Kit Harington, best known for his iconic role as Jon Snow in the series 'Game of Thrones', captivated audiences throughout the show's eight-season run. The 38-year-old British actor became a global star thanks to his portrayal of the brooding and conflicted character at the heart of the fantasy epic. He has since gone on to appear in major film projects including the Marvel Cinematic Universe's 'Eternals'. Now, the actor opens up about a deeply personal struggle he faced during one of the most significant moments of his career.
Kit Harington Sought Treatment During 'Game of Thrones' Final Season
According to Variety, Kit Harington recently had a conversation with former co-star Peter Dinklage for the publication's Actors on Actors series, where he revealed that he checked himself into rehab as the hit's eighth and final season began airing in 2019.
"The first thing I did while the show was airing was go to rehab," Kit said during the interview. "That was my very first port of call. It was a very weird experience, Peter. Like, I decided to go to rehab as episode one was airing. And I was there for six weeks, isolated, without my phone."
Kit explained that he sought treatment because he felt he needed to make major changes in his life. "I needed to go get sober," he said. "I needed to get my head on straight."
Kit Harington Prioritises His Health Over Press Obligations
The actor noted that entering rehab meant stepping away from the show's final press tour, despite feeling pressure to remain in the spotlight during such a major moment for the series. "Actually, that was a big pull to not go to rehab was like, 'Well, wait a minute, there's loads of press that needs to be done, you need to be front and center,'" he continued.
However, Kit made the difficult decision to prioritise his wellbeing. "And it was a good decision to go, 'Do you know what? Actually, I'm checking out. I can't do this.'"
Kit Harington Takes Time Away from Acting to Recover
Following his stay in rehab, the 'Eternals' star took about a year away from acting before eventually returning to work. Looking back on that period, he reflected on how the break gave him time to reassess his life and career after spending nearly a decade playing Jon Snow. The actor's candid revelation sheds light on the pressures of fame and the importance of mental health, even during career-defining moments.
