‘Game Of Thrones’: Kit Harington On Homoeroticism And Keeping His Shirt On

Sep 19, 2019 | Feature

Game of Thrones star Kit Harington dished with Out magazine online about the strong and diverse sexuality of the huge HBO hit, as well as the backlash he’s experienced by his objections to objectification. Hey, guys don’t want to be short-changed as just a pretty face, either. And Harington, who plays the quiet but intense Jon Snow on Game of Thrones, isn’t letting anyone marginalize his acting contributions, despite the backlash for saying that being referred to as a “hunk” was “demeaning.”

“I found it unfair, really, some of the stuff I read [in response]. I was making a point, which was that I think young men do get objectified, do get sexualized unnecessarily. As a person who is definitely in that category, as a young leading man in this world, I feel I have a unique voice to talk about that. I was making a point to sort of say, ‘It just needs to be highlighted.’ With every photo shoot I ever go to, I’m told to take off my shirt, and I don’t.”

Many female Game of Thrones fans as well as actresses have been calling for more male nudity to balance the copious female nudity on the show, but it sounds like Harington may balk a bit at that, unless it’s truly called for in the script. Which is how it should be, to be fair. In his defense, would Game of Thrones fans react the same way if a female on the show stood up for being taken seriously?

Harington also discussed the sexuality of the show with Out, which is aimed at the LGBT community, praising Game of Thrones for having a mix of gay, straight, and bisexual characters, which he says is a rare thing currently in television programming. Having said that, he’s not sure about how fans should take the Night Watch band of brothers on the show.

“There is something homoerotic about that. They all bunk up together. I haven’t really thought about it too much, but they’re brotherly. There’s brotherly love.”

While the brotherly love of the Night Watch has stayed mostly platonic, Game of Thrones fans shouldn’t be expecting any surprises in Jon Snow’s sexuality, as he’s clearly shown his preference for the ladies by hooking up with his Wildling girl. But then maybe his companions at the wall might not be sexy enough to appeal to him in that way, as the reigning “hunk” of the Night Watch.

Just kidding, Kit — rest assured Game of Throne fans take you seriously. They all respect your performances, and love you for your mind; really, they do — so you can take your shirt off now, okay?