Top 10 Coolest Things About Kit Harington
Kit Harington built a career that stretches from blockbuster TV to thoughtful stage work, and he has kept adding new skills along the way. He trained formally, learned fight and riding techniques for the screen, and stepped behind the camera when a story needed that extra push to get made.
Across television, film, and theatre, he has taken on historical settings, fantasy worlds, modern thrillers, and animation. Alongside the big franchise names like ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘Eternals’, he has made time for limited series, voice roles, and classic plays that show a different side of what he can do.
Breakout as Jon Snow on ‘Game of Thrones’
Harington became widely known for playing Jon Snow on ‘Game of Thrones’. The role required extensive location work, heavy costume and stunt coordination, and close collaboration with a large ensemble cast across multiple seasons. His character arc included long-running storylines that demanded both physical endurance and detailed continuity tracking.
Working on the series meant he had to adapt to changing production schedules and varied climates while maintaining consistency in performance. He also took part in large scale battle sequences that involved coordination with stunt teams and armorers, as well as rehearsals for sword work and formation movement that matched the show’s evolving tactics.
Formal Training at Central School of Speech and Drama
Before screen success, Harington studied at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. The program focuses on vocal technique, movement, text analysis, and stage craft, which provided him with a toolkit for both classical theatre and modern screen acting. This foundation supports his ability to shift between intimate dialogue scenes and physically demanding sequences.
The training also emphasizes collaboration with directors, fight choreographers, and dialect coaches. Harington has drawn on that background during projects that require period language, regional accents, and precise timing, which helps him fit into varied ensembles and genres without breaking tone.
Stage Roots with ‘War Horse’ and Later ‘Doctor Faustus’
Harington’s early stage work included the original London production of ‘War Horse’. The show’s physical storytelling and use of life size puppetry required strict timing and sustained focus, which sharpened his stage presence and stamina for long runs. The production’s demands on voice and projection also reinforced habits that carry over to set work with complex sound environments.
He returned to the West End with roles like ‘Doctor Faustus’. That production involved dense verse, modernized staging choices, and quick shifts in tempo that rely on tight coordination with a live audience. Moving between theatre and screen keeps his technique flexible and reinforces skills that support nuanced performances under pressure.
Onscreen Combat and Horse Riding Proficiency
Harington invested in fight training that includes broadsword work and unarmed choreography for camera. This preparation allowed him to safely perform complex sequences that integrate timing marks, camera angles, and practical effects. The ability to hit cues while maintaining character detail is vital for large action scenes that are filmed in segments.
He also trained in horsemanship for projects with mounted sequences. Working with horses on set requires controlled movements, calm handling, and clear communication with animal trainers. These skills reduce the number of doubles needed for certain shots and help maintain continuity when action scenes cut between wide and close coverage.
Producing and Co-Developing ‘Gunpowder’
Harington served as a producer on ‘Gunpowder’, a historical thriller that dramatizes events around the failed plot to blow up the English Parliament. Producing responsibilities included development input, historical research coordination, and collaboration with department heads to align sets, costume, and props with the period setting.
His involvement extended to shaping the project’s direction and ensuring that narrative goals matched practical production constraints. By working on both sides of the camera, he helped streamline decision making between creative ambitions and scheduling or budget realities, which supports a smoother shoot and clearer storytelling.
Leading Roles in Features Like ‘Pompeii’ and ‘Testament of Youth’
In ‘Pompeii’, Harington took on a physically driven role that combined gladiatorial combat training with large scale effects work. The production used a mix of practical sets and digital environments, which required precise eyeline matching and repeated takes for effects plates. Preparing for this type of role includes conditioning, diet planning, and coordination with stunt teams to maintain safety.
In ‘Testament of Youth’, he shifted to a period drama focused on letters, memory, and the emotional costs of war. This project relied on careful modulation of tone, period appropriate behavior, and subtle reactions that carry the weight of historical context. Switching between action led and character led films shows range in screen craft and preparation.
Voice Work as Eret in the ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ Franchise
Harington voices Eret in the ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ films. Voice sessions for animation are recorded out of sequence, so consistency comes from script notes, director guidance, and playback references. He adapted performance to microphone technique, which captures small changes in breath and timing that shape an animated character’s presence.
Animation also involves additional dialogue recording for action moments and international mixes. Harington supplied variations that match different edits and promotional cuts, ensuring that the character remains coherent across trailers, short clips, and the final feature. This work complements live action projects while using a distinct set of performance tools.
Entry into the MCU as Dane Whitman in ‘Eternals’
In ‘Eternals’, Harington plays Dane Whitman. The role introduces a modern character connected to deeper Marvel lore, which requires coordination with franchise planning and potential future story hooks. He worked within a production that blends location photography with extensive visual effects, which demands exact marks and repeatable timing for composite shots.
The film’s schedule included scenes that interact with characters built with effects heavy processes. Harington provided performance anchors that allow post production teams to integrate digital elements around live action plates. This experience adds another major franchise to his portfolio and expands collaboration with large scale effects pipelines.
Distinct Turns in ‘Criminal: UK’ and ‘Extrapolations’
Harington appeared in ‘Criminal: UK’, a series that stages interrogation room narratives inside a controlled set. The format relies on dialogue intensity, minimal blocking, and continuous takes that highlight timing and delivery. He adapted to the show’s contained environment, which places emphasis on micro expressions and vocal shifts to carry tension.
He also took part in ‘Extrapolations’, an anthology that interlinks stories across different timelines. The project required coordination with multiple directors and casts, as well as an understanding of how individual episodes contribute to a larger thematic arc. Working in anthology formats demonstrates flexibility with tone and structure.
Global Reach from Festivals to Streamers
Harington’s projects have circulated through theatrical releases, festival premieres, broadcast networks, and global streaming platforms. Each distribution path affects marketing timelines, press obligations, and audience reach, so he adjusts promotion strategies for regional rollouts and platform specific campaigns.
This spread across platforms keeps his work visible to varied audiences, from genre fans to viewers of prestige limited series. Coordinating appearances, interviews, and featurettes around these releases requires careful scheduling and consistent messaging that fits different markets.
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