In HBO’s new “Harry Potter” series, a cast reshuffle is already underway before the project even premieres. Nicholas Hoult (36) will not take on the role of Gilderoy Lockhart. Instead, Kit Harington (39), best known as Jon Snow from “Game of Thrones,” will step into the part of the notoriously vain Hogwarts professor. This according to industry trade publication Variety.
Officially, scheduling conflicts are behind it
Hoult had only recently been confirmed for the part in early August. Deadline cites scheduling conflicts with two other projects as the reason for his exit. The production schedule for season two apparently could not be reconciled with his existing commitments.
His casting in the series drew strong backlash from fans of the actor as well. The reason is the involvement of “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling, who has faced years of criticism for her transphobic remarks. A Hoult fan account even announced it would refrain from posting about the actor for the time being. Hoult has previously taken on several queer roles, such as in the film “The Single Man” or the TV series “Skins.”
For Harington, the character isn’t entirely new. He has already voiced Gilderoy Lockhart — in the 2025 released “Harry Potter” audiobooks in the full-cast version. Now he will portray the professor on camera for the first time.
J. K. Rowling has in recent years repeatedly questioned the existence of transgender people and has disparaged trans women as, for example, “men” or “criminals.” Last year she called for a boycott of a British department store chain for employing transgender people (TheColu.mn reported). In the process, Rowling also continues to spread further misinformation about transgender people — such as the claim that the Nazis never burned books about transgender identity (TheColu.mn reported). Moreover, the billionaire funds campaigns intended to curb the rights of transgender women. (dk)
