As the second season of HBO’s Harry Potter series gets ready to roll, it is understood that Nicholas Hoult will star as Gilderoy Lockhart.
The Skins star, 36, has reportedly been cast as the tricksy Professor whose heroic tales of bravery in the face of fearsome creatures are uncovered to be false and his true cowardly nature puts our boy wizard, Harry (Dominic McLaughlin), in danger.
In the second book, written by controversial children’s author JK Rowling, Ron Weasley’s (Alastair Stout) sister Ginny is possessed by the diary of a young Voldemort, known as Tom Riddle, and almost dies in the titular Chamber of Secrets.
Kenneth Branagh played the arrogant Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher in the original movie series. But, according to Variety sources, the Mad Max: Fury Road actor is now taking up the mantle.
Hoult is no stranger to starring in a major franchise and is currently the villain Lex Luthor in James Gunn’s Superman and played Hank/Beast in the X-Men movies.
There is no word yet on who will play Ginny, who goes on to become Harry’s love interest in the series. Gracie Cochrane, who played the character in season one, stepped down, prompting a renewed search to fill the role.
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Fans are also waiting eagerly to find out who will play Tom Riddle – portrayed by Christian Coulson in the original – with many hoping it will be Adolescence breakout actor, Owen Cooper.
The first season will start airing this Christmas with eight episodes in total.
HBO’s new series has faced plenty of backlash as well, most due to the universe’s creator, Rowling, maintaining a controversial stance on the transgender community.
The author has been heavily criticised by trans people and their allies for the causes she has supported over the years, such as the Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a woman.
Several of the actors who are associated with this new project have been questioned on their stance on trans rights as a result.
Most recently, Bel Powley, who will play Aunt Petunia, faced criticism for sharing her support for trans people but maintaining that she ‘loves Harry Potter’.
The actress told the Telegraph that she ‘strongly disagrees with Rowling’s views on gender’.
She said: ‘I think that the trans community deserve safety and dignity and respect and total acceptance. But, I love Harry Potter. I grew up with the books. I am from that first generation of readers and, again, I love magic and spookiness.’
Her take has drawn plenty of backlash from those encouraging a boycott of the series.
She’s not the only one who has spoken out against Rowling despite appearing in the new series. Stars such as Paapa Essiedu, who plays Professor Snape, and John Lithgow, who will portray Dumbledore, have both also distanced themselves from Rowling’s views.