Nicholas Hoult to Play Gilderoy Lockhart in ‘Harry Potter’ Season 2

Amanda Bell Mon, August 24, 2026 at 4:57 PM UTC

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Kit Harington - Phillip Faraone/Getty Images

The first season of HBO Max’s Harry Potter series adaptation hasn’t aired yet, but already the streamer has given the green lumos light to a second season… and there’s a new cast switcheroo claiming headlines. This time, it’s Game of Thrones star Kit Harington taking over the role of Gilderoy Lockhart from Nicholas Hoult, who, per Deadline, dropped out due to scheduling issues. Harington previously voiced the role in the audiobook last year.

HBO Max announced in early May that the series was officially renewed and would begin production soon. Shortly thereafter came news that a central character in the second season will be recast.

So what do we know about Harry Potter Season 2 so far? You won’t have to travel to the restricted section or summon up the Room of Requirement to find out. Just read on!

When will Harry Potter Season 2 premiere?

It’s too soon to know when Harry Potter‘s second season will debut, but what we do know is that it will head into production this fall. Season 1’s production officially began in July 2025 and is premiering on the streamer on December 25 of this year. So, if that timing holds, Professor Trelawney would probably predict a winter 2027 premiere.

What will Harry Potter Season 2 be about?

Each season of the Harry Potter series is expected to follow the events of a different book in the series, so while Season 1 adapts Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the second season will likely follow the events of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

In that story, the heroes return for their second year as the Chamber of Secrets is opened, and several people become “petrified,” leading to a big showdown with the basilisk and the implementation of Tom Riddle’s horcruxes.

Who will star in Harry Potter Season 2?

On August 24, Deadline reported that Kit Harington will step into the perfectly coiffed shoes of Professor Gilderoy Lockhart, the extraordinarily vain new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher who becomes a bit of a pain in Harry’s side during his second year at Hogwarts. Originally, it was Nicholas Hoult who was reportedly attached to the role.  A celebrated author with an ego almost as impressive as his résumé, Lockhart quickly proves that his reputation as a heroic wizard may be considerably more impressive than his actual magical abilities. Lockhart was previously played by Kenneth Branagh in 2002’s Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Most of the principal cast is expected to return for Season 2. However, according to Deadline, Gracie Cochraine will not return as Ginny Weasley.

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In May 2026, her family announced in a statement, “Due to unforeseen circumstances, Gracie has made the challenging decision to step away from her role as Ginny Weasley in the HBO Harry Potter series after Season 1. Her time as part of the Harry Potter world has been truly wonderful, and she is deeply grateful to Lucy Bevan and the entire production team for creating such an unforgettable experience. Gracie is very excited about the opportunities her future holds.” HBO said in a responsive statement, “We support Gracie Cochrane and her family’s decision not to return for the next season of HBO’s Harry Potter series, and we are grateful for her work on season one of the show. We wish Gracie and her family the best.”

The rest of the main cast includes Dominic McLaughlin as the title wizard, 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, Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy, Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom, Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan, Elijah Oshin as Dean Thomas, Tristan Harland and Gabriel Harland as Fred and George, Ruari Spooner as Percy, Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil, Sienna Moosah as Lavendar Brown, Finn Stephens as Vincent Grabbe, William Nash as Gregory Goyle, Warwick Davis as Filius Flitwick, and Sirine Saba as Pomona Sprout.

Others starring in the series’ first season include Daniel Rigby as Uncle Vernon Dursley, Bel Powley as Aunt Petunia, Amos Kitson as Dudley, Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch, Johnny Flinn as Lucius Malfoy, Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge, Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell, Katherine Parkinson as Molly, Richard Durdun as Cuthbert Binns, Louise Brealey as Madam Hooch, Brid Brennan as Madam Pomfrey, Leigh Gill as Griphook, and Anton Lesser as Mr. Ollivander, among others.

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HarryPotter Season 1 writer Jon Brown has been elevated to coshowrunner for Season 2.

In a statement, Francesca Gardiner explained, “As we have laid out our plans for the overlapping production schedules to finish season one by Christmas and to return to production for season two this Autumn, it has become clear that bringing on a co-showrunner is the key to maintaining our momentum. I’ve loved working with Jon from the very first day we met on Successionthrough to these recent times together on Harry Potter. Not only do I have huge admiration for his writing, but he’s also a brilliant collaborator and a lovely person. We are lucky to have him.”

And Brown said of the news, “I’m incredibly excited to be collaborating with Francesca as co-showrunner. It has been a joy to write on Philosopher’s Stone, and I’d like to thank Francesca and HBO for putting their faith in me to continue this remarkable journey. Seems you’re never too old to get your invitation to Hogwarts.”

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”