Harry Potter Season 2: Kit Harington Replaces Nicholas Hoult as Gilderoy Lockhart

News from the "Harry Potter" series: According to Deadline magazine, "Game of Thrones" star Kit Harington has been cast as Gilderoy Lockhart in the second season. Nicholas Hoult was originally slated to play the vain wizard. However, due to scheduling conflicts, he had to leave the project.

Harington is already very familiar with the role. Late last year, he lent his voice to Lockhart in the all-star-voiced audiobook series "Harry Potter: Full-Cast Audio Editions." Even back then, Harington spoke about how meaningful the "Harry Potter" books are to him. Quote:

"I read it, and like so many generations, I was entranced, and then I was a huge fan all through my teenage years. I think there's a little bit of Gilderoy in all of us."

Gilderoy Lockhart is one of the most important characters in the second novel, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets", and is brought to Hogwarts as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. The wizard is best known for his penchant for self-promotion. In the 2002 film adaptation, he was portrayed by Kenneth Branagh. Work on the second season is set to begin this fall. The first season of the reboot, meanwhile, is scheduled to premiere on HBO Max this December.

The Cast of the New Harry Potter Series

The cast is made up of both familiar and new faces. We can look forward to the new trio of Harry, Hermione, and Ron. The roles have been cast with Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. The three were selected from a staggering 32,000 applicants.

There was much discussion surrounding the casting of Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape. The Slytherin House teacher is an absolute fan favorite, both in the books and in the films. For many, the character is inextricably linked to Alan Rickman's portrayal. Meanwhile, Janet McTeer will take on the role of Minerva McGonagall. The Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts and Head of Gryffindor House was played in the films by acting icon Maggie Smith.

Most of the Weasley family has also already been announced. The twins Fred and George will be played by Tristan and Gabriel Harland. Ruari Spooner will take on the role of Percy Weasley, while Gracie Cochrane will portray the youngest sister, Ginny. In the second season, however, a different actress takes on the role of the youngest Weasley. Their mother, Molly, will be portrayed by Katherine Parkinson.

The new faces of the Malfoys and Dursleys have also been announced. Lox Pratt takes on the role of young Draco Malfoy, while Johnny Flynn will play his father, Lucius. Among the Dursleys, Bel Powley will play the role of Harry's Aunt Petunia. Daniel Rigby plays Uncle Vernon, and Amos Kitson will be seen as Harry's spoiled cousin Dudley.

"Shaun of the Dead" star Nick Frost plays Hagrid. The gamekeeper at Hogwarts is one of Harry, Ron, and Hermione's closest confidants. Meanwhile, the first actor confirmed for the role was John Lithgow. The "Dexter" actor revealed in advance interviews that he would be playing the powerful headmaster of Hogwarts.

Also joining the cast is Rory Wilmot as the shy but loyal Neville Longbottom. Meanwhile, the famous wandmaker Ollivander is played by "Game of Thrones" actor Anton Lesser. The role of Quirinus Quirrell is taken on by newcomer Luke Thallon. Also joining the cast are Paul Whitehouse as caretaker Argus Filch, Bertie Carvel as Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge, and "Sherlock" actress Louise Brealey as Madam Hooch.

There's also a little surprise in the cast: one of the film's original actors is actually returning to his familiar role! That actor is Warwick Davis, who will once again be seen as Professor Flitwick. The casting for Lord Voldemort remains unknown.