For millions of fans around the world, Kit Harington and Sophie Turner will always be remembered as Jon Snow and Sansa Stark from the hit fantasy series Game of Thrones. Although their characters shared a complicated family bond in the HBO drama, few expected the pair to reunite years later as romantic leads.
That unexpected reunion happened in the gothic horror film The Dreadful, and according to Harington, filming the movie’s intimate scenes proved to be one of the strangest experiences of his career.
From Siblings to Lovers on Screen
During their time on Game of Thrones, Harington and Turner portrayed members of House Stark who believed they were half-siblings before later discovering they were actually cousins. The actors worked together for years and developed a close friendship off-screen. When Turner approached Harington about joining The Dreadful, she reportedly thought he would be perfect for the role. However, there was one important detail she initially overlooked. Speaking during an interview with fellow Game of Thrones actor Peter Dinklage, Harington recalled reading the script and realizing that the characters shared several intimate moments.
“I said, ‘Sophie, there’s a lot of us getting it on,'” he remembered. Turner had apparently not fully registered just how romantic their storyline would become.
“It Was Gross”
Harington admitted that transitioning from playing family members to lovers felt incredibly awkward. The actor explained that he had known Turner since she was very young and had always viewed her more like a younger sister. Because of that long-standing relationship, filming kisses and intimate scenes together came with an unusual level of discomfort.
“It was gross, but it was fine,” Harington said while reflecting on the experience.
Despite the awkwardness, he emphasized that both actors remained professional throughout filming and were able to complete the scenes required for the story.
Sophie Turner Shared Similar Feelings
Interestingly, Turner has expressed almost identical sentiments about working with her former co-star in a romantic setting. In previous interviews promoting The Dreadful, she described kissing Harington as “vile” and revealed that they both struggled to suppress their reactions after filming certain scenes. The pair’s honesty about their discomfort has amused fans, many of whom still associate them strongly with their Game of Thrones identities. The unusual casting choice quickly became one of the most talked-about aspects of the film.
What Is The Dreadful About?
Directed by Natasha Kermani, The Dreadful is a gothic horror story set in 15th-century England during the Wars of the Roses. The film follows Anne, played by Turner, who lives in isolation with her mother-in-law on the fringes of society. Their quiet existence is shattered when a mysterious figure from the past suddenly reappears, triggering a chain of disturbing events. Harington portrays Jago, a man whose arrival changes Anne’s life forever. The movie marked the first major on-screen reunion between the two actors since the conclusion of Game of Thrones.
Fans Can’t Ignore Their History
Although actors frequently take on very different roles throughout their careers, viewers admitted that seeing Harington and Turner as romantic partners required an adjustment. Years of watching them interact as members of the Stark family created a lasting impression that many fans found difficult to separate from their new characters. Even so, both performers approached the challenge with humor and professionalism. While filming intimate scenes may have been “gross” from their perspective, the experience ultimately became another memorable chapter in the long friendship shared by two of Game of Thrones’ most recognizable stars.
