Game of Thrones’ Kit Harington talks about anger issues and toxic masculinity

Jon Snow was one of the pivotal characters in HBO’s epic fantasy show the Game of Thrones. He was a heroic character who took every wound silently, whether it was physical or emotional. Kit Harington, who played Jon Snow for over 9 years has often resented playing such emotionally repressed character. With his acting profile slowly growing in variety, he took up the chance to speak about toxic masculinity and unresolved anger issues in men.

In a recent interview with The Guardian, Harington pointed out how such men are poor role models for younger generations, recounting his own experience with alcoholism and its ill effects, He said, “I see it everywhere. I see confused men walking the streets. I see terrible role models. I see a lot of anger, and I think we need to start dealing with that anger – we as men, but we as a society as well.”

“What happens to a person when they put down one lifestyle and cross to a different thing? And if that different thing is power, what does that look like?” Particularly, he says, because “addiction gone wrong is a very selfish trait. Even a sober addict can be a very selfish person. It’s a self-centred disease.”

He has been sober for nearly three years, “so I’m well on my path to recovery, and all I can say to anyone thinking about it is it’s a wonderful way of living your life. It saved me, for sure.” Harington’s son has just turned one, which has prompted the actor to reflect on the last year. “I feel like a much more grounded, settled person,” he says. “I’m so grateful that I got sober before having a child.”

Have you ever personally experienced any kind of addiction? How did you overcome it/deal with it? Tell us in the comments below!

 

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