The landscape of heroism on screen is undergoing a transformation, and British actor Kit Harington is at the forefront of this evolution. Renowned for his role as Jon Snow, the archetypal hero in the critically acclaimed HBO epic ‘Game of Thrones,’ Harington has since shifted his gaze towards characters immersed in shades of grey. Post-Game of Thrones, the actor has articulated a distinct preference for roles that are far removed from the righteous protagonist he once embodied.
With ‘Game of Thrones’ culminating in 2019 after a spectacular eight-season run, Harington’s career has been a testament to the complexity and depth of the characters he has chosen to explore. The allure of the morally unimpeachable hero seems to have waned for the actor, as he expressed in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.
“That is seemingly what I’ve been hunting a bit. If I look at the roles I’ve taken since playing an out-and-out hero in Game of Thrones, I have to admit there seems to be some sort of pushback about playing a hero. I’m not so interested in heroic roles, and if I am, they have to be pretty anti-hero-ish…” Harington stated, reflecting on his current artistic desires.
Harington’s quest for a divergent path is realized in his latest cinematic venture, ‘Blood for Dust.’ Directed by Rod Blackhurst, this neo-Western crime thriller is set against the unforgiving backdrop of snowy Montana. It is here that Harington introduces audiences to Ricky, a charismatic yet sociopathic arms dealer. Donning a handlebar mustache and a conspicuous gold chain, Harington’s character steers away from the traditional protagonist role, encapsulating a figure that flirts with both charm and malevolence.
The actor describes Ricky as a “devil-on-the-shoulder character, the antagonist who’s with you all the way through. He’s like a good-time guy in a bad world. He doesn’t want to have to face reality.” This description hints at the layered and multifaceted roles that Harington now gravitates towards, finding them more compelling and fulfilling as an actor.
Acknowledging the talents required for portraying classic heroes, Harington commends his colleagues who take on such roles. These actors, he implies, undertake a challenging task, as it can be difficult to make heroic characters engaging and multi-dimensional. Harington empathizes with those facing the challenge, stating, “My heart goes out to people playing heroes. They’re f****** hard to play and to make interesting. It is more fascinating as an actor, I think, to empathize with someone deeply faulted and wrong, to try and find your way into why they are doing these things.”
The actor’s intrigue clearly lies in the paradoxes and struggles inherent within flawed personalities. “(Playing) a guy who is doing all the right things and is driven by being good, it’s harder to do that… But at the moment, I just find it more interesting looking for the f*****-up people,” he candidly expressed, highlighting his current preference for roles imbued with a dark streak.
In an industry that often glorifies the hero and sometimes oversimplifies the heroic journey, Harington’s pursuit of complex, anti-heroic characters is a breath of fresh air. The actor’s discerning eye for nuanced performances not only enriches his own repertoire but also shapes audience perceptions of what a screen character can be. As the cinematic landscape evolves, it is actors like Kit Harington who are redefining the archetypes by embracing roles that mirror the intricacies of human nature. Through his artistic choices, he continues to challenge and redefine the heroic constructs within both English and global cinema.
