Kit Harington has taken over as Gilderoy Lockhart in the controversial Harry Potter TV series.13:58, 25 Aug 2026Kit Harington's Suffolk home is worth over £1.75million, but that is not the only surprising fact about the star.Game of Thrones legend Kit Harington has hit headlines after taking on the role of Gilderoy Lockhart in HBO's Harry Potter TV remake. He replaces Nicholas Hoult as the notoriously vain Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts.Harington is already familiar with the character, as he voiced Gilderoy Lockhart in the star-studded Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions. He previously told Audible: "I think there’s a little bit of Gilderoy in all of us."The 39-year-old star, from London, was born Christopher Catesby Harington and he made his acting debut on the stage in a 2009 production of War Horse. He has since gone on to star in huge films and TV shows from Industry to Eternals.Harington was named after the English poet and playwright, Christopher Marlowe, whose first name was shortened to Kit - a name the Game of Thrones star preferred. He once admitted to Interview Magazine he had no idea what his full name was until he was 11 years old, sharing: "I was called Kit from day one, really, I only found out my name was Christopher when I was 11."It was very strange, I went to school, and I remember that you had to do these tests to find out what set you’re in - how clever you are. I put down Kit Harington, and they looked at me like I was completely stupid, and they said, 'No, you’re Christopher Harington, I’m afraid'."It was only then I learnt my actual name. That was kind of a bizarre existential crisis for an 11-year-old to have, but in the end I always stuck with Kit, because I felt that’s who I was. I’m not really a Chris." He shared he was only "very occasionally" called Christopher, such as "when I’m applying for a new passport, or something".Kit Harington's net worthHarington, a father-of-two who has been married to his Game of Thrones co-star Rose Leslie since 2018, has a net worth of approximately £10.26 million according to Celebrity Net Worth.The star's breakthrough role came in 2011 when he was cast as Jon Snow in Game of Thrones, which became a cultural phenomenon and proved to be one of the most successful TV shows of all time. For the final two seasons of Game of Thrones, Harington's salary per episode was reportedly £807,000 per episode.Celebrity Net Worth went on to report his total earnings from the entire run of Game of Thrones likely topped £22 million before taxes. Shortly before their marriage, Harington and Leslie bought a luxurious £1.75 million house in the English countryside.It is believed the house, in Brettenham, dates back to around the 15th century and is Grade II listed. The couple's home also boasts a swimming pool and tennis court.Kit Harington's health strugglesHarington has been open about his mental health struggles and how finding overnight fame in Game of Thrones impacted his life. In May 2019, he checked into a mental health and wellness facility to seek help and in 2024, he spoke out about his experience.During his time in rehab, he was also diagnosed with ADHD, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and he spoke about his diagnosis and mental health journey on The Hidden 20% podcast in 2024.His mental health took a turn during his time on Game of Thrones, when he was "trying to project this image of utter sophistication and coolness about what I was doing but genuinely [was] sort of terrified about everything". He said he had a "breakdown" after the show wrapped, after going down a "dangerous rabbit hole" of reading viewers' comments about him.His "rock bottom moment" came while starring in True West in London's West End in 2018. "It was during that play that I sort of collapsed and told people around me what was going on and finally took action," he said.He attempted rehab a number of times, and said of his last rehab visit: "I realised that my life was hinging on this. Luckily, it was the right place at the right time. I managed to forge a new life from there."‌The Harry Potter TV series will air on HBO Max on December 25Article continues belowIf you have been affected by any of the topics covered in this article, call Samaritans any time on 116 123.