HBO reboot has been boycotted by many over Harry Potter author’s views on gender
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HBO’s Harry Potter reboot hasn’t even hit our screens yet but it’s been dominating the headlines yet again over the casting (and recasting) of vain wizard conman Gilderoy Lockhart.
Earlier this month, it was reported that X-Men: First Class and Skins star Nicholas Hoult had been cast in the role of Lockhart ahead of filming series two. The role was previously played by Kenneth Branagh in the 2002 film Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Just two weeks later, however, Hoult abruptly left the role, with Game of Thrones actor Kit Harington confirming that he had taken his place.
The Jon Snow star, who voiced Gilderoy in the Potter audiobooks, told Collider that he’s “thrilled” to be taking on the role, adding: “I’ve said a million times, for anyone who cares, that I’m a huge Potter fan. I’ve got to be honest, he’s one of my favourite characters.
“So, to be offered to play him is a real dream. I think he’s going to be so fun.”
According to Variety, Hoult dropped out of the project over “scheduling conflicts”, while the official Harry Potter Instagram page also stated: “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.”
Like many other members of the cast, Hoult faced backlash from a number of his fans who are strongly against the project due to JK Rowling’s involvement. The Harry Potter author has been increasingly known for sharing anti-transgender rhetoric on social media over the last few years, with many in the LGBTQ+ ccommunity calling for a boycott of the new TV show.
While Rowling has long denied that her views are “transphobic”, she was reported to have donated £70,000 last year to For Women Scotland amid a legal battle over the legal status of trans people as applied to the 2010 Equality Act. After the Supreme Court ruled in the organisation’s favour last year, she shared a photo to social media of herself on a yacht, drinking and smoking a cigar.
After reports of Hoult’s casting went public, his Instagram posts were flooded with comments from critical fans. “You know what’s not chic? Supporting Harry Potter in 2026,” one wrote in the comments of a post in which Hoult modelled Prada. “Been a fan for over a decade, this is really disappointing news man,” another said. “Trans lives matter.”
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Meanwhile, fan accounts dedicated to the actor declared that they would no longer be supporting him. “Pausing any posts on this account for the time being. Nicholas Hoult, do better, so many of your fans are hurt,” the account @houltdaily wrote on X.
The Independent has contacted Hoult for comment.
HBO’s Harry Potter reboot will premiere on Christmas Day, with Dominic McLaughlin starring as the titular boy wizard across its many series to come.
