Kit Harington has joined HBO's Harry Potter television series as the wizarding world's celebrity-turned-Hogwarts instructor, taking over the role from Nicholas Hoult.
The character, known to readers as Gilderoy Lockhart, is a vain and self-promoting author who joins the teaching staff at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The role is regarded as one of the more comic parts in the story, calling for a performer comfortable with vanity and charm in equal measure.
It was not immediately clear what prompted the casting change.
The series is one of the most closely watched television projects in development, with plans to adapt the original books over multiple seasons.
“Recasting a role this visible is a big moment, and fans will be watching closely to see how he makes the character his own.”
“Recasting a role this visible is a big moment, and fans will be watching closely to see how he makes the character his own,” said one entertainment industry analyst.
Harington is best known for playing Jon Snow in HBO's Game of Thrones, the fantasy drama that brought him a global following.
Online reaction among fans of the books was swift, with the announcement quickly becoming a talking point across social media.
The original film adaptations, released between 2001 and 2011, became one of the most successful franchises in cinema history. The new series aims to explore the books in greater depth than was possible on film.
The production has been gradually unveiling its cast of young students and Hogwarts staff over recent months. Fans will be keen to learn when the first episodes will be available.
Further casting announcements and details of the release schedule are expected as production continues.
