Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Kit Harington Joins Harry Potter Despite Rowling Controversy
Kit Harington is joining the new Harry Potter television series.
He will play Gilderoy Lockhart, a teacher at Hogwarts.
Harington said he loved the books as a child and still listens to them every night.
He thinks a television series can include more details from the books than the movies did.
Another actor, Nicholas Hoult, was first chosen for the role.
Hoult was later replaced because of scheduling problems.
Some people criticize the show because the story was already made into eight movies.
Others are concerned about the show’s connection to author J.K. Rowling and her comments about transgender issues.
Kit Harington will play Gilderoy Lockhart in the second season of HBO’s Harry Potter series.
Harington said his lifelong love of the books motivated him to join the television adaptation.
He believes a series can explore the seven books more fully than the previous eight films.
Nicholas Hoult was initially announced as Lockhart but was replaced because of scheduling conflicts.
The series has faced criticism over the need for another adaptation and its association with J.K. Rowling’s views on transgender issues.
- Who
- Kit Harington, HBO, J.K. Rowling, and the creative team behind the Harry Potter series.
- What
- Harington will play Gilderoy Lockhart in the series’ second season, replacing Nicholas Hoult.
- When
- The second season is in development; the first season is scheduled to premiere on Christmas Day. Harington’s Audible audio edition was released in December 2025.
- Where
- The adaptation is being produced for HBO.
- Why
- Harington said he joined because he is a lifelong fan of the books and wants to help bring their details to television.
Supporters and Participants
Critics and Skeptics
Why make another adaptation?
Supporters and Participants
Harington and supporters see a television series as a way to explore the books more fully than the films could.
Critics and Skeptics
Some fans question the need for a new adaptation after the books were made into eight films released between 2001 and 2011.
Association with J.K. Rowling
Supporters and Participants
Harington said his personal love of the books was a key reason for joining the series, while Rowling is serving as an executive producer.
Critics and Skeptics
The series has faced backlash because of Rowling’s comments on transgender issues; directors Kate Herron and Ally Pankiw said they turned down approaches to work on it because of her views.
- Role
- Kit Harington will portray Gilderoy Lockhart.
- Season
- The role is in the second season, based on Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
- Previous actor
- Nicholas Hoult was initially announced for the role.
- Reason for recasting
- HBO said Harington took over because of scheduling conflicts.
- Series plan
- The project plans to adapt all seven Harry Potter books.
- First-season premiere
- The first season is scheduled to premiere on Christmas Day.
- Controversy
- The series has drawn criticism over J.K. Rowling’s comments on transgender issues and the need for another adaptation.