HBO's forthcoming "Harry Potter" television adaptation has cast Nicholas Hoult as Professor Gilderoy Lockhart for its second season, reportedly confirmed by Deadline. Lockhart is the vain, fame-obsessed Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher who features prominently in "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets," and his casting marks one of the show's most high-profile additions to date as production on the new season prepares to begin.

Hoult already has ties to Warner Bros. through his role as Lex Luthor in the recent "Superman" film. The first season of the series, adapting "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone," is due to premiere on HBO Max on 25 December, with the show moving quickly into its second instalment thereafter.