Kit Harington Still Won’t Admit That He’s Still On ‘Game Of Thrones’

Forget everything you think you know about Jon Snow, Game of Thrones fans, because things just got complicated. As the blockbuster HBO series, based on the equally popular A Song of Ice and Fire novels, enters season 6, it also enters new territory. Since its premiere episode, Game of Thrones has deviated from the source material just enough to keep fans guessing, but still managed to hit all the major plot points, no matter how devastating.

Who can forget the shock of Ned Stark’s abrupt execution on the steps of the Sept of Baelor? Who didn’t watch in fascination and horror as Cersei Lannister unraveled during the Battle of Blackwater? Whose heart didn’t break at Robb Stark’s whispered “Mother” during the Red Wedding? Who didn’t rejoice at King Joffrey Baratheon’s poisoning at the Purple Wedding, and then weep at Oberyn Martel’s gruesome death at the hands of the Mountain? Through even the most notoriously startling moments in Game of Thrones, fans who read the A Song of Ice and Fire novels had a leg up on fans who hadn’t. That advantage disappeared at the end of Game of Thrones season 5, when the television series, for all intents and purposes, caught up with the novels.

In an effort to capitalize on the new situation, the powers behind Game of Thrones have done their best to shroud production of season 6 in secrecy. And eager fans have done their best to find as many spoilers as possible.

One such spoiler is a scene which fans have dubbed the Battle of the Bastards. Reportedly, some fans witnessed a massive battle between the united armies of the North and the army of House Bolton. Predictably, the House Bolton forces were led by Ramsey Bolton. More surprising, is that the army of the North was apparently led by Kit Harington.

Fan site Winter is Coming revealed photographs that show Harington on set in what appears to be a leather armor costume. It’s not clear from the photograph whether or not Harington is dressed as Jon Snow, and that distinction may be important for Game of Thrones fans.

Since Jon Snow was apparently assassinated in the finale of Game of Thrones season 5, everyone from the cast to the head of HBO insist that Jon Snow is well and truly dead. The last shot of the episode, in which the camera lingered over Jon Snow’s pale and lifeless body, seemed designed specifically to cut short any rumors of his survival. But, since he joined the Night’s Watch in Game of Thrones season 1, Jon Snow has almost always appeared in the all black costume of a man of the Wall. Yet, in the photographs obtained by Winter is Coming, Kit Harington wears a blue shirt and brown leather armor. Could that mean that Kit Harington is still a cast member of Game of Thrones, but he is no longer Jon Snow?

Whatever the answer, Kit Harington has opted to play coy. In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, Harington was asked what hairstyle he would consider when the contract that forbid him from cutting his hair ran out, Harington responded, “I can chop it off right now.”

Of course, it’s possible for Harington to be both part of Game of Thrones and able to cut his hair. Men on Game of Thrones often wear their hair short with two exceptions, the Dothraki and the men of the wall. Since Jon Snow presumably won’t return to the scene of his near assassination, Kit Harington may be free to cut his hair as soon as it would make sense in the story.

Despite Harington’s continued reluctance to confirm Jon Snow’s continued existence, expect all questions to be answered when Game of Thrones season 6 kicks off in 2016.

[Image via HBO]