Kit Harington believes that the Harry Potter TV series is a 'great idea'

Kit Harington believes that the Harry Potter TV series is a "great idea".

The 39-year-old actor has been cast as Hogwarts professor Gilderoy Lockhart in the small screen adaptation of J.K. Rowling's wizardry novels and explained that he signed up for the show - despite the anger surrounding Rowling's controversial views on trans rights - because he is a "lifelong fan" of the franchise.

Speaking on Wednesday's (16.09.26) episode of Today, Kit said: "I've been a lifelong Harry Potter fan. 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 how other people do that as well, so they're really important books to me."

The Game of Thrones star continued: "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."