Nicholas Hoult Replaced By Kit Harington In Harry Potter TV Series

Nicholas Hoult will no longer be appearing in the new Harry Potter TV series.

Two weeks ago, it was announced that the former X-Men star had been cast as Gilderoy Lockhart in season two of the upcoming Harry Potter adaptation, which takes inspiration from the second novel in the wizarding series, Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets.

At the time, the news was met with a mixed response, largely due to the controversy surrounding the franchise’s creator JK Rowling, who is attached to the new TV show in an executive producing role.

However, on Monday evening, it was announced that the British actor had dropped out of the role due to a scheduling conflict.

In his place, Kit Harington will take over as Gilderoy Lockhart, having recently lent his voice to the character in an audiobook retelling of the Harry Potter novels.

“Before we begin year two at Hogwarts, there has been a slight change due to scheduling: Kit Harington will now be stepping into the role of Gilderoy Lockhart,” US broadcaster HBO confirmed on Monday night.

JK Rowling has become an increasingly divisive figure in recent history, due to her views and ongoing commentary on issues relating to transgender people.

This has included the deliberate and repeated misgendering of numerous transgender public figures, as well as donating tens of thousands of pounds to the campaign group which raised the initial legal challenge that led to the UK Supreme Court’s ruling last year that the legal definition of a woman should include only those who were assigned female at birth.

Once the Supreme Court’s decision was reached, she also shared a celebratory social media post showing herself smoking a cigar on a yacht.

Because of this, the Harry Potter series faced controversy before it even premiered, with several cast members being asked about their decision to take part in it during interviews, often while distancing themselves from Rowling and her views.

The franchise’s new Albus Dumbledore John Lithgow admitted earlier this year that he had considered quitting the series when he began to face criticism over his involvement, but ultimately decided to remain a part of it.

Nick Frost, the new Rubeus Hagrid, has also maintained that his and Rowling’s views on trans issues “don’t align in any way, shape or form”.

Meanwhile, Paapa Essiedu, the successor to the late Alan Rickman in the role of potions teacher Severus Snape, raised eyebrows when he co-signed a petition in solidarity with the transgender community, despite his participation in the new Harry Potter series.

And earlier this month, Bel Powley took part in an interview with The Telegraph, in which she defended her involvement in the series, insisting: “I think that the trans community deserve safety and dignity and respect and total acceptance. But I love Harry Potter.”