Jon Snow has entered the Wizarding World, but not without a few pointed questions. Kit Harington, the celebrated actor from Game of Thrones, has joined the cast of the Harry Potter audiobook series, taking on the role of the charmingly fraudulent Gilderoy Lockhart. However, in a recent interview, the 38-year-old star also revealed a logical flaw he sees in one of the franchise's most iconic events, sparking discussions among fans globally.
Harington's Puzzling Critique of the Triwizard Tournament
While expressing his love for the franchise, Harington pinpointed an issue with the Triwizard Tournament as depicted in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, which he names as his favourite book and film. He questioned the very point of the tournament from a spectator's perspective.
"It's not a great tournament to watch, is it?" Harington mused in his conversation with Variety. He logically argued that since students cannot see the champions underwater during the second task or inside the maze for the final task, the entertainment value for the rest of the school is minimal. "Other than the dragon one, they don't get to see underwater, and they can't see in the maze, so I don't see what's in it for the rest of the school?" he stated, highlighting a quirky plot hole that many fans have pondered over the years.
Embracing the Role of the Beloved Fraud
On a more magical note, Harington enthusiastically shared his experience of voicing the vain and memory-charming professor, Gilderoy Lockhart, for the audiobook of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. The actor admitted he said "yes" instantly because he adores the character, though he initially wondered why he was chosen for that particular role.
"Why have they come to me for Lockhart?" he recalled thinking. He soon decided not to overanalyse the casting, joking, "I didn't want to go into why that was too much and why they thought that was my casting breakout." His recording sessions were wrapped up quickly, as Lockhart, who features prominently in the second book, only makes a brief reappearance in the later story.
Lockhart: A Cautionary Tale for Creatives
Delving deeper, Harington explained his fondness for Lockhart stems from the character's deeper meaning. He sees the wizard as a perfect fable for those in the creative arts and public life. "He's a wonderful fable... about getting ahead of yourself, hubris and this terrible lesson about seeing who you are but everyone else can see who you are," Harington reflected. He connected Lockhart's journey to the universal fear of being exposed, making the character profoundly relatable beyond his comedic exterior.
This move from the realm of Westeros to Hogwarts marks an exciting crossover for fans of both epic series. While Harington playfully critiques the logistics of a wizard tournament, his genuine appreciation for J.K. Rowling's characters shines through, promising a memorable performance in the upcoming audiobook release.
