Kit Harington has replaced Nicholas Hoult as Gilderoy Lockhart in HBO's Harry Potter TV remake. The Game of Thrones star, 39, takes on the role of the notoriously vain Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts.
Harington is familiar with the character, having voiced Gilderoy Lockhart in the star-studded Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions. He previously told Audible: "I think there’s a little bit of Gilderoy in all of us."
Early life and career
Born Christopher Catesby Harington in London, he made his acting debut on stage in a 2009 production of War Horse. He has since starred in films and TV shows from Industry to Eternals.
Harington was named after the English poet and playwright Christopher Marlowe, whose first name was shortened to Kit. He once admitted to Interview Magazine he had no idea what his full name was until he was 11 years old, sharing: "I was called Kit from day one, really, I only found out my name was Christopher when I was 11.
"It was very strange, I went to school, and I remember that you had to do these tests to find out what set you’re in - how clever you are. I put down Kit Harington, and they looked at me like I was completely stupid, and they said, 'No, you’re Christopher Harington, I’m afraid'.
"It was only then I learnt my actual name. That was kind of a bizarre existential crisis for an 11-year-old to have, but in the end I always stuck with Kit, because I felt that’s who I was. I’m not really a Chris." He shared he was only "very occasionally" called Christopher, such as "when I’m applying for a new passport, or something".
Net worth and property
Harington, a father-of-two married to his Game of Thrones co-star Rose Leslie since 2018, has a net worth of approximately £10.26 million according to Celebrity Net Worth.
His breakthrough role came in 2011 when he was cast as Jon Snow in Game of Thrones. For the final two seasons, his salary per episode was reportedly £807,000. Celebrity Net Worth reported his total earnings from the entire run likely topped £22 million before taxes.
Shortly before their marriage, Harington and Leslie bought a £1.75 million house in Brettenham, believed to date back to around the 15th century and Grade II listed. The home also boasts a swimming pool and tennis court.
Health struggles
Harington has been open about his mental health struggles. In May 2019, he checked into a mental health and wellness facility. In 2024, he spoke out about his experience on The Hidden 20% podcast, where he also revealed he was diagnosed with ADHD.
His mental health took a turn during Game of Thrones, when he was "trying to project this image of utter sophistication and coolness about what I was doing but genuinely [was] sort of terrified about everything". He said he had a "breakdown" after the show wrapped, after going down a "dangerous rabbit hole" of reading viewers' comments.
His "rock bottom moment" came while starring in True West in London's West End in 2018. "It was during that play that I sort of collapsed and told people around me what was going on and finally took action," he said.
He attempted rehab a number of times, and said of his last visit: "I realised that my life was hinging on this. Luckily, it was the right place at the right time. I managed to forge a new life from there."
The Harry Potter TV series will air on HBO Max on December 25.
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