Jon Snow Kit Harington

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17 Feb 2024

Kit Harington

Christopher Catesby Harington, born on December 26, 1986, is an accomplished English actor renowned for his iconic portrayal of Jon Snow in the HBO fantasy television series Game of Thrones (2011–2019). For his remarkable performance, he garnered nominations for a Golden Globe Award and two Primetime Emmy Awards.

Having graduated from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Harington embarked on his professional acting journey in 2009, taking on the lead role of Albert Narracott in the West End play War Horse. Beyond his acting prowess, he showcased his versatile skills by developing, producing, and starring as Robert Catesby in the 2017 BBC drama series Gunpowder.

Harington has also left a mark on the big screen with notable film roles, including the historical romance Pompeii (2014), the period drama Testament of Youth (2014), and his entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe with the film Eternals (2021). Additionally, he lent his voice to characters in the second and third installments of the How to Train Your Dragon film series (2014–2019). With a rich and diverse portfolio, Harington has proven himself as a talent to be reckoned with in both television and film.

Christopher Catesby Harington, born on December 26, 1986, in Acton, west London, is an English actor with a fascinating heritage. His mother named him after Christopher Marlowe, and his first name was shortened to Kit, a name he personally prefers. Surprisingly, Harington only learned his full name at the age of eleven. His parents are Sir David Harington, 15th Bt, a businessman and baronet, and former playwright Deborah Jane.

Harington's lineage is rich with historical connections. Through his father, he descends from Scottish politician Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville. Moreover, he has familial ties to individuals on opposite sides of the Gunpowder Plot (1605). On his mother's side, he claims a connection with the plot's leader, Robert Catesby. On his father's side, he is related to King James I, the target of the assassination attempt, and to Lord Harington of Exton, who was present in the Houses of Parliament during the plot.

His educational journey began at Southfield Primary School from 1992 to 1998. At the age of eleven, the family moved to Worcestershire, and he attended Chantry High School in Martley until 2003. Harington's interest in acting blossomed after watching a production of Waiting for Godot at the age of fourteen. He actively participated in various school productions. Later, he pursued Drama and Theatre studies at Worcester Sixth Form College from 2003 to 2005. Inspired by Ben Whishaw's performance as Hamlet in 2004, Harington decided to attend a drama school. At seventeen, he moved back to London in 2005 and enrolled at the Central School of Speech and Drama, graduating in 2008.

Christopher Catesby Harington initially harbored aspirations of becoming a journalist before venturing into acting. During his time at drama school, he achieved a significant breakthrough by securing the role of Albert in the National Theatre's adaptation of "War Horse." This play not only garnered two Olivier Awards but also brought Harington considerable acclaim, marking a notable start to his acting career. Subsequently, he was cast in his second play, "Posh," a dark ensemble comedy that revolves around upper-class men at Oxford University. These early theatrical experiences contributed to establishing Harington's presence in the acting scene.

Following his success in "War Horse," Christopher Catesby Harington auditioned for and secured his first television role as Jon Snow in the acclaimed series "Game of Thrones." Debuting in 2011, the show quickly gained critical acclaim, and Harington's portrayal of Jon Snow earned him praise. The series, set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos, depicts power struggles among noble families vying for control of the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms.

Harington's role was predominantly filmed in Iceland and Northern Ireland, and he continued to play Jon Snow throughout the show's eight-season run, concluding in April 2019. His performance garnered nominations for various awards, including a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor on Television in 2012 and a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2016. By 2017, Harington had become one of the highest-paid actors on television, earning £2 million per episode of "Game of Thrones."
In 2012, Harington made his feature film debut as Vincent in "Silent Hill: Revelation 3D." His first major lead role in a feature film was as Milo in "Pompeii" (2014). Despite mixed reviews, Harington's career continued to flourish with voice work in "How to Train Your Dragon 2" (2014), which received critical acclaim and won the Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film.

His multifaceted roles in both television and film showcased Harington's versatility and contributed to his rising prominence in the entertainment industry.

In 2014, Christopher Catesby Harington expanded his film repertoire by appearing in "Seventh Son" alongside Jeff Bridges. The fantasy–adventure film received poor reviews but showcased Harington in the role of Billy Bradley. Later in 2014, it was announced that he would star in Xavier Dolan's film "The Death and Life of John F. Donovan," which had its world premiere at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival, though it was met with negative reviews.

Harington's diverse career continued with appearances in the 2015 HBO comedy "7 Days in Hell" and the western thriller film "Brimstone" in 2016, where he replaced Robert Pattinson. In the same year, he ventured into the gaming world by starring as Salen Kotch, the main villain in the first-person shooter video game "Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare." He also took on the lead role in a West End production of "Doctor Faustus," which received mixed critical reviews.
In February 2017, Harington delved into writing, starring in, and executive producing.

"Gunpowder," a three-part historical drama for the BBC based on the Gunpowder Plot. He portrayed his ancestor Robert Catesby in the series, alongside Mark Gatiss, Liv Tyler, and Peter Mullan. Continuing his involvement in theater, he starred in the West End stage play "True West" in June 2018. The play premiered in November 2018 at the Vaudeville Theatre in London and closed in February 2019.

In 2020, Christopher Catesby Harington participated in a virtual performance of an extract from the play "Burn" by playwright Chris Thompson. Later, in September 2020, it was announced that he would join the second season of the Netflix anthology series "Criminal: UK," which received positive reviews upon its premiere on September 16.

Harington made his entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe in August 2019, with an undisclosed role that was later revealed to be Dane Whitman in Chloé Zhao's "Eternals." The film was released in November 2021 and achieved significant success at the box office, grossing $402 million worldwide.

In May 2022, it was announced that Harington would star in "Mary’s Monster," a film portraying author Mary Shelley's mental struggle while writing her 1818 novel "Frankenstein." Additionally, he joined Scoot McNairy and Josh Lucas in the action thriller "Blood for Dust." In June 2022, George R. R. Martin, the author of "A Song of Ice and Fire," revealed that a Jon Snow spin-off series was in early development, with Harington playing a key role in initiating the project. In March 2023, Harington was featured in "Extrapolations."