Kit Harington, 39, Goes Raw and Reckless in Smoldering ‘Backstage’ Shoot
Kit Harington, 39, is showing that persistence pays off, both on-screen and off. The actor, best known for playing Jon Snow on HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” recently opened up about his early struggles with rejection and how those experiences shaped his career.
Harington, born Christopher Catesby Harington in Worcestershire, England, first discovered acting in school. His mother, Deborah Jane Catesby, encouraged him to apply for the National Youth Theatre, a training program that has produced stars like Helen Mirren and Daniel Day-Lewis. He got in, but his first audition there ended in disappointment. “I didn’t even get in the show,” Harington recalls. “I remember it being like a sledgehammer.”
Despite the early setbacks, Harington kept pushing. Drama schools initially rejected him, but he eventually enrolled at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Before graduating, he landed a lead role in “War Horse” at the National Theatre, which later transferred to London’s West End. “Their faces were just in astonishment, and some people were crying,” he says, reflecting on the experience. “Because no one was looking at me, I could look freely at them. I’ll never have a theatrical experience like that again.”
Kit Harington photographed by Victoria Will for Backstage Magazine. 📷 pic.twitter.com/ShYVCw7a5H
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His big break came in 2011 when he was cast as Jon Snow in “Game of Thrones.” The fantasy epic turned him into a household name and earned him Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. Following the show’s 2019 finale, Harington appeared in films like Marvel’s “Eternals” and returned to the London stage in productions like “Doctor Faustus” and “Henry V.” He also produced and starred in the historical miniseries “Gunpowder.”
Since 2024, Harington has been starring as Sir Henry Muck in HBO’s “Industry.” Henry is a wealthy but flawed entrepreneur, and Harington’s portrayal of his tragicomic rise and fall has drawn praise. “I felt like he had the capacity to go on that roller coaster, that he was a febrile and chaotic person, and that we could have fun with those elements of him,” Harington explained about the role. His own experiences with sobriety informed the character’s struggles with addiction, making the performance deeply personal.
Harington is also preparing for a new role as Sydney Carton in the upcoming “A Tale of Two Cities” miniseries for MGM+ and the BBC. The character, a brilliant but troubled barrister, faces impossible circumstances during the French Revolution. Harington describes the story as “a beautiful love story, but with the backdrop of a chaotic and dangerous world.”
Outside of acting, Harington has found balance in his personal life. He credits sobriety and fatherhood—he is married to his “Game of Thrones” co-star Rose Leslie—for helping him enjoy his work more. “A combination of becoming a father and sorting my shit out—that made me go, OK, this is actually really enjoyable,” he says. Harington also remains connected to theater, stepping on stage every few years to sharpen his craft.
Harington also participated in a sultry photoshoot for Backstage magazine, showing off a darker, more daring side of the actor. The shoot highlights his intensity and charisma, reminding fans that he continues to evolve both as a performer and a public figure.
Kit Harington’s journey is inspiring because it proves that early rejection doesn’t define your future. He turned disappointment into motivation and has continued to grow as an actor and a person. What do you think about Harington’s career evolution and his upcoming projects? Share your thoughts in the comments.
