Nicholas Hoult Exits Harry Potter Season 2 as Kit Harington Takes Over Gilderoy Lockhart Role

Nicholas Hoult has withdrawn from HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series, just days after being announced as the actor set to play Gilderoy Lockhart in Season 2.

Hoult was announced for the role on August 11, 2026, but reportedly had to leave the project because of a scheduling conflict. The actor is also attached to Man of Tomorrow, the upcoming Superman sequel, creating a conflict with the Harry Potter production schedule.

HBO has now cast Kit Harington, best known for his role as Jon Snow in Game of Thrones, to replace Hoult as Lockhart.

The casting creates an interesting connection to the franchise: Harington previously voiced Gilderoy Lockhart in the Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions released in 2025.

Lockhart is a charismatic but famously self-important Defense Against the Dark Arts professor who appears in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

With Harington now taking over the role, fans are already looking forward to seeing how the Game of Thrones star brings the flamboyant wizard to life in HBO’s adaptation.

Source: Daily Mail