Kit Harington Says Jon Snow Is "Not OK" Ahead Of The GOT Sequel

Between Game of Thrones Seasons 7 and 8, HBO embarked on a long process to find an heir. At the time, every spinoff idea pitched (and eventually made its way to development) was a prequel set within author George R.R. Martin’s already-defined Westerosi history. And with the first of those prequels, House of the Dragon, having finished its first season, Martin confirmed the first Game of Thrones sequel, Snow, is also in the works.

The original ideas pitched for a Game of Thrones follow-up were prequels partly because Martin wasn’t interested in a sequel series back in 2016. With two more books still to go in A Song of Ice & Fire, the idea of the story extending beyond that was still too much of a gray area for the author to contemplate.

But six years on, things have changed. Martin may not have come up with a story beyond the crowning of Bran the Broken and Sansa, Queen of the North, but apparently, Kit Harington, the actor who spent a decade playing Jon Snow, did so for his character. On his personal “Not A Blog” website, Martin confirmed the project was brought to the HBO heads by Harington, and the series was in development.

Here’s what else is known about the sequel, the working title of which is Snow.

Snow Potential Plot

Although the show’s existence is now public knowledge, everyone involved have been tight-lipped about what it might cover other than “Jon Snow’s continued adventures beyond the wall.” There’s no word if Jon Snow might have to come south for an emergency, nor who nor what he and the Wildlings might face as an antagonist. But with Westeros now realigned and under the rule of three Starks, there are a lot of potential scenarios for what might come next.

Harington has also remained mum about details. However, speaking at the first official Game of Thrones convention, he did talk about where his character was mentally at the end of the original series. At the panel dedicated to all things Jon Snow, according to Entertainment Weekly, Harington said, “At the end of the show, when we find him in that cell, he’s preparing to be beheaded, and he wants to be. He’s done. The fact he goes to the Wall is the greatest gift and also the greatest curse.”

Harington also did a bit of a deep dive into the emotional trauma of being handed a freedom Snow’s not sure he feels he deserves. “He’s gotta go back up to the place with all this history and live out his life thinking about how he killed Dany, and live out his life thinking about Ygritte dying in his arms, and live out his life thinking about how he hung Olly, and live out his life thinking about all of this trauma,” Harington said, not directly linking this headspace to the new show, but hinting that this could be the genesis of its conflict. “I think where we leave him at the end of the show, there’s always this feeling of like… I think we wanted some kind of little smile that things are OK. He's not OK.”

Snow Development & Filming Updates

The rumors of a sequel first appeared in The Hollywood Reporter, which had also broken stories on the GoT animated projects and the possible Broadway show based on Robert’s Rebellion. Confirmation this was more than a trial balloon to gauge interest arrived a few days later when Emilia Clarke, who played Daenerys in the original series, told the BBC that Harington had developed and pitched it himself.

But it wasn’t until George R.R. Martin weighed in that the potential sequel was officially confirmed. Martin said on his website that he couldn’t give details until HBO greenlighted him to do so. However, he confirmed he is involved, and “[Harington’s] team have visited me here in Santa Fe and worked with me and my own team of brilliant, talented writer/consultants to hammer out the show.”

Harington has continued acting since GoT ended, including taking the role of Dane Whitman in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, he’s also gotten involved in the producing side of things, including 2017’s Gunpowder, which Harington developed, produced, and starred in for the BBC. It’s no surprise that he has a team of people to work with and got the show on the road.

Snow Cast

Since Snow is still in the development stage, there’s no cast confirmed, but with Harington as the driving force behind the project, it’s a good bet he’ll reprise his role as the titular Snow.

Tormund Giantsbane (Kristofer Hivju) is one of the few from beyond the wall who survived the series and traveled with Snow at the end of Season 8, so he’s a possibility to return as well. More than a few fans noted that Tormund, a fan-favorite, would make a great comedy team with the dour Jon Snow. Perhaps there will be some of that in the new series.

Beyond that, it’s anyone’s guess who could make guest appearances or continue in the new series. Harington has an excellent relationship with most of the cast, and cameo appearances from the few surviving Starks aren’t out of the question. Sophie Turner reprising her role as Sansa, Queen of the North, might occur, as could Isaac Hempstead Wright as Bran warning through trees to beyond the wall. Even Maisie Williams could sail in as Arya for a battle or two. It all depends on what direction the show takes.

Snow Trailer & Release Date Predictions

Martin’s blog post confirming Snow was in development also made it very clear that the series is not guaranteed. Considering that the first spinoff, Bloodmoon, made it to the pilot stage before it was abandoned, Martin is hoping to temper expectations. Snow is also competing against other spinoff ideas, including The Hedge Knight, The Sea Snake, and Ten Thousand Ships, all of which are also in various stages of development. Snow has a fighting chance, as it’s the only sequel of the bunch and has an OG lead actor attached already. But until HBO confirms the series is going into production, there’s no way of knowing if and when the show might arrive.