Kit Harington Slams Game of Thrones Season 8 Remake Petition
Kit Harington, known for his role as Jon Snow, opens up about his frustration with the online movement demanding a redo of Game of Thrones' final season, and reflects on the impact of fan backlash.
Kit Harington, who portrayed Jon Snow throughout all eight seasons of Game of Thrones, has spoken out about his frustration with the widespread call to redo the show's controversial final season. In a recent interview, Harington didn't hold back his feelings about the online petition that demanded a new version of the last episodes.
“That genuinely angered me,”
he shared with The New York Times.
“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.”
After the last season aired, nearly two million fans signed a petition on change.com, urging HBO to create a new ending that, in their words, “makes sense.” The petition’s creator, Dylan D., criticized the showrunners, writing,
“[Showrunners] David Benioff and D.B. Weiss have proven themselves to be woefully incompetent writers when they have no source material.”
The eighth season quickly became a symbol for disappointing finales, a sentiment that resurfaced after some viewers expressed similar disappointment with the ending of Stranger Things season 5.
Backlash and Lasting Impact
From scenes that were hard to see, to the infamous Starbucks cup mistake, and what many considered rushed storylines, the final season left a lasting mark on television history for all the wrong reasons. The backlash was so intense that Harington reportedly told his agent he wanted a “no swords” clause in his future roles. Ironically, his Marvel Cinematic Universe character, Dane Whitman, was set up as the Black Knight in the Eternals post-credits scene, hinting at more swordplay ahead.
Meanwhile, fans are still waiting for George R.R. Martin to finish his book series, A Song of Ice and Fire. Work on The Winds of Winter continues, with Martin describing the process as
“the curse of my life”
in an interview from April 2025.
The Franchise Moves Forward
Despite the controversy, the Game of Thrones universe continues to expand. The new spin-off, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, is set to premiere on January 18, and the third season of House of the Dragon is expected to arrive this summer. These new chapters keep the world of Westeros alive for both longtime fans and newcomers.
For those looking ahead, there’s plenty more on the horizon. Our guide to upcoming TV shows and movie releases covers everything you need to know about what’s next in entertainment. Which 2026 series are you most excited for? A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Wonder Man, Lanterns, Spider- Man: Noir, or VisionQuest?