Kit Harington on Pushing Back Against Hero Roles
Kit Harington, best known for his role as Jon Snow in HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” is ready to explore new territory in his acting career. After portraying the heroic Jon Snow for several seasons, Harington is now seeking roles that are more complex and morally ambiguous. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, he expressed his desire to play “fucked up” characters, rather than traditional heroes.
Seeking Complexity in Characters
Harington admitted that he grew tired of playing the hero by the end of his tenure as Jon Snow. He explained, “If I look at the roles I’ve taken since playing an out-and-out hero in ‘Game of Thrones,’ I have to admit there seems to be some sort of pushback about playing a hero. I’m not so interested in heroic roles, and if I am, they have to be pretty anti-hero-ish.”
He further elaborated on his preference for flawed characters, saying, “My heart goes out to people playing heroes. They’re fucking hard to play and to make interesting. It is more fascinating as an actor, I think, to empathize with someone deeply faulted and wrong, to try and find your way into why they are doing these things. [Playing] a guy who is doing all the right things and is driven by being good, it’s harder to do that.”
Exploring New Opportunities
While Harington was initially involved in developing a “Game of Thrones” spinoff centered on Jon Snow, he confirmed that the project has been shelved. It is possible that his resistance to traditional hero roles influenced his decision not to reprise the character.
Speaking about the spinoff, Harington explained, “I didn’t want it leaked out that it was being developed. I didn’t want the thing to happen where people kind of start theorizing, getting either excited about it or hating the idea of it, when it may never happen. Because in development, you look at every angle, and you see whether it’s worth it.”
He continued, “And currently, it’s not. Currently, it’s off the table, because we all couldn’t find the right story to tell that we were all excited about enough. So, we decided to lay down tools with it for the time being. There may be a time in the future where we return to it, but at the moment, no. It’s firmly on the shelf.”
Embracing New Challenges
With his latest film, “Blood for Dust,” Harington fully embraces his desire to play complex and morally ambiguous characters. The film showcases his talent as he takes on the role of a villain. Set to release on April 19, the movie promises to captivate audiences with its dark and twisted narrative.
As Harington continues to explore new opportunities, he remains committed to pushing the boundaries of his acting abilities. While playing heroes may be challenging, he acknowledges the talent required to bring these characters to life. However, for now, he finds greater interest in portraying flawed and “fucked up” individuals.
As fans eagerly await Harington’s future projects, they can appreciate his dedication to his craft and his willingness to take on new and exciting roles. Whether he’s playing a hero or a villain, there’s no doubt that Harington’s performances will continue to captivate audiences around the world.
