The actor, who is currently promoting his role in a four-part adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities on MGM+, addressed why he feels more comfortable revisiting his iconic Game of Thrones character and how the wizarding franchise helped him through his sobriety struggles.
Kit Harington on Revisiting the Shelved Jon Snow Spinoff
The conversation about Harington’s return to the Northern warrior began when podcast host Josh Horowitz asked about HBO’s shelved Snow spinoff sequel. According to Harington, the project was developed for roughly two years before being put on hold. “We developed it two years or so,” Harington told the Happy Sad Confused podcast. “I still think there’s a world in which something could work.”
Harington noted that he, along with HBO and author George R.R. Martin, insisted on halting the project if they could not find the right narrative angle. The initial concept, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter in January 2022 and profiled in Martin’s cover story, envisioned Snow living alone as a broken man dealing with PTSD, having abandoned his direwolf Ghost and sword Longclaw. Last year, writer Quoc Dang Tran boarded the project to revive the concept, potentially shifting the setting to Essos.
Reflecting on the timeline, Harington explained that stepping away to work on other projects changed his perspective. “Now I’ve gone and done all these other things and now I feel more comfortable with that character and that world again and where it sits in my life,” he said.
How Harry Potter Audiobooks Aided Kit Harington’s Sobriety
While the Game of Thrones universe carried heavy personal parallels—including Harington entering rehab following an intense shooting schedule—it was the Harry Potter franchise that provided comfort during his sobriety struggles. Harington told the Happy Sad Confused podcast that listening to the audiobooks became a nightly routine after he stopped drinking.
“My brain is incredibly busy, especially at night, and I’ve always found going to bed very difficult like and my brain doesn’t turn off,” Harington said. “When I got sober that got especially bad. So I started listening to Harry Potter audio books, and now they’re the thing I listen to every night.” He later reiterated to the Los Angeles Times that listening to Stephen Fry’s narration remains an essential part of his sleep routine.
Did you know? Kit Harington voiced Gilderoy Lockhart in Audible’s full-cast audio editions of the Harry Potter books released last year, prior to landing the live-action television role.
Joining HBO’s Harry Potter Series as Gilderoy Lockhart
Following his audio work, Harington was cast in HBO’s upcoming live-action Harry Potter series to play the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor Gilderoy Lockhart in Season 2, taking over the role after Nicholas Hoult exited due to scheduling conflicts. Variety reported that Harington called saying yes to the role a “very simple ‘Yes, please!'” after following the franchise as both a lifelong fan and a daily listener.
Addressing the character’s personality, Harington joked to Horowitz that stepping into the shoes of the vain professor required little effort. “Lockhart is addicted to himself,” Harington quips. “It’s just a tiny step to my left [for me].”
The casting has faced online backlash and calls to boycott the franchise due to ongoing controversy surrounding author J.K. Rowling, who serves as an executive producer on the series. The series is slated to debut on Christmas Day, with production on Season 2 currently underway at Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Kit Harington appear in HBO’s Harry Potter series?
Kit Harington will debut as Gilderoy Lockhart in Season 2 of the live-action Harry Potter series.
Why did HBO shelve the Jon Snow spinoff?
According to Harington, the network, George R.R. Martin, and the actor agreed to pause development because they had not yet found the right story.
Which Harry Potter books does Kit Harington listen to?
Harington listens to the Stephen Fry audiobooks every night to help manage a busy mind during sleep.
What are your thoughts on Kit Harington potentially returning to the world of Westeros or joining Hogwarts? Leave a comment below, and subscribe to our newsletter for more entertainment updates.