Nicholas Hoult in The Great and JK Rowling
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Nicholas Hoult’s LGBTQ+ comments resurface after being cast in the Harry Potter TV show

The JK Rowling debate continues

Daisy Phillipson
12th August 2026, 13:00
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Nicholas Hoult has been cast in season two of the Harry Potter TV show, placing renewed focus on his LGBTQ+ following due to JK Rowling’s involvement in the HBO adaptation. 

As revealed by Deadline, Hoult will be playing the villain Gilderoy Lockhart in the second season, which is adapting Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. The character was previously played by Kenneth Branagh in the second Harry Potter movie.

The Superman star is the latest in a long line of stars joining the cast of the HBO show, which is set to cover one book per season and introduce the Wizarding World to a new generation of viewers. 

But the series has been under intense scrutiny due to the author and creator, who has continued to face accusations of transphobia for her views on gender and trans issues. 

Last year, she launched the ​​JK Rowling Women’s Fund, using her fortune from the Harry Potter franchise to provide financial and legal support for individuals and groups challenging trans-inclusive spaces, policies and workplace guidelines.

It’s estimated she’ll still make tens of millions of pounds each year as an executive producer and the primary rights holder of the series, sparking debate anytime an actor joins the cast. 

For Hoult, this is even more intense given his large LGBTQ+ following, resulting from his inclusive roles and support for the community. It’s something he spoke about back in 2018 in the context of his performance as the flamboyant Harley in The Favourite. 

QSaltLake Magazine asked him when he was first aware of his LGBTQ+ audience, to which he replied, “I don’t really see any audience as different, particularly, to be honest with you. I’m just telling stories that I like and then playing characters that I’m interested in. 

“When I’m making things I’m not picking depending on the audience, but that’s really nice of you to say that I’ve got that following. That’s lovely. I guess that would go back to Skins or A Single Man, perhaps.”

Nicholas Hoult in The Favourite
Credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures

Hoult also spoke in support of inclusive representation on screen, saying it shouldn’t even be a conversation anymore.

“It’s like, you just see them as characters, as people and very good actresses. People keep mentioning that (it’s queer) or that it has female leads and it’s kind of surprising and disconcerting that it’s even a conversation at this point,” he said. 

“It’s almost like we should have – I mean, it’s great that the conversation is happening and that these movies are getting made more and more, but it should be up to the point where it’s completely normal and it’s not even something that people have to keep feeling is unusual.”

Many netizens have commented on Hoult’s affiliation with the LGBTQ+ community in light of the Harry Potter news. 

As one X user wrote, “Is Nicholas Hoult aware that everyone who likes him is queer??? Like wdym you’re working at the ‘I hate trans ppl’ factory.”

Another pointed to the fact that he’s starring in the upcoming period drama film Cry to Heaven, alongside stars and trans activists Hunter Schafer and Lux Pascal.

“The concept of Nicholas Hoult promoting his upcoming movie that has Hunter Schafer and Lux Pascal in the cast and also appearing in a rebooted slop franchise created by a transphobe???? All in the same year????” they wrote. 

Film Shrine has contacted Hoult’s representative for comment. 

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Featured images credit: Hulu/X