of behind-the-scenes recalibration that rarely affects the final product—just another part of bringing a massive production like this to the screen.

Source: GeekTyrant