Kit Harington cast as Gilderoy Lockhart in HBO's Harry Potter series

Kit Harington has been announced to play Gilderoy Lockhart in HBO's television adaptation of the Harry Potter books, marking his third project with the network after Game of Thrones and the financial drama The Industry.

HBO has cast actor Kit Harington in the role of Gilderoy Lockhart for its planned television adaptation of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, the network said. The part brings Harington back to HBO for a third production following his appearances in the network's flagship fantasy drama and a subsequent financial drama.

Harington's association with HBO dates to the international success of Game of Thrones, and he later returned to the network for the contemporary series The Industry. The new casting announcement continues a pattern of high-profile performers joining the Harry Potter project as HBO builds the ensemble for the much-anticipated adaptation.

Gilderoy Lockhart is a character from the Harry Potter novels by J.K. Rowling. HBO has not disclosed further casting details, episode plans or a production timetable alongside this announcement.

The network has previously signalled its intention to adapt the popular book series for television, and this hire indicates momentum as the project moves forward. Neither HBO nor Harington provided additional comments about the production schedule or creative team at the time of the casting notice.