In the world of Westeros, love and betrayal are as common as dragons and battles. However, behind the scenes of HBO’s epic series “Game of Thrones,” the filming of these love scenes brought a different kind of challenge, especially for Kit Harington, who portrayed Jon Snow. Unlike most actors who might dream of an opportunity to share a screen kiss with the talented Emilia Clarke, who played Daenerys Targaryen, Harington found himself in a rather awkward position.
A Friendship Too Close for Comfort
The awkwardness stemmed not just from the on-screen romance but from the real-life relationships involved. Harington and Clarke had developed a strong, platonic friendship over the six years of working together on the series. Adding to the complexity, Clarke was also good friends with Harington’s then-girlfriend, now wife, Rose Leslie, whom Harington met on the same set. In an interview with Vanity Fair, Harington shared his discomfort about the situation: “If you’ve known someone for six years, and they’re best friends with your girlfriend, and you’re best friends with them, there is something unnatural and strange about doing a love scene. We’ll end up kissing and then we’re just pissing ourselves with laughter because it’s so ridiculous.”
This unusual dynamic led to some humorous yet uncomfortable moments during filming. After shooting the intimate scenes, Harington would humorously break the kiss and pretend to throw up, a sentiment echoed by Leslie, who would mimic the sound of retching. This shared humor helped the trio manage the bizarre situation, highlighting their strong off-screen bond.
An Unsettling Family Affair
The discomfort was further amplified by the presence of Clarke’s brother, Bennett, who worked in the camera department. Clarke recounted a particularly awkward moment during a panel at the Superhero Comic Con and Car Show, “I do remember the day, our sex scene day, and my brother was in the camera department and he was on set that day. He came and said to [Harington] like, ‘Mate, you gotta get me out of here!’”
Despite the awkwardness, these scenes played a pivotal role in the narrative development of Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen, capturing the complex emotions and alliances that defined “Game of Thrones.” The audience’s reaction to these scenes was mixed, knowing Jon Snow’s true parentage, which added another layer of tension to the unfolding drama.
Lasting Impressions and Unbreakable Bonds
The filming of these scenes, while challenging, did not affect the personal relationships between the actors. Harington, in another interview with Mirror UK, shared insights into the ongoing weirdness, “Even though you’re actors and it’s your job, there’s an element of weirdness when the three of us are having dinner.”
The love scenes between Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen remain some of the most talked-about moments in the series, demonstrating the actors’ professionalism in navigating their complex personal dynamics to bring their characters’ stories to life. As awkward as these moments were for those involved, they contributed significantly to the rich tapestry of “Game of Thrones,” leaving a lasting impact on both the actors and their audience.