The HBO reboot of Harry Potter is five months away from premiering, but work on Season 2 is already underway.
Season 2 of the hit series is set to adapt Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the second book in the franchise.
Deadline reports that Nicholas Hoult has joined the cast of Harry Potter Season 2 as Gilderoy Lockhart.
Gracie Cochrane, who will play Ginny Weasley in Harry Potter Season 1, is not returning for Season 2.
However, like those actors, Hoult now steps into the controversy surrounding Harry Potter and its author, J.K. Rowling.
The HBO reboot of Harry Potter is five months away from premiering, but work on Season 2 is already underway. Season 2 of the hit series is set to adapt Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the second book in the franchise. As with the original films, the producers are looking to recruit the biggest and best stars to play these iconic roles.
Deadline reports that Nicholas Hoult has joined the cast of Harry Potter Season 2 as Gilderoy Lockhart. Renowned as one of the greatest wizards of his era, Lockhart is recruited to be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts for Harry Potter's second year. However, Lockhart might not be the wizard he makes himself out to be. Kenneth Branagh previously played Gilderoy Lockhart in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Warner Bros.
Hoult is best known for his portrayal of Lex Luthor in Superman and is set to reprise the role in the upcoming sequel, Man of Tomorrow. Hoult previously played Hank McCoy / Beast in the X-Men prequel series, starting with X-Men: First Class and concluding with X-Men: Dark Phoenix. Hoult's other notable credits include Mad Max: Fury Road, The Menu, and Nosferatu. His television credits include Skins and The Great.
Harry Potter has already seen some significant changes behind the scenes heading into Season 2. Jon Brown, a writer for Season 1, has been elevated to co-showrunner for Season 2 alongside showrunner Francesca Gardiner. Gracie Cochrane, who will play Ginny Weasley in Harry Potter Season 1, is not returning for Season 2. The search is on for a new Ginny actor, a character who plays a vital role in the franchise's future.
Hoult joins an impressive cast of actors who have signed on for Harry Potter, including Nick Frost as Hagrid, John Lithgow as Dumbledore, and Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape. However, like those actors, Hoult now steps into the controversy surrounding Harry Potter and its author, J.K. Rowling. Rowling has become one of the leading voices in the anti-transgender movement, one that has made her a controversial figure that many of the original Harry Potter actors have already distanced themselves from. While many will be delighted to see Hoult joining the Wizarding World franchise, others will likely be disappointed by the actor's decision.
