First Footage of Kit Harington in 'Harry Potter' Officially Shows Why Casting Is Perfect

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Kit Harington leaning on a table in an ornate gown in Industry

Published Aug 27, 2026, 11:51 AM EDT

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Kit Harington may only just have been announced as the new Gilderoy Lockhart in HBO’s Harry Potter, but we’ve technically already seen him play the character. The Game of Thrones star is set to take over the flamboyant Defence Against the Dark Arts professor in Season 2 of the television adaptation, bringing one of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets’ funniest characters back to live-action. And anyone wondering what Harington’s interpretation might look — or at least sound — like already has a pretty compelling answer.

Footage has re-emerged of Harington performing as Gilderoy Lockhart in Audible’s full-cast Harry Potter audiobooks, and it shows why fans were so keen for Harington to get the role the first time around. The man is a devoted Potterhead and the sheer joy he feels while embodying the role is energizing, giving fans an early taste of what he could bring to the HBO series. Harington voices Lockhart in the audio adaptation of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, meaning he’ll arrive on the television series having already spent time figuring out the character’s rather unique personality.

Why Is Kit Harington Playing Gilderoy Lockhart?

Harington recently spoke to Collider about the unusual opportunity to play the same character in two completely different mediums, explaining just how much the role means to him:

“Yeah, you’re the first person I’m talking to about this. It just got released. I’m thrilled. I’ve said a million times, for anyone who cares, that I’m a huge Potter fan. I’ve got to be honest, he’s one of my favorite characters. So, to be offered to play him is a real dream. I think he’s going to be so fun. You said, I got to play him in the audio books. That’s not the exact way I’ll play him in the show because it’s an audio book, but I’ve had a taste of him and felt my way around him. He’s just a wonderful creation.”

Harington has also previously discussed his affection for the Wizarding World and the experience of inhabiting Lockhart for the Audible production, saying: “This is a book and a world that I am heavily invested in. To be able to play, in my opinion, one of the best characters in it was a joy.”

Harry Potter is streaming on HBO, with Harington set to make his debut as Gilderoy Lockhart in Season 2.