Kit Harington Reveals Why He Said Yes to HARRY POTTER and How The Books Helped Him Get Sober

Kit Harington is heading from Westeros to Hogwarts, and it turns out theHarry Potter role means quite a bit more to him than simply joining another massive fantasy franchise.

The Game of Thrones star has been cast as Gilderoy Lockhart in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, replacing Nicholas Hoult, who dropped out because of scheduling conflicts.

Harington already has some experience playing the ridiculously self-important Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, having voiced Lockhart in Audible's Harry Potter Full-Cast Editions.

His casting also comes as HBO's new adaptation continues to face questions surrounding J.K. Rowling and her views on transgender issues.

Some fans have criticized actors for joining the series because they see participation as an endorsement of Rowling's positions. Others separate the books and characters from their creator, while some agree with Rowling's views.

So, why did Harington sign on? For him, it comes down to a lifelong connection to the books. "I’ve been a lifelong Harry Potter fan," Harington told TODAY, explaining why he joined the series.

"I was a fan when I was a kid, and then I rediscovered it as an adult, listening to it every night. I listen to it every single night, and it helps me go to sleep, and I know other people do that as well, so they’re really important books to me."

The actor also shared on the Happy Sad Confused Podcast how the Harry Potter audiobooks helped him in the period after getting sober. “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.

“When I got sober, that got especially bad. So I started listening to Harry Potter audiobooks, and now they’re the thing I listen to every night. So they have a very special place in my heart, and when I knew they were doing this show, I think that’s a brilliant idea.”

Harington also likes what a TV adaptation can offer that the movies couldn't. With entire seasons devoted to individual books, HBO has a lot more room to bring material from the page to the screen.

He told Today, "When I knew this was happening as a series, I thought it was the best idea. Because I love the films, but with this, they can really explore the books at their fullest, and for a book nerd like me, that was a really great idea."

Rowling remains an executive producer on the HBO series, though she isn't expected to have a major day-to-day creative role. Her public comments about transgender issues continue to be a point of contention around the franchise.

The dispute has also caused a major divide between Rowling and some members of the original Harry Potter cast. Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson have both publicly disagreed with her positions, and Rowling later criticized Watson, calling her "ignorant of how ignorant she is."

HBO has maintained that Rowling's personal political views are separate from the material being adapted for television. HBO boss Casey Bloys addressed the issue last year, saying, "The decision to be in business with J.K. Rowling is not new for us. We’ve been in business for 25 years.

“It’s pretty clear that those are her personal, political views. She’s entitled to them. Harry Potter is not secretly being infused with anything. And if you want to debate her, you can go on Twitter."

The reboot begins with Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone this Christmas, with HBO planning multiple seasons that will each adapt another book in Rowling's series.

The first season stars Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom, and Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone premieres on HBO Max this Christmas.