HBO‘s massive adaptation of Harry Potter has just drank some Polyjuice Potion ahead of production beginning for the show’s second season. The adaptation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is set to premiere on HBO Max on December 25 but Nicholas Hoult has suddenly changed appearance and now, he’s been replaced by a Game of Thrones legend.

Reports have confirmed that Kit Harington is officially joining the cast of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets as Professor Gilderoy Lockhart, replacing Hoult in the role after the Superman star had to bow out due to “scheduling issues”. Harington is no stranger to Potter, or the role of Lockhart in fact, as he previously took on the part in Audible‘s incredible seven-part full cast audio drama which released last year, and was utterly wonderful in the role.

Who Is Gilderoy Lockhart?

Gilderoy Lockhart rocks up to Hogwarts as the new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor during Harry’s second year. Lockhart is a pompous celebrity wizard whose “daring exploits” have won him a host of admirers throughout the wizarding world, Harry and Ron are of the belief that he is a “pompous git”. Hermione, meanwhile, develops her first crush on her teacher.

However, beneath the charm lies a very different truth. Rather than accomplishing the incredible feats described in his books, Lockhart has built his reputation by stealing the achievements of other witches and wizards before erasing their memories with powerful Memory Charms. The role was memorably played by Kenneth Branagh in the 2002 film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Lockhart makes a further appearance in Order of the Phoenix which was cut from the films, but will now finally make the screen.

The adaptation remains one of the most ambitious television projects ever attempted, with plans to adapt each of J.K. Rowling’s seven novels across seven seasons. The cast includes Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, and Luke Thallon as Professor Quirrell.

HBO’s Harry Potter Season 1 premieres this December, while Gilderoy Lockhart is expected to make his first appearance when Season 2 adapts Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

via Collider