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Kit Harington has a foot in different universes. His profile skyrocketed during his time in Westeros, the world at the center of Game of Thrones. Harington played Jon Snow, member of the Night’s Watch and reluctant hero in a kingdom falling apart. But his time in Westeros ended when Thrones aired its finale in May 2019. Now he’s gearing up to join another wildly popular franchise: he will soon appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Black Knight in The Eternals.

Kit Harington stopped by ACE Comic Con Midwest in Chicago to share everything from what Jon Snow meant to him to why he stans Severus Snape.

Edited for length and clarity

On life after Game of Thrones
“I’ve had a few months off. I’ve had to decompress after Game of Thrones finished. It was such a seismic thing in my life. I’ve had a few months of laying low in London, and it’s been great.”

On playing Jon Snow
“One of the struggles about playing Jon was that I was playing someone who was a better person than me– he’s good to his core. He’s loyal, he’s brave, he’s honest, he’s truthful to his very core. Playing alongside a character like that for 10 years of your life is intimidating. You’re alongside someone who is the very essence of good and brave. So I hope that some of him does live on in me, and that I learn something from him. It’s only now that I realize that I loved him dearly as a person. I really enjoyed playing him.”

On his Stark siblings
“I love [Sophie Turner] to my very bones. The thing about Sophie and me and Isaac [Hempstead Wright] and me– we were with each other so long. And Richard Madden. We became like actual siblings. Some of my fondest memories of Game of Thrones were with Richard Madden. He’s a wonderful man, and he’s still one of my very, very, very good friends.”

Favorite scene to film with Emilia Clarke
“What was really exciting was the very first scene where Jon walks in the Dragonstone throne room and see her [Daenerys] for the first time. This isn’t a world where you have Facebook and Twitter and Instagram– he’s never seen this woman before, but he’s heard of the Dragon Queen. For us– for Emilia and me– it was really exciting, because we’d been friends for six years and seen each other’s work, and never got to meet [as our characters in the show]. And so there was a lot of hype that day on set. I thought it was a beautiful scene. They’re testing the water with each other, and instantly you see that there’s some attraction, but they’ve got their own agenda. I loved it.”

On HBO refusing to give him Longclaw, Jon Snow’s sword
“Selfish, selfish HBO! 10 years of my life, one little sword! I dropped so many hints over the years. I had to call the armorer and I’m getting my own exact replica made. I’m going to bill HBO.”

On which Hogwarts house he’d be sorted into
“I’m the biggest Harry Potter fan. I’d like to say Slytherin, but I am Gryffindor. I’ve thought very deeply about it.”

On his favorite Harry Potter book
“Prisoner of Azkaban, Goblet of Fire, and Deathly Hallows — those three.”

On what House Jon Snow would be in
“Hufflepuff.”

On who to play in a Marauder’s Map prequel:
“Snape. Snape’s the best character ever! The storyline of Severus Snape is the most tragic, wonderful, brilliant– he’s a character that you hate and then end up loving. He’s just phenomenal. I don’t think I’m right for him, so I’ll play Sirius [Black]. But whoever gets to play Snape– that’s a great character.”

On voicing an animated film
“That’s a brilliant gig. You rock up in your pajamas. They find you wherever you are in the world. You can record it in a recording studio and they can Skype in the director who can direct you that way. Honestly, it’s very freeing. I loved it. For many years, [I was playing] Jon Snow [who] was swaddled in dead animals; for him, it can be quite restrictive. But for voice work, you’re free to do whatever you want. I’d love to do more voice work.”

On joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe
“I’m really excited about getting involved in a new world, a new universe. Coming here, I can see just how passionate people are about this world. It’s the first time I’ve met people on that level, talking to them about Marvel. I’m just thrilled. It’s a whole new chapter, and a whole new character to start thinking about. One that– without saying too much at all– on the surface looks a little bit like Jon Snow, but actually there’s a lot that’s different.”

On getting to work with friends on The Eternals
“I’ve been friends with Gemma Chan for a long time, so I’m really excited to work with her. And Richard Madden!”

On who inspires him
“Rose [Leslie], my wife.”

 

Want more from Ace Comic Con Midwest? Check out our panel coverage for Kiernan Shipka & Ross Lynch, Brie Larson and Tessa Thompson and Gwendoline Christie!