Kit Harington believes that the forthcoming Harry Potter television series is doing the original books "more than justice".
It was revealed in August that the 39-year-old Game Of Thrones star had been cast to play Gilderoy Lockhart in the second season of the upcoming TV series.
The decision followed an earlier announcement that X-Men actor Nicholas Hoult, 36, would take on the character, who was famously portrayed by Kenneth Branagh in the original films.
Harington expressed his delight at joining the cast at the premiere of his upcoming adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Tale Of Two Cities.
“I’m feeling really excited about it,” he said.
“I’ve started filming that. It’s a beloved series of books to me personally and I’ve got one of the characters who I think is just one of the great guest roles there is.”
He continued: “I’m coming for this season and just have such a fun time.
“I think having seen the sets and what they’re doing, they are doing it more than justice.
“It is extraordinary the kind of craftsmanship that’s on work in that show, and in an age of technology and AI and what have you – they’re making everything.”
It was initially announced in August that Hoult would star as the Hogwarts professor in the HBO adaptation of the children’s fantasy novels by JK Rowling.
However, a few weeks later, in a post shared on the Harry Potter Instagram page, it was announced that Harington would be stepping into the role because of “a slight change due to schedule”.
The post featured a picture of the British actor with the caption: “Before we begin year two at Hogwarts, there has been a slight change due to schedule.
“Kit Harington will be stepping into the role of Gilderoy Lockhart.”
The show aims to be a faithful adaptation of Rowling’s novels while providing a wider insight into the magical wizarding world beyond that depicted in the hit film franchise, which ran from 2001 to 2011.
The three main characters are young wizards Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, played by Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton.
The cast includes Paapa Essiedu as Professor Severus Snape and US actor John Lithgow as the wise and powerful headmaster of Hogwarts, Professor Albus Dumbledore.
The first season of the HBO show will launch this Christmas and has been adapted from Rowling’s first novel, Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone.
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