Kit Harington has said the Harry Potter television series is doing the books “more than justice”. The Game Of Thrones actor, 39, was cast as Gilderoy Lockhart in the second season of the upcoming HBO show, following a scheduling change that saw Nicholas Hoult step down from the role.
Harington on his role and the show's craftsmanship
Speaking exclusively to the Press Association at the premiere of his adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Tale Of Two Cities, Harington said he was delighted to have joined the series. “I’m feeling really excited about it,” he said. “I’ve started filming that. It’s a beloved series of books to me personally and I’ve got one of the characters who I think is just one of the great guest roles there is.”
He continued: “I’m coming for this season and just have such a fun time. I think having seen the sets and what they’re doing, they are doing it more than justice. It is extraordinary the kind of craftsmanship that’s on work in that show, and in an age of technology and AI and what have you – they’re making everything.”
Casting changes and the show's adaptation
It was initially announced in August that Hoult, 36, would play the Hogwarts professor, a role Kenneth Branagh was known for in the film series. However, a few weeks later, a post on the Harry Potter Instagram page confirmed Harington would step in because of “a slight change due to schedule”. The post featured a picture of the British actor with the caption: “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 show aims to be a faithful adaptation of JK Rowling’s novels while providing a wider insight into the magical wizarding world beyond the film franchise, which ran from 2001 to 2011. The three main characters are young wizards Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, played by Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton.
Cast and release details
The cast includes Paapa Essiedu as Professor Severus Snape and US actor John Lithgow as Hogwarts headmaster Professor Albus Dumbledore. The first season of the HBO show will launch this Christmas and has been adapted from Rowling’s first novel, Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone.
