Game of Thrones’ Kit Harington 'consistently letting people down’ when he meets them for the first time
He became a household name almost overnight after the immediate success of HBO's Game of Thrones.
But life outside of the hit show hasn't been easy for Kit Harington.
The Londoner starred in every series of the award winning fantasy drama, based on George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire book series.
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Playing Jon Snow followed his rise from being the bastard son of Ned Stark, played by Sean Bean. We won't say much more for those who haven't seen it - in which case where have you been? - but add in a few dragons, ice zombies, gore, and sex scenes, and you've got the gist of it.
Speaking this week on The Hidden 20% podcast with Autistic & ADHD entrepreneur, Ben Branson, talk inevitably turned to Game of Thrones, despite the show ending in 2019.
Conversation turned to the blurred lines the public has between performers and characters they play.
Fans are a passionate bunch, especially with viral shows like Game of Thrones. I mean, who hasn't cosplayed one of the characters for Halloween?
Given that Harington played Jon Snow for eight long years, with the character eventually becoming the face of the programme, it's a situation that he knows all too well.
After being asked 'do people think you're Jon Snow?', Harington bluntly replies: "Yeah, of course they do."
He said: "And they're really, they're totally disappointed when you're not.
"So every interaction you have, there is the disappointment that just shows in their face immediately when you start talking.
"You're consistently letting people down!"
Branson chirps in, saying as 'soon as people hear your accent', the illusion is ruined. Believe it or not, the west London born actor doesn't have a Sheffield dialect in real life.
Following the end of the series in 2019, Harington checked himself into rehab for alcohol addiction.
At the time, his representatives said: "Kit has decided to utilise this break in his schedule as an opportunity to spend some time at a wellness retreat to work on some personal issues."
It was during his time in rehab that he was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Harington said on the podcast: "I realised that my life was hanging on this.
"Luckily it was the right place at the right time. I managed to forge a new life from there."
Harington told Branson that the alcohol was the 'only thing that was kind of helping' when it came to battling crippling social anxiety.
He says he is able to 'deal with it now', following the success of his rehabilitation.
Please drink responsibly. If you want to discuss any issues relating to alcohol in confidence, contact Drinkline on 0300 123 1110, 9am–8pm weekdays and 11am–4pm weekends for advice and support
Topics: Game of Thrones, HBO, Health, Jon Snow, Kit Harington, TV and Film, Mental Health
Tom Earnshaw