ⓒCourtesy of HBO

Kit Harington, the star from “Game of Thrones“, will assume the role of the narcissistic Gilderoy Lockhart in the upcoming second season of the HBO TV series “Harry Potter“.

Nicholas Hoult, an actor in “Superman” and “X-Men“, was slated to take on this role a week ago but had to withdraw from the project due to conflicting schedules.

Harington has already lent his voice to the character in Audible’s audiobook version of J.K. Rowling’s second book, “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,” so his selection is far from unexpected.

Lockhart will be a key character in the second season – a well-known and conceited wizard who is appointed as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts, although it becomes clear that he is not suited for the position.

Kenneth Branagh took on the role in the 2002 movie. The series is scheduled to premiere on December 25th on HBO and HBO Max, with the initial season taking inspiration from the inaugural book, “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.”

The second season will begin filming this Fall.