Kit Harington is an English actor best known for playing Jon Snow in HBO‘s Game of Thrones, a role he held for eight seasons from 2011 to 2019.
He trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and built his career from the stage before becoming one of the most recognisable faces on television.
Who is Kit Harington?
Kit Harington’s full name is Christopher Catesby Harington.
His mother named him after 16th-century playwright Christopher Marlowe, shortening it to Kit, a name he has used professionally throughout his career.
He was born on December 26, 1986, in Acton, London. He grew up in a family with strong artistic roots and discovered his passion for acting in his early teenage years.
His career spans stage, film, and television. He developed, produced, and starred in the BBC drama Gunpowder (2017), played the Black Knight Dane Whitman in Marvel’s Eternals (2021), and appeared in the HBO drama Industry in 2024.
He has been cast as Gilderoy Lockhart in Season 2 of HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter television series, confirmed in August 2026. The first season is scheduled to premiere on Christmas Day 2026.
Few actors move as naturally between prestige television, theatre, and blockbuster film.
Early Life of Kit Harington
Kit Harington was born to David Richard Harington, a businessman, and Deborah Jane Catesby, a former playwright.
His father holds the title of Sir David Harington, 15th Baronet. Through his paternal line, Harington is a descendant of King Charles II of England.
He has one brother, John Harington. The family moved from London to Worcestershire when Kit was eleven years old.
His great-uncle is Sir Richard Attenborough, the legendary British actor and director. That connection to the arts ran deep in the family and shaped Harington’s early ambitions.
Harington found his love of acting at age fourteen, after watching a production of Waiting for Godot.
A year later, seeing actor Ben Whishaw perform as Hamlet in 2004 convinced him to pursue professional drama training.
Kit Harington Age / Birthday
Kit Harington is 39 years old as of 2026, born on December 26, 1986.
His zodiac sign is Capricorn, a sign often associated with discipline, ambition, and a quiet determination to reach the top.
He has kept that discipline throughout a career built on stage training and consistent character work.
Kit Harington Ethnicity and Nationality
Kit Harington is English and holds British nationality. He has English, Scottish, and Irish ancestry.
Kit Harington Height and Weight
Kit Harington stands at 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall. He weighs approximately 77 kg (169 lbs).
His height is shorter than many action leads, a fact that was addressed openly during his Game of Thrones casting. It never limited the roles he could play or the authority he projected on screen.
That presence came from training and commitment, not stature.
Kit Harington Education
Harington attended Southfield Primary School from 1992 to 1998. When his family moved to Worcestershire, he continued at Chantry High School in Martley, where his interest in acting grew steadily.
He then studied Drama and Theatre at Worcester Sixth Form College from 2003 to 2005. At seventeen, seeing Ben Whishaw as Hamlet sealed his decision to pursue drama school.
Harington moved back to London in 2005 and enrolled at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, graduating in 2008. It was while still a student there that he landed his first major professional role.
Kit Harington Career
War Horse and Stage Debut (2009)
While still finishing his studies at Central School of Speech and Drama, Harington was cast as Albert Narracott in the National Theatre’s West End production of War Horse. The show opened in 2009 and ran to huge critical acclaim.
War Horse won two Olivier Awards. Harington’s performance earned him widespread recognition and a nomination for the Olivier Award for Best Newcomer. That single stage credit made the industry take notice.
It was the role that opened the door to Game of Thrones.
Game of Thrones as Jon Snow (2011–2019)
Harington auditioned for Game of Thrones in 2010 and was cast as Jon Snow, a brooding young man of uncertain parentage who rises to lead the Night’s Watch.
The show premiered on HBO in April 2011 and quickly became a global phenomenon.
He played Jon Snow across all eight seasons, appearing in 62 episodes between 2011 and 2019. As the show grew, so did his salary. By the final seasons, he was reportedly earning $500,000 per episode.
Game of Thrones became the most decorated show in Emmy history with 38 Emmy Awards, and Harington earned two Primetime Emmy nominations of his own: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2016 and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 2019.
Film Career and Gunpowder (2014–2021)
Alongside Game of Thrones, Harington built a steady film career.
He starred in the historical disaster film Pompeii in 2014, played Robert Catesby in his own BBC three-part drama Gunpowder in 2017, and portrayed Dane Whitman in Marvel Studios’ Eternals in 2021.
Gunpowder was a personal project. Harington discovered that Robert Catesby, the leader of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, was his real-life ancestor on his mother’s side.
He developed, produced, and starred in the series for the BBC.
His stage work continued in parallel, with West End roles in Doctor Faustus (2016), True West (2018–2019), Henry V (2022), and Slave Play (2024).
Recent Work and Harry Potter (2024–Present)
Harington joined the HBO drama Industry in 2024, earning strong reviews for his performance. In late 2025, he voiced Gilderoy Lockhart in Audible’s Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions.
In August 2026, it was confirmed that he would play Lockhart in Season 2 of the live-action HBO Harry Potter series, replacing Nicholas Hoult, who left due to scheduling conflicts.
Harington described the role as a real dream, calling Lockhart one of his favourite characters in the books.
His career continues to grow in new directions.
Kit Harington Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | War Horse (stage) | Albert Narracott |
| 2011–2019 | Game of Thrones | Jon Snow |
| 2014 | Pompeii | Milo |
| 2014 | Testament of Youth | Victor Richardson |
| 2017 | Gunpowder (BBC) | Robert Catesby |
| 2021 | Eternals | Dane Whitman |
| 2023 | Extrapolations (Apple TV+) | Various |
| 2024 | Industry (HBO) | Henry Muck |
Kit Harington Awards and Recognition
Harington earned significant recognition for his work on Game of Thrones, with nominations from Hollywood’s top award bodies.
- Primetime Emmy Award nomination – Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, Game of Thrones (2016)
- Primetime Emmy Award nomination – Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, Game of Thrones (2019)
- Golden Globe Award nomination – Best Actor in a Television Series Drama, Game of Thrones (2020)
- Young Hollywood Awards – Actor of the Year (2013)
- Empire Award – Empire Hero Award, shared with the Game of Thrones cast (2015)
He also received the Gold Derby TV Awards multiple times between 2013 and 2016 for his portrayal of Jon Snow.
Kit Harington Brand Endorsements
Harington became the face of Jimmy Choo in March 2014 and returned to the campaign in 2015.
The partnership raised his profile beyond television and positioned him as a style figure in his own right.
He has also worked with Dolce & Gabbana and Nissan as a brand ambassador. These deals added to his income alongside his acting work.
Brand partnerships allowed him to reach audiences who had never watched a single episode of Game of Thrones.
Kit Harington Wife
Kit Harington met Scottish actress Rose Leslie in 2011 on the set of Game of Thrones Season 2. She played Ygritte, a wildling warrior who becomes Jon Snow’s love interest on screen. The on-screen chemistry quickly became something real.
The pair began dating around 2012, though they kept their relationship largely private for some time. They became one of the most popular couples to emerge from the show.
On June 23, 2018, Harington and Leslie married at Kirkton of Rayne Church in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, near Rose’s family estate at Wardhill Castle.
Harington arrived wearing a kilt. Guests included Game of Thrones co-stars Emilia Clarke, Sophie Turner, Maisie Williams, and Peter Dinklage.
Kit Harington Children
Kit Harington and Rose Leslie have two sons together.
Their first son was born in February 2021. Their second son was born in 2023, which Harington confirmed publicly on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
Both children’s names have not been shared publicly. Harington and Leslie have kept their family life largely out of the spotlight.
Kit Harington Net Worth and Salary
Kit Harington’s estimated net worth is $14 million as of 2026. The bulk of this wealth came from his eight-year run on Game of Thrones.
Salary
In the early seasons of Game of Thrones, Harington’s salary grew steadily alongside the show’s success. By Season 7, he was reportedly earning $500,000 per episode.
His total earnings from the show are estimated to exceed $30 million before taxes and fees.
Brand Deals
His endorsements with Jimmy Choo, Dolce & Gabbana, and Nissan added meaningful income alongside his acting work.
These partnerships ran alongside his peak Game of Thrones years and boosted his overall earnings.
Other Ventures
Harington co-produced Gunpowder, expanding his role from actor to executive producer.
His continued stage work and appearances in major productions such as Eternals and Industry sustain his income beyond any one project.
Overall, Harington’s income from acting, producing, and endorsements has made him one of the most financially successful British television actors of his generation.
Kit Harington Social Media
Harington has publicly stepped away from social media.
He has spoken openly about the negative effect it had on his confidence during his Game of Thrones years, describing the comments section as a “box of doom” that damaged him for a long time.
He chose to remove himself from platforms including Instagram and Twitter.
That decision runs against the grain of how most celebrities operate. It is also, by his own account, one of the best choices he has made for his well-being.
There is no verified official social media account run by Kit Harington himself as of 2026.
Conclusion
Kit Harington built one of the most recognisable careers in television by committing fully to a role that could have defined him forever, then pushing past it into theatre, film, and producing.
His work since Game of Thrones shows an actor still choosing challenge over comfort.