Nicholas Hoult is heading to Hogwarts, with the actor set to play the famously vain wizard Gilderoy Lockhart in Season 2 of Harry Potter.

The highly anticipated series from HBO is due to debut on December 25 on HBO and HBO Max, with its first season adapting the opening novel, ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.’ The series has already been renewed for a second season, which will adapt ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.’

Hoult’s Lockhart will be a major addition to the second season. In ‘Chamber of Secrets,’ Gilderoy Lockhart is a celebrated wizard who has built a reputation by publishing books detailing his supposed heroic exploits. Behind the dazzling smile and collection of bestselling titles, however, lies an extraordinarily arrogant and self-absorbed man.

Lockhart takes on the role of Hogwarts’ new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, but his lack of actual magical ability soon becomes increasingly difficult to hide. The character was previously portrayed by Kenneth Branagh in the 2002 film adaptation of ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.’

Filming on Season 2 of HBO’s Harry Potter is expected to begin this autumn.

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The series stars Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, with Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. The ensemble also includes John Lithgow as Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid.

Behind the camera, Jon Brown, who worked as a writer on the first season, has been promoted to co-showrunner for Season 2. He joins current showrunner and series developer Francesca Gardiner, who also executive produces alongside director Mark Mylod.

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling executive produces alongside Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, as well as David Heyman of Heyday Films. Warner Bros. Television serves as the studio.