HBO has officially found its Gilderoy Lockhart for the second season of its upcoming Harry Potter television series. Actor Nicholas Hoult has been cast as the popular but highly self obsessed Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. The casting announcement comes months before the new Harry Potter series makes its debut on HBO and Max.
The second season will be based on J.K. Rowling’s second Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. The story introduces Gilderoy Lockhart, a professor who appears to be a brave and successful wizard but is much more interested in fame and attention. Lockhart was previously played by Kenneth Branagh in the 2002 movie adaptation of Chamber of Secrets.
Hoult will now take over the role for the television version of the story. His character is expected to become an important part of the second season as Harry and his friends return to Hogwarts for another dangerous year. Lockhart’s confident personality and exaggerated stories about his achievements make him one of the more memorable teachers in the Harry Potter universe.
The new series features a completely new cast of young actors playing the central characters. Dominic McLaughlin will play Harry Potter, while Arabella Stanton has been cast as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout will play Ron Weasley. The adult cast includes John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape and Nick Frost as Hagrid.
Production on the second season is expected to begin this fall. Francesca Gardiner, who developed the series, will continue as co showrunner and will be joined by Jon Brown. Mark Mylod is set to direct and executive produce episodes of the series.
The production team also includes J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley Letts and David Heyman as executive producers. Warner Bros. Television is producing the series for HBO.
Before fans can see Hoult as Lockhart, they will first get to meet the new generation of Harry Potter characters. Season 1 of the highly anticipated television adaptation is scheduled to premiere on December 25 on HBO and Max.
The series is expected to retell the original Harry Potter story in much greater detail than the films, giving fans the opportunity to spend more time with the characters and explore parts of the books that were left out of the movies. With Season 2 already taking shape, the casting of Nicholas Hoult gives fans an early look at one of the key new characters who will arrive at Hogwarts.