Kit Harington has confessed that trading his on-screen sibling relationship with Sophie Turner for a romantic one in their new film felt profoundly strange, leading to some comically awkward moments on set.
From Winterfell to Lovers: An Unusual Transition
The actors, who are beloved for their portrayals of the Stark siblings Jon Snow and Sansa Stark in the epic HBO series Game of Thrones, are reuniting for the upcoming British Gothic horror film, The Dreadful. Directed by Natasha Kermani, the film features Turner, 29, as Anne, a woman whose secluded life is disrupted by the arrival of a man from her past, played by Harington, 38.
Harington revealed that it was Turner who initially sent him the script, but she seemingly missed the obvious romantic dynamic between the two central characters. "[Turner] was one that sent that movie to me and somehow didn't see what I saw in it," Harington told E! News. "I was like, 'These guys, these are lovers, right?' I felt very odd about that."
Logistical Challenges and On-Set Gagging
The 'odd' feeling escalated when it came time to film their intimate scenes. Harington humorously highlighted one particular "embarrassing" logistical issue: the significant height difference between them. "It was slightly embarrassing, having to get on an apple box to kiss her because she's about a foot taller than me," he teased. "But other than that, my dignity was pretty intact."
Turner's experience mirrored his discomfort. During an earlier appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers, she recalled Harington's immediate reaction to the script, where he messaged her saying, "Yeah, I'd love to, but this is going to be really f***ing weird, Soph." After re-examining the script and seeing the numerous stage directions for "Kiss, kiss, sex, kiss, sex…", Turner realised the cause for concern.
"Oh, shoot, that's my brother," she remembered thinking. The awkwardness culminated on set during their first kissing scene. "We are both retching. Like, really, it is vile," Turner stated. "It was the worst."
A Cherished Reunion Despite the Awkwardness
Despite the initial weirdness, Harington emphasised that he cherished the opportunity to work with his former co-star again. The experience ultimately strengthened their off-screen bond. "It was a good chance to be with her again and work together," he said. "What was lovely is that we got on set together and our friendship completely ignited again. It felt like being with family. It really did."
The Dreadful, which also stars Marcia Gay Harden, Jonathan Howard, and Laurence O'Fuarain, does not yet have an official release date. Meanwhile, fans can see Harington in The Family Plan 2, the sequel to the 2023 action comedy. The film, led by Mark Wahlberg and Michelle Monaghan, will be available to stream on Apple TV+ from November 21.
