Kit Harington, the beloved actor who portrayed the tragic hero Jon Snow in HBO’s epic fantasy series ‘Game of Thrones,’ has shed light on why a planned spin-off focusing on his character was ultimately scrapped. While the project was initially in development, Harington revealed that he ultimately decided against it due to a lack of compelling story.
Harington, in an interview with UK’s GQ, clarified that the idea for a spin-off came from HBO, not him. He initially declined the offer, but later explored the possibility of a story focusing on Jon Snow’s life as a soldier after the war. “I felt like there was a story there that was really interesting and important to tell, about this guy who is a soldier who had gone through this war and had seen so much, and had been through so much, and had done so much, and now is trying to find his way in the world,” he shared.
Despite his initial interest, the project ultimately stalled due to a lack of a satisfying narrative. “We tried for a few years and we couldn’t crack it, we couldn’t find a story that felt exciting enough,” Harington admitted. He ultimately decided to walk away, concluding that it was better not to pursue a project that wasn’t truly compelling.
The actor also candidly spoke about the immense pressure and personal struggles he faced after the conclusion of ‘Game of Thrones.’ He checked into a rehabilitation facility to address mental health issues and alcohol dependency, a consequence of the overwhelming impact of the role.
Reflecting on his experience, Harington confessed that playing Jon Snow once again would have been a significant burden. “That was partly the problem. I really needed to, in some ways, just get away from that job and from that character. It had been such a big part of my life. And it was a bit like, I’ve gotta have a break from this,” he said.
Despite his desire to move on, Harington acknowledges the enduring impact of ‘Game of Thrones’ on his life. He recognizes the role’s significance in his career, stating it was arguably his “biggest, most important job.” He also credits the series for connecting him with his wife, Rose Leslie, and giving him the chance to become a father.
However, Harington also acknowledges the challenges of leaving behind such a defining character. “Those are the great things that came out of it, but also those are things that make it hard to move on. It’s hard to say, ‘I want to move on and do something else,’ because you’re always going to be known for that role, and that’s fine, but it’s also a little bit tricky,” he shared. He hopes that as time goes on, he will be able to establish a new identity separate from Jon Snow, but acknowledges it will be a gradual process.
