Kit Harington will play Gilderoy Lockhart in the 'Harry Potter' series instead of Nicholas Hoult

Game of Thrones star Kit Harington is returning to HBO for another big fantasy production. The actor will play vain author and Defence Against the Dark Arts professor Gilderoy Lockhart in Season 2 of Harry Potter.

He replaces Nicholas Hoult, who left the project over scheduling conflicts.

The role isn't entirely new territory for Harington – he already voiced Lockhart in the full-cast audio production Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions, released late last year.

Season 2 got the green light in May, with filming set to begin this fall, ahead of the first season premiere.

The Harry Potter series is expected to air by the end of 2026.