Nicholas Hoult has backed out of his role as Gilderoy Lockhart in the upcoming Harry Potter series amid mounting backlash over JK Rowling‘s involvement.
It has been revealed that the part will now be played by Kit Harington, who has stepped in at the last minute after Nicholas blamed ‘scheduling conflicts’.
Nichola’s role in the series prompted fury from his fans earlier this month, when it was announced he had been cast in the fantasy series.
But just days after the news was announced, it has now been revealed that Nicholas is no longer attached to the project.
He was set to play the conniving but charming Professor Lockhart in the upcoming season, but many fans were dismayed by the actor’s decision.
Some fans objected to him taking a role in a production that Rowling is executive-producing, given her well-publicised opposition to aspects of contemporary transgender-rights activism.
Nicholas Hoult has backed out of his role as Gilderoy Lockhart in the upcoming Harry Potter series amid mounting backlash over JK Rowling
The role was originated by Kenneth Branagh in the 2002 blockbuster film, which earned over $883 million at the worldwide box office
Critics argue participating in the HBO series helps financially support a franchise in which Rowling remains involved, rather than treating the series as completely separate from her political views.
The Golden Globe nominee told Variety previously that giving his voice to the character was easy.
He said: ‘It was a really simple yes, because I love the character.
‘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.’
Filming for the second season of Harry Potter is expected to start this fall, while the first season will come out on HBO and HBO Max on Christmas Day.
The role was originated by Kenneth Branagh in the 2002 blockbuster film, which earned over $883million at the worldwide box office.
Season two of Harry Potter the series was given the green light back in May and is reportedly set to begin filming in the fall – months before season one’s Christmas premiere.
In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Lockhart is a Hogwarts professor who serves as a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.
As per the book series, the character notably takes the credit for other wizards’ ‘heroic deeds’ after wiping their memories.
Hoult is no stranger to playing a villain, having previously portrayed Lex Luthor in the 2025 Superman film starring David Corenswet as the titular superhero.
The actor has gained mainstream Hollywood recognition after famously enjoying TV success in the UK young adult series Skins as well as the Hulu comedy The Great, for which he earned Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.
The HBO reboot of Harry Potter will see 11-year-old Dominic McLaughlin play Harry after the role was famously portrayed by Daniel Radcliffe, 37.
Alastair Stout will star as Ron Weasley, previously played by Rupert Grint, 38, and Arabella Stanton will complete the trio as Hermione Granger, who was played by Emma Watson, 36, in the iconic early 2000s films.
Speaking recently about landing the titular role in the series, McLaughlin told the BBC: ‘I was always a huge Harry Potter fan when I was younger. And it was like the dream role, of course.’
He also called it a ‘bit surreal’, adding: ‘I’m thrilled to be able to be doing it.’
The HBO reboot of Harry Potter will see 11-year-old Dominic McLaughlin play Harry after the role was famously portrayed by Daniel Radcliffe, 37
Alastair Stout will star as Ron Weasley, previously played by Rupert Grint, 37, and Arabella Stanton will complete the trio as Hermione Granger, who was played by Emma Watson, 36, in the iconic early 2000s films; seen in March
Nick Frost is playing the role of Rubeus Hagrid in the TV series, with John Lithgow taking on the role of Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore and Janet McTeer playing Professor McGonagall.
According to Deadline, Jon Brown, a writer on the not-yet-released first season, has been promoted to co-showrunner alongside Francesca Gardiner for season two of the Harry Potter series.
News of Hoult’s casting comes after author Rowling, who is executive producing the HBO series, said in a post on X in June that she had read the first two episodes of the TV adaptation.
The famed author called the episodes, ‘SO, SO, SO GOOD’.
