Kit Harington Responds to "Game of Thrones" Season 8 Remake Petition

Kit Harington, known for his role as Jon Snow in HBO's "Game of Thrones," expressed his anger regarding a 2019 petition that called for the show's final season to be remade with "competent writers." The petition, which began with a goal of 15,000 signatures, ultimately garnered over 1.8 million signatures, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with the series' conclusion.

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In a recent interview with The New York Times, Harington stated, “That genuinely angered me. Like, how dare you? Sorry, that’s just how I feel. I think it was a level of idiocy that can only come about through social media.” He emphasized the significant effort put forth by the show's creators, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, and the entire production team, noting that a single battle scene took 55 consecutive filming days to complete. Harington was in rehab during the premiere of Season 8 and was shocked by the negative reception upon his return.

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The final season of "Game of Thrones" faced extensive criticism for various reasons, including perceived rushed storytelling, character treatment, and technical issues such as lighting and cinematography. The season consisted of only six episodes, a departure from the typical ten-episode format of previous seasons. While earlier seasons received high ratings, Season 8's critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes plummeted to 55%, with audience ratings even lower at 30%. The backlash was further fueled by notable errors, including a misplaced Starbucks cup in a scene.

Game Of Thrones’ Kit Harington Was “Genuinely Angered” By The Viral Petition To Rewrite Season 8

HBO's then-programming chief, Casey Bloys, acknowledged the petition but stated that the network never seriously considered its demands. He remarked, “There are very, very few downsides to having a hugely popular show, but one I can think of is when you try to end it, many people have big opinions on how it should end.” Bloys noted that the petition demonstrated enthusiasm for the series but did not influence their decisions regarding the finale.

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Despite his discontent with the petition, Harington was reportedly involved in developing a spinoff centered on Jon Snow, although this project has been placed on hold. Meanwhile, the "Game of Thrones" universe continues to expand with the spinoff "House of the Dragon," which is set to release its third season, and another spinoff titled "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms," premiering on January 18, 2024. The reception of these new series is under scrutiny, given the controversial ending of the original series.

Game Of Thrones’ Kit Harington Was “Genuinely Angered” By The Viral Petition To Rewrite Season 8

While Harington's comments reflect a personal perspective on the backlash against Season 8, the broader audience sentiment remains divided. Some fans agree with Harington's assessment of the season's rushed nature, while others maintain that the series concluded satisfactorily. The ongoing discussions about the show's legacy highlight the complexities of fan expectations and creator intentions.

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• “That genuinely angered me. Like, how dare you? Sorry, that’s just how I feel. I think it was a level of idiocy that can only come about through social media.” — Kit Harington, Actor

Game Of Thrones’ Kit Harington Was “Genuinely Angered” By The Viral Petition To Rewrite Season 8

• “There are very, very few downsides to having a hugely popular show, but one I can think of is when you try to end it, many people have big opinions on how it should end,” — Casey Bloys, HBO CEO

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