MOVIE NEWS – The final season of Game of Thrones left many fans deeply disappointed, and Kit Harington, who portrayed Jon Snow, was shocked by the backlash. The HBO series, based on George R.R. Martin’s fantasy novels, initially captivated the world when it premiered in 2011, quickly becoming one of the most celebrated TV shows. However, the conclusion of the series in its eighth season drastically changed its legacy, with nearly 2 million fans signing a petition demanding HBO redo the season. In an interview with GQ, Harington opened up about his surprise at the negative reaction to the show’s conclusion.

The actor remarked:

“I walked into it with everyone loving Thrones and came out with everyone hating it. I was just like, What the f*ck happened?”

Harington is acutely aware of the intense criticism directed at the Game of Thrones finale. Beyond the petition, some fans even directed their anger at the actors involved in the final season. Now, five years later, Harington offers a candid reflection on the series’ end. He stated:

“Everyone has a right to their opinion. I think there were narrative missteps towards the end. Some creative choices didn’t quite land as intended.”

Kit Harington Discusses the Exhausting Nature of Game of Thrones Production

Being a globally recognized actor brings many benefits, including significant paychecks, global travel, and various perks like sponsorships. However, working on a major TV show is also incredibly demanding. Harington attributes some of the issues with the final season of Game of Thrones to the sheer exhaustion experienced by the cast and crew.

Showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss produced eight seasons of the high-budget, CGI-intensive, globe-trotting series over eight years, an enormous undertaking that took a toll on everyone involved. Harington believes this fatigue contributed to the underwhelming final season. Reflecting on the production, Harington mentioned that he appeared “exhausted” in the final episodes and was somewhat relieved when the series ended. He noted:

“If there was any flaw with the ending of Thrones, it was that we were all just so damn tired that we couldn’t have continued. I understand why some people felt it was rushed, and I might agree. But I’m not sure we had any other option. When I look at photos of myself from the final season, I see someone who is completely worn out. I couldn’t have done another season.”

Harington was expected to reprise his role as Jon Snow in a new spin-off series, but that project has been indefinitely shelved. According to Harington, the decision was made because the creative team couldn’t settle on a compelling narrative. For now, fans will have to wait and see if Harington ever returns to Westeros.

Source: MovieWeb