Kit Harrington had his breakout role as Jon Snow in the HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones. The actor shared screen space with his future wife Rose Leslie, who played Ygritte, Jon Snow’s love interest in the show. While Ygritte died in the show while battling Jon Snow, Leslie and Harrington ending up together has given fans hope.
From On-Screen Tragedy to Real-Life Romance
Actor Kit Harrington is best known for his role as Jon Snow in the fantasy series Game of Thrones. The actor played the bastard son of Ned Stark for eight seasons and was one of the most popular characters in the pop culture-defining show. Harrington was nominated for a Golden Globe and an Emmy for his performance.
However, the biggest win for him from the show has to be finding his life partner Rose Leslie. Leslie played Ygritte, the Wildling who falls in love with Jon Snow, with many fans shipping the two exclusively. While Ygritte succumbs early in the show, Harrington and Leslie ending up together in real life has given fans a lot of solace.
Kit Harrington and Rose Leslie’s Love Story Gives Game of Thrones Fans Hope
A Love Story Born on the Sets of Game of Thrones
“You know nothing, Jon Snow” became the line of the decade back when Game of Thrones was all the rage. The fantasy series became a global phenomenon with the whole world waiting in baited breath for a new season of Westerosi politics unfolding on screen. One of the most popular characters in the show was Kit Harrington’s Jon Snow.
Harrington played the role of the bastard son of Ned Stark who goes to the Night Watch with perfection. The actor was nominated for a Golden Globe and an Emmy for his role and was often rooted for by fans to be the king of the Iron Throne. Jon Snow faced multiple tragedies in the show, but the most harrowing one had to be losing his lady love Ygritte.
The Tragic End of Ygritte
Ygritte is a Wildling who takes to Jon Snow after their encounter beyond the Wall. The two became the ‘it couple’ of the show until Ygritte’s death in season 4, where she dies in his arms. However, all is not tragic with the couple as Rose Leslie, who played Ygritte, and Harrington ended up together in real life. They got married in 2018, and have two children.
“The fact they’re married in real life is the only thing that healed me from this.” – harsh.editzzzz
“The only thing good about this is they’re together in the real world.” – ilia848
“He lost her in the show but won her in life.” – vito_1o3
“Chemistry so good the actors got married.” – _marinatonholo_
“You know nothing, Jon Snow…” – 5manallll.ahmed
While fans hated the tragic ending of the two star-crossed lovers, they seemed to find some solace in the fact that the two actors ended up in real life. The two reportedly began dating after working on the sets of Game of Thrones and got married in 2018. They welcomed their second child in 2023 (via People).
Game of Thrones Crew Was Emotional During Ygritte’s Death
Behind the Scenes: An Emotional Farewell
Early in Game of Thrones, the makers established that the show would not be kind to fan-favorite characters and would be brutal in their ends. Take the ‘Red Wedding’ for example or the death of Hodor, the show was not playing around and gave some truly heartbreaking ends to beloved characters.
However, Rose Leslie’s Ygritte dying in the arms of Kit Harrington’s Jon Snow reportedly made the whole crew emotional. Occurring in season 4 when the Wildlings attack Castle Black, Ygritte hesitates to shoot Jon Snow which leads her to be shot, and then dies in his arms as the battle rages on. Co-creator David Benioff said to EW,
“It was really emotional. With Rose you think back to when we first met her in [casting director] Nina Gold’s office and she came in and read and she was so fantastic, then you flash forward to shooting that scene and it’s hard to believe only been with her for three years and yet she’s one of our favorite people. It’s fitting that her dying shots is one of my favorite shots we’ve ever had on the show.”
Leslie mentioned that she was gifted a bow and arrow as a farewell after her final shot. The bow’s handle was reportedly wrapped in white leather with a red rose emblem.
A Happy Ending Beyond Westeros
While the world of Westeros is filled with betrayal, tragedy, and heartbreak, the real-life love story of Kit Harrington and Rose Leslie brings a much-needed happy ending. Their journey from co-stars to life partners is a heartwarming tale that continues to inspire fans of Game of Thrones.