Kit Harington is heading back to HBO—this time to Hogwarts.
The Game of Thrones star has joined HBO's highly anticipated Harry Potter television series as Gilderoy Lockhart, the flamboyant wizarding celebrity who becomes Hogwarts' Defence Against the Dark Arts professor in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Harington replaces Nicholas Hoult, who was initially cast in the role but was unable to continue with the second season due to a scheduling conflict. HBO confirmed Harington's casting to the BBC.
The official Harry Potter Instagram account announced the change in a post, writing:
"Before we begin year two at Hogwarts, there has been a slight change due to schedule: Kit Harington will be stepping into the role of Gilderoy Lockhart."
The announcement comes as production continues on the new television adaptation of J.K. Rowling's globally successful book series.
For Harington, the casting marks another major collaboration with HBO.
The English actor is best known for playing Jon Snow across all eight seasons of the hugely successful Game of Thrones. He also stars in the HBO and BBC drama Industry.
But Lockhart will be a very different character from the brooding, sword-wielding Jon Snow.
Gilderoy Lockhart is one of the most memorable characters introduced in the second Harry Potter book. A bestselling author and celebrity wizard, he arrives at Hogwarts as its newest Defence Against the Dark Arts professor.
Behind his carefully constructed image, however, Lockhart's reputation for bravery and magical expertise is not quite what it appears to be.
The character was previously played by Kenneth Branagh in the 2002 film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Interestingly, Harington is not entirely new to the role. A lifelong fan of the Harry Potter books, he previously voiced Lockhart in Audible's Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions.
Nicholas Hoult was announced as Gilderoy Lockhart earlier this month, but the actor was reportedly unable to continue because of a clash with his existing commitments after changes to the production schedule.
According to Deadline, which first reported Harington's casting, HBO ultimately released Hoult from his deal due to the scheduling conflict. HBO later confirmed the casting development to the BBC.
Hoult is known for films and franchises including X-Men, Mad Max: Fury Road and Superman.
The upcoming HBO series will introduce a new cast as some of the wizarding world's most recognisable characters.
Newcomer Dominic McLaughlin will play Harry Potter, while Alastair Stout has been cast as Ron Weasley and Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger.
The adult cast includes Oscar-nominated actor Jon Lithgow as Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore and Nick Frostas Rubeus Hagrid.
Harington could also reunite with Mark Mylod, who has worked on Game of Thrones and is set to direct some episodes of the new Harry Potter series. Mylod is also serving as an executive producer.
J.K. Rowling is among the executive producers of the show.
The first season, adapting Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, is scheduled to premiere on HBO Max on Christmas this year.
Season 2 will adapt Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, taking viewers back to Hogwarts for Harry's second year—and introducing Harington's Gilderoy Lockhart.
The series is expected to be a long-term project, with producers planning multiple seasons to cover each of Rowling's seven books. The complete adaptation could take around 10 years to finish.
With Harington now stepping into one of the franchise's most theatrical and eccentric roles, fans will soon get to see whether the man once known as Jon Snow can convincingly transform into Hogwarts' most self-obsessed professor.