‘Game Of Thrones’ Kit Harington: Sex Harassment “Everywhere” In Show Business

‘Game Of Thrones’ Kit Harington: Sex Harassment “Everywhere” In Show Business

Actor Kit Harington has spoken out about sexual harassment in the entertainment industry, telling the Sydney Morning Herald that allegations against actors, producers and directors aren’t surprising because people “hear stories” about misconduct.

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Harington, who plays King of the North Jon Snow on HBO’s hit series, said “most actors” are aware that assaults on female actresses have been going on “forever,” which he finds “upsetting and disturbing.” He did not address any specific incidents, but noted that sexual harassment is “everywhere” in show business, citing in particular the British theater industry.

“It’s upsetting and disturbing, but it’s not shocking,” said Harington. “I think most actors hear stories, and people in the industry hear stories. It’s just very hard for people to come out and talk about it. But the doors have been blown open a bit, and we can only be thankful for that.”

Harington is making the media rounds in support of Gunpowder, a new HBO historical thriller that he’s producing. The three-part miniseries tells the story of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, the failed scheme by Roman Catholic militants to blow up the House of Lords in London and assassinate the Protestant King James I and many others in the process. The foiling of the plot has evolved into an annual celebration known as Guy Fawkes Night, named after the conspirator who was captured the night before the event with the explosives.

“The story is about a group of violent and angry young men planning on a massacre in the name of their faith,” Harington told the Sydney media outlet. “It’s a story that could be lifted off any modern news channel.”

Harington is filming the final season of Game of Thrones in Belfast.