Kit Harington and Peter Dinklage shared some thoughts on Jon Snow’s journey in Game of Thrones that show his storyline in a new light.
Amazingly, Peter Dinklage and Kit Harington had not seen each other since Game of Thrones ended in 2019. However, Variety staged a reunion between the actors who played Tyrion Lannister and Jon Snow, respectively, on the hit series. The pair has since moved into other shows and movies, with Harington starring in the HBO drama Industry and Dinklage most recently popping up in Dexter: Resurrection.
The pair’s dual interview was a lively discussion as they swapped stories of filming Game of Thrones, issues on set, and adjusting to the show ending. That included Harington opening up about seeking help for his substance abuse and being reluctant to do TV again. That changed when he was offered the role in Industry.
Harington and Dinklage refect on Jon Snow’s lack of character development
Harington said he was drawn to playing Sir Henry Muck, a spoiled CEO who, like the actor, struggles with addiction. He recalled telling his agent, "I feel like I’m ready to take on a character arc again. I miss it.” He’s enjoyed taking on a part with some humor as, he stated: “The trouble for me with Jon Snow was that I couldn’t, for many years, be lighter.”
To this, Dinklage responded: “What you said about that arc is really fascinating. Starting from A, going to Z, and they’re a completely different character. To have [Jaime Lannister] push a little kid out the window and then later on you love him — it’s just fascinating to me. That’s the epitome of our show. He tries to kill a kid, and he’s a hero later. That’s how complicated narrative can be.”
It’s true that Jaime did undergo one of the better character arcs of the series. He never fully redeemed himself, yet by the end of the show, he was seen, if not a hero, then in a better light than he began. Other characters likewise were able to show more facets of their characters.
Yes, Jon went on a grand journey in the series from “Ned’s bastard” to leader of the Watch, forming a romantic relationship, dying, coming back to life, and eventually discovering his true heritage. Yet in terms of his actual character, Jon didn’t get to change all that much.
Harington pointed out how his current role gives him a much better arc than he had with Game of Thrones. “With 'Industry,' it afforded me to come in for one season, play a more comedic character, and then the next season really understand him and get deeper and play tragicomic,” he said. “The trouble with “Thrones” — not trouble, it was a glorious thing, but I didn’t have the push-the-kid-out-the-window moment. Jon is good from the word ‘go.’”
Dinklage agreed, saying, “The rest of us got to howl at the moon a bit more than Jon Snow did.”
Dinklage knows that all too well, as he often got some of the meatier scenes in the series—especially in the beginning. Likewise, Sansa, Arya, and Daenerys all had ample opportunities to show their character development, good and bad. They seemed to be granted more chances to show off all aspects of their acting range, while Harington was more or less stuck in one gear as Jon.
Harington did a great job as Jon Snow, yet the character often lacked the same fire to his scenes, making his depiction more of a classic hero type.
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