Emilia Clarke Confirms Kit Harington’s Jon Snow ‘Game Of Thrones’ Spin-Off: “It’s Happening”

HBO already has a slew of “Game Of Thrones” spin-offs in development, with the first, “House Of The Dragon,” set to premiere on the channel this August. But news of another spin-off, this one starring Kit Harington‘s Jon Snow, made the rounds last week. That show, more of an idea at this point, would be the first “Thrones” series set after the events of the original, which wrapped up to sour reviews back in 2019.

READ MORE: Jon Snow: Kit Harington Attached To A ‘Game Of Thrones’ Spin-Off In Early Development

So, are HBO and Harington for real about this spin-off? According to another “Throne” star, Emilia Clarke, the answer is yes. In an interview with BBC, Clarke confirmed Harington’s involvement with the show. “He has told me about it,” she said, “And I know it exists. It’s happening.” Of course, “it’s happening” in this case means that the show is in early development, along with at least four other “Thrones” spin-offs. That doesn’t necessarily mean HBO will go on to shoot a pilot, approve a series for production, premiere it, and so forth.

But Clarke stressed that Harington’s a big part of the show’s creation. “It’s been created by Kit as far as I understand,” she continued, “so he’s in it from the ground up. So what you will be watching, hopefully, if it happens, is certified by Kit Harington.” Having Jon Snow’s onscreen return be primarily driven by the actor who played him for eight years sounds like a good idea on paper. But one also wonders just what Harington has in store for the character. The show ended with Jon Snow forsaking his right to the Iron Throne and exiling to the North with Tormund Giantsbane and the wildlings. And with a destroyed wall at Castle Black, no more White Walkers, and the wildlings more or less at peace, the “Thrones” world is very different from the one Snow once occupied.

To reiterate: just because Harington and HBO have this show in development doesn’t mean it’s a sure thing. HBO already has a history of scuttling other “Thrones” shows they were once high on, like “Blood Moon,” a prequel starring Naomi Watts, that producers squashed after they hated the pilot. And this unnamed series sits next to four other potential spin-offs known by name only, like “Flea Bottom” and “10,000 Ships,” as well as a couple of possible animated “Thrones” series. So, please do not take these shows as givens: some of them, or all of them, may never reach production.

Still, more Jon Snow is an enticing idea, especially with Harington back as the character. As for Clarke, she’s happy to move on from “Game Of Thrones.” “No, I think I’m done,” she told BBC. After the show’s final season, which she sarcastically titled “best season ever” in interviews before its premiere, who can blame her? Meanwhile, “House Of The Dragon” premieres on HBO on August 21.