Kit Harington has addressed the backlash surrounding his casting in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series, explaining that his decision to join the adaptation is rooted in a lifelong connection to J.K. Rowling’s books. Harington is set to play Gilderoy Lockhart in Season 2, taking over a role previously associated with Kenneth Branagh in the 2002 film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
The actor discussed his decision during a September 17, 2026, interview with Today NBC, amid continuing criticism directed at the HBO series because of Rowling’s involvement. Rowling is an executive producer on the show and has faced years of backlash over her public comments concerning transgender issues.
Kit Harington Explains Why He Joined HBO’s Harry Potter
Harington told Today anchor Craig Melvin that Harry Potter has remained an important part of his life since childhood. He explained that he was originally a fan of the books when he was young before returning to them as an adult.
“I’ve been a lifelong Harry Potter fan,”
Harington said during the interview. He added that he listens to the books “every single night” to help him fall asleep, emphasizing how personally meaningful the series remains to him.
That connection was also a major factor behind his interest in the HBO adaptation. Unlike the original film series, which condensed the books into feature-length movies, HBO’s project is being developed as a television adaptation that can spend considerably more time with Rowling’s source material.
“When I knew this was happening as a series, I thought it was the best idea,”
Harington said.
“I love the films, but with this, they can really explore the books at their fullest.”
For Harington, that expanded approach was particularly appealing because he described himself as “a book nerd.” He also praised his Season 2 role, saying,
“the part I’m playing is just the best.”
Harington Replaces Nicholas Hoult as Gilderoy Lockhart
Harington’s casting followed Nicholas Hoult’s departure from the role. Hoult had initially been announced as Gilderoy Lockhart but left the production approximately two weeks later, with scheduling conflicts cited as the reason. His casting had also generated online criticism connected to the broader controversy surrounding Rowling and the franchise.
Harington’s version of Lockhart also gives him a degree of familiarity with the character that goes beyond the HBO production. He previously portrayed Lockhart in the full-cast audiobook adaptation of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, released by Audible in 2025.
Lockhart is introduced in the second Harry Potter story as Hogwarts’ Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Unlike the more serious teachers surrounding Harry, Lockhart is characterized by his flamboyant personality, celebrity status and obsession with maintaining his public image.
The HBO series is scheduled to debut on Christmas Day 2026. The first season stars Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley and Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, with John Lithgow as Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape and Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall.
The Season 2 cast will additionally feature Rafe Spall as Arthur Weasley, Jasper Ambrose as Colin Creevey and Molly Hewitt-Richards as Moaning Myrtle.
