(Left) Kit Harington as Jon Snow on HBO’s ‘Game of Thrones.’ Photo: HBO. (Right) Kenneth Branagh as Gilderoy Lockhart in ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets’. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.

Preview:

• Kit Harrington will now play Gilderoy Lockhart in the ‘Harry Potter’ series.
• He takes over for Nicholas Hoult, who was cast but had a schedule issue.
• The second season, ‘The Chamber of Secrets,’ will likely arrive next year.

Looks like Gilderoy Lockhart got into the Polyjuice potion supplies.

In the real world, however, HBO’s ‘Harry Potter’ TV series is undergoing a casting change as ‘Superman’s Nicholas Hoult, who had previously been added as wizard Gilderoy Lockhart for the second season, had to ditch the gig before his work had begun due to a schedule clash (and reportedly not, one might assume, following the incredible backlash on his taking any job associated with J.K. Rowling and her controversial views).

Deadline brings word that stepping into his place is a face well known to HBO viewers, as Kit Harington, still best known for ‘Game of Thrones,’ but who also won plaudits for his work on ‘Industry,’ will take over the role.

“A new era of Hogwarts begins.”

Air Date: December 25th, 2026

Starring: Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, Alastair Stout

And Harrington has form with Lockhart, the bloviating, smarmy and fame-obsessed wizard well versed in Memory Charms who is recruited by Dumbledore as Professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts, since he voiced him for the recent Audible audiobook series.

Related Article: Nicholas Hoult Will Play Gilderoy Lockhart HBO’s ‘Harry Potter’ Series

What’s the story of the ‘Harry Potter’ TV series?

John Lithgow in ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’. Photo: Lara Cornell/HBO.

Here’s the official logline: “There is nothing special about Harry Potter – at least that’s what his Aunt Petunia always says. On his 11th birthday, a letter of admittance to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry opens up a hidden world for Harry: one of fun, friendship and magic. But with this new adventure comes great risk as Harry is forced to face a dangerous enemy from his past…”

When will the first ‘Harry Potter’ Season be on screens?

Dominic McLaughlin in ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’. Photo: Aidan Monaghan/HBO.

HBO is giving us all a Christmas gift in the shape of the first episode of Season 1 –– ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ –– landing on the channel (and streaming on HBO Max) on December 25th. Happy Wizarding Christmas!

(L to R) Daniel Radcliffe and Kenneth Branagh in ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets’. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.

List of Movies and TV Shows in the ‘Harry Potter’ Franchise:

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