Scratch that: Nicholas Hoult won't be heading to Hogwarts after all.
The "Superman" star has been recast in HBO's "Harry Potter" series, less than two weeks after his casting was announced.
Hoult was previously tapped to play the role of Gilderoy Lockhart in Season 2 of HBO's "Harry Potter." But on Monday, Aug. 24, the show's official Instagram account confirmed a change of plans: The role will now be played by "Game of Thrones" star Kit Harington instead.
The switch-up was first reported by Deadline, which said the recasting was due to scheduling issues on Hoult's part. The "Harry Potter" account seemingly confirmed the news via Instagram Story with a photo of Harington along with the onscreen statement, "Before we begin year two at Hogwarts,
there has been a slight change due to schedule."
USA TODAY has reached out to HBO for comment.
Who is Kit Harington's Harry Potter character, Gilderoy Lockhart?
In the "Harry Potter" books, Gilderoy Lockhart is an author who becomes the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts. The character was introduced in the second book in the young adult series, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets," and in the 2002 movie adaptation, he was played by Kenneth Branagh.
Harington previously voiced Gilderoy Lockhart in Audible's full-cast audiobook edition of the novel, which released in December 2025. Speaking to Variety at the time, the "Eternals" actor admitted he's a "complete nerd for the books" and quickly agreed to voice Lockhart.
"It was a really simple yes, because I love the character," he told Variety. "As far as cameos in a series go, you don't get much more entertaining and fun to do as an actor than Gilderoy Lockhart. It was a no-brainer."
HBO's "Harry Potter" will be a new adaptation of J.K. Rowling's original books, with the author serving as a producer. Hoult had faced some backlash from fans for his decision to join the show, as has every member of its cast, due to Rowling's history of controversial anti-trans commentary.
High-profile stars who have already joined the cast of "Harry Potter" include John Lithgow as Dumbledore and Nick Frost as Hagrid. The main three stars playing Harry, Ron and Hermione are largely unknown young actors: Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton.
For Harington, "Potter" will mark a return to HBO after he starred for eight seasons as Jon Snow on "Game of Thrones," earning two Emmy nominations for the role. He has also played Henry Muck on "Industry," which airs on HBO in the United States.
"Harry Potter" premieres on HBO on Dec. 25.
'Harry Potter' TV series full cast list
- Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter
- Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger
- Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley
- John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore
- Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall
- Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape
- Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid
- Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell
- Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy
- Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy
- Elijah Oshin as Dean Thomas
- Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley
- Gracie Cochrane as Ginny Weasley
- Ruari Spooner as Percy Weasley
- Gabriel Harland as George Weasley
- Tristan Harland as Fred Weasley
- Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan
- Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil
- Sienna Moosah as Lavender Brown
- Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley
- Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley
- Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley
- Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge
- Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch
- Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom
- Louise Brealey as Madam Rolanda Hooch
- Bríd Brennan as Poppy Pomfrey
- Richard Durden as Cuthbert Binns
- Leigh Gill as Griphook
- Sirine Saba as Pomona Sprout
- Warwick Davis as Filius Flitwick
- William Nash as Gregory Goyle
- Finn Stephens as Vincent Crabbe
- Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander
- Kit Harington as Gilderoy Lockhart
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nicholas Hoult exits 'Harry Potter' HBO series – See his replacement
