Jon Snow is a main character in the fantasy book series A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin and its TV show adaptation Game of Thrones, where he is played by Kit Harington. In the books, Jon is a key character whose thoughts are shared with readers, and he is one of the most well-known characters in the series. The New York Times has called him one of the author's best creations. Jon is also a central character in the TV show, and his story in the fifth season's final episode caused strong reactions from viewers. Fans of both the books and the show have often discussed questions about Jon's true parentage.
Jon first appears in the book A Game of Thrones (1996) as the son born out of wedlock to Ned Stark, who is the lord of Winterfell in the north of Westeros. Knowing that his status as a bastard limits his future, Jon joins the Night's Watch, a group that guards the northern borders against wildlings who live beyond The Wall. In A Clash of Kings (1998), Jon joins a group sent to investigate the mysterious "Others" beyond The Wall and secretly learns about the wildlings' plans. In A Storm of Swords (2000), Jon discovers the wildlings intend to invade Westeros and falls in love with a wildling woman named Ygritte. He betrays the wildlings and Ygritte to return and protect the Night's Watch from their attack. He is later chosen as the leader of the Night's Watch. Jon appears briefly in A Feast for Crows (2005) and returns as a major character in A Dance with Dragons (2011), where he tries to make peace between the Night's Watch and the wildlings to fight the Others. His ideas face resistance from some members of the Watch, and he is left for dead after a rebellion in the book's ending.
In the Game of Thrones TV series, Jon's story follows the same path as in the books at first. Seasons six through eight continue the story from the latest published book, showing Jon being brought back to life and revealing that he is actually Aegon Targaryen, the legitimate son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. This makes Jon a stronger claimant to the Iron Throne than Daenerys Targaryen. For his role, Kit Harington received many awards, including a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Drama Series in 2019, two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 2016 and 2019, and two Critics' Choice Television Awards for Best Supporting Actor and Best Actor in a Drama Series.
Character
In A Game of Thrones, Jon Snow is introduced as a 14-year-old boy who is the illegitimate son of Eddard "Ned" Stark, the Lord of Winterfell, and the half-brother of Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran, and Rickon. Jon has strong features similar to the Stark family, with a lean body, long face, dark brown hair, and dark gray eyes. His last name, "Snow," is used for children born out of wedlock in the North. Ned’s wife, Catelyn, does not like Jon and sees him as a reminder of Ned’s past mistakes. Jon is the same age as Robb and has a close relationship with his siblings, especially Arya, who feels out of place and shares some of Jon’s struggles. Ned treats Jon kindly, but Jon often feels like an outsider. He learns to be independent and protect himself. Jon admires his father but is hurt when Ned does not tell him about his mother. At the start of the story, Jon adopts an albino direwolf he names Ghost. Later, he discovers that he can sometimes experience the wolf’s thoughts and feelings.
David Orr of The New York Times says Jon is a thoughtful and good character. David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, who created the TV show, explain that Jon must face difficult truths about the world and adapt without losing who he is. Ned Stark teaches his children about leadership, selflessness, and honor. As Jon grows, he struggles with his identity as a man, a Stark, and a member of the Night’s Watch. Benioff and Weiss note that Jon tries to live with honor, even though it sometimes causes harm to his family. Laura Prudom of Variety says Jon has the same strengths and weaknesses as his father, including fighting with honor even when others do not.
Jon is a main character in the books and is considered one of George R. R. Martin’s best creations. He is introduced as the illegitimate son of a Northern lord who feels like an outsider in his family. He joins the Night’s Watch, a group that guards the North, and is at first seen as different from other members because of his background. Jon quickly proves himself to be wise, kind, and a natural leader. Over time, his loyalty to the Night’s Watch, his family, and Westeros is tested as he works with wildlings from Beyond the Wall. He lives among them as a spy, becomes close to a wildling named Ygritte, and later betrays them to protect the Wall. Later, as the leader of the Night’s Watch, Jon tries to form an alliance with the wildlings.
In 2011’s A Dance with Dragons, Jon, Daenerys Targaryen, and Tyrion Lannister return to the story, which fans had missed from the previous book. Jon’s leadership is challenged by wildlings, the demands of Stannis Baratheon, and conflicts within the Night’s Watch. The New York Times says Jon’s leadership is crucial to Westeros, but he is in danger throughout the book. James Hibberd of Entertainment Weekly said Jon’s final chapter in A Dance with Dragons was disappointing because it ended with his men turning against him. It is unclear if Jon will appear in the next book, The Winds of Winter.
When asked about Jon’s biggest mistake, Martin did not answer directly. Readers have guessed Jon’s mother’s identity, and this was a test for the TV show creators, Benioff and Weiss. In the books, some believe Jon’s mother is a servant named Wylla or a noblewoman named Ashara Dayne. A popular theory, called R+L=J, suggests Jon is the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark, Ned’s sister, not Ned. Ned claimed Jon as his own child to protect him from danger.
Ned’s story in A Game of Thrones explains that Rhaegar, a Targaryen prince, publicly favored Lyanna, Ned’s sister, over his wife. A year later, Rhaegar and Lyanna disappeared. Their father, Rickard, and brother, Brandon, confronted Rhaegar’s father, King Aerys, demanding Lyanna’s return. Aerys had Rickard and Brandon killed, leading Ned and Robert Baratheon to rebel. After the rebellion, Ned found Lyanna dying in a "bed of blood" and promised to protect her son, Jon.
The R+L=J theory says Rhaegar and Lyanna ran away together, had a child, and Jon is their son. Rhaegar was killed in battle, and Lyanna died in childbirth. Ned promised to protect Jon from Robert, who wanted to kill all Targaryens. HBO’s TV show has included clues supporting this theory. In season 6, Bran Stark sees a vision of Ned promising to protect Jon. An infographic on HBO’s website confirmed Rhaegar as Jon’s father. In season 7, a scene showed Jon’s dragon, Drogon, approaching him calmly.
Storylines
Jon Snow is first introduced in A Game of Thrones (1996) when he and his five siblings take in six orphaned direwolf cubs. Jon chooses the smallest cub, a white one he names Ghost. Known as Ned Stark’s illegitimate son and disliked by Ned’s wife, Catelyn, Jon feels disconnected from his family. He decides to join the Night’s Watch because his status as a bastard prevents him from inheriting land or marrying into a noble family. A life in the Night’s Watch offers him a chance to earn respect and rise in rank. At The Wall, other recruits are jealous of Jon’s confidence, but he earns their respect by teaching them sword skills. He becomes friends with Samwell Tarly, a timid noble who is not skilled with weapons but is very smart. Jon’s leadership and kindness anger Alliser Thorne, a strict training officer who sees Jon as a challenge to his authority. Jon impresses Lord Commander Jeor Mormont, who names Jon his personal squire and prepares him for leadership. After a dead Night’s Watch member is brought back as an undead creature, Jon saves Mormont’s life by killing the monster. In gratitude, Mormont gives Jon the sword Longclaw, made of strong Valyrian steel and shaped with a wolf’s head for Jon. Jon struggles with his loyalty to the Night’s Watch and his family after learning of Ned’s execution and his half-brother Robb’s rebellion. He plans to leave the Night’s Watch to join Robb, but his friends convince him to stay. Mormont learns of Jon’s plan but tells him the greater threat beyond The Wall is more urgent. Mormont then sends Jon on a mission beyond The Wall.
In A Clash of Kings (1998), Mormont leads a group of Night’s Watch rangers to investigate the disappearance of Jon’s uncle, Benjen, and to learn about the wildlings and the mysterious Others. Jon is sent with a scouting team led by Qhorin Halfhand. During the journey, Jon captures a wildling woman named Ygritte but lets her go after being told to kill her. Jon and Qhorin are later captured by the wildlings. Facing death, Qhorin tells Jon to infiltrate the wildlings and learn their plans at any cost. Jon pretends to abandon the Night’s Watch and fights Qhorin to the death to gain the wildlings’ trust. With Qhorin’s silent approval, Jon kills him with Ghost’s help.
At the start of A Storm of Swords (2000), Jon lives among the wildlings and learns their leader, Mance Rayder, plans to attack The Wall to escape the Others. Jon breaks his vow of celibacy by falling in love with Ygritte but feels torn between his loyalty to the Night’s Watch and his growing feelings for her. After escaping with Ygritte, Jon returns to warn the Night’s Watch of the attack. He helps defend Castle Black against the wildlings despite his injuries. Ygritte is killed in battle, and Jon is deeply saddened. After Donal Noye is killed, Jon takes command of the Wall’s defense. When Thorne and Janos Slynt arrive, they try to have Jon executed for desertion. Jon is cleared of wrongdoing but is ordered by Thorne to kill Mance during a meeting. Stannis Baratheon arrives with his army and defeats the wildlings. Stannis offers Jon the chance to become a true Stark by joining his cause, but Jon refuses and stays loyal to the Night’s Watch. With Sam’s help, Jon is elected as the new Lord Commander.
Jon is not the main character in A Feast for Crows (2005) but is briefly mentioned by Sam, who sends him away with Maester Aemon and Mance’s newborn son to protect them from a priestess named Melisandre. Jon also sends Sam to the Citadel in Oldtown to become a maester so he can study the Others.
In A Dance with Dragons (2011), Jon works to prepare the realm for the Others while managing conflicts with the wildlings, the Night’s Watch, and Stannis’s war for the throne. He executes Slynt for disobeying orders, causing tension within the Watch. Jon advises Stannis not to attack the Dreadfort and plans to settle the wildlings in northern regions. Some Night’s Watch members oppose allowing wildlings into their ranks. Jon learns his sister Arya is being forced to marry Ramsay Bolton but discovers the bride is actually Jeyne Poole, who is pretending to be Arya. He allows Melisandre to rescue Jeyne. Later, Jon receives a letter from Ramsay claiming Stannis has been defeated and demands hostages. Ramsay threatens to attack The Wall if Jon refuses. Jon decides to kill Ramsay himself, breaking his neutrality. He is stabbed by his Night’s Watch brothers during a mutiny.
Jon’s fate in the upcoming book The Winds of Winter is unclear. When asked in 2011 if Jon was killed, author George R.R. Martin replied, “Oh, you think he’s dead, do you?” When asked if Jon survives, Martin laughed and said, “I will not comment on that.”
TV adaptation
In 2014, George R.R. Martin told Rolling Stone that early suggestions for adapting A Song of Ice and Fire focused on highlighting one "important character" from the story, with Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen being the most popular choices. Martin did not want to change the story too much. Years later, when the HBO adaptation began, Jon Snow was one of the first characters cast. Kit Harington was announced as Jon Snow in July 2009. Alfie Allen and Iwan Rheon had also tried out for the role but were cast as Theon Greyjoy and Ramsay Snow instead. In October 2014, Harington and other main cast members, who had signed contracts for six seasons, re-negotiated their deals to include a seventh season and higher pay for seasons five, six, and seven. The Hollywood Reporter called the raises "huge," noting that the actors would become "among the highest-paid actors on cable TV." Deadline Hollywood reported that actors earned "close to $300,000 an episode" for season five, and The Hollywood Reporter wrote in 2016 that actors would be paid "upward of $500,000 per episode" for seasons seven and eight. In 2017, Harington became one of the highest-paid actors on television, possibly earning £1.2 million per episode.
When the series began, TV Guide described Harington as a "soulful heartthrob" whose character Jon Snow is admired by his younger siblings and seeks purpose by joining the Night's Watch. The show's creators, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, later explained that Jon tries to live with honor, even though this often leads to harm for his family. They said Jon, like other characters, must face difficult truths about the world and adapt without losing who he is. In 2013, Matt Fowler of IGN noted that Jon and Daenerys' storylines in seasons one and two seemed separate from the rest of the series, but in season three, Jon's story became more connected to the larger plot. Fowler also said Jon's "oath-breaking romance with Ygritte" added tension to the story. In May 2015, International Business Times called Jon "clearly the most popular character" in the series.
In 2015, Benioff said, "The problem with Jon is, he’s not a cautious man. It's the problem with him, and also the reason we love him. He is a hero, but heroes are inherently incautious." Weiss added, "At the end of the day, Jon is his father’s son, he’s a person who’s honorable to a fault and does the right thing even when the right thing is extremely dangerous to him personally." In the June 2015 season five finale "Mother's Mercy," Jon is stabbed to death by Alliser Thorne and others in the Night's Watch after being accused of treason. Since George R.R. Martin's 2011 book A Dance with Dragons was unclear about Jon's fate, Harington confirmed the character's death in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, saying, "I've been told I’m dead. I'm dead. I’m not coming back next season." He also praised the storyline involving the orphan boy Olly killing him. Benioff said of the episode:
Writing for The New York Times, Jeremy Egner called Jon's death "the biggest death on the show" since Ned Stark's beheading in season one. After fans reacted strongly to Jon's death on social media, journalists began guessing how the show might bring him back. In July 2015, a sighting of Harington in Belfast, a filming location for the series, led to more speculation about his return. However, a Vanity Fair article noted that actor Charles Dance had also been seen in Belfast after his character's death, and he only appeared as a corpse in the next season. A season six promotional poster released in November 2015 showed a bloodied Jon.
Jon is resurrected by Melisandre in "Home," the May 2016 second episode of season six. Though David Sims of The Atlantic called the resurrection "predictable," he praised it as "the right choice" for the show's story. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Harington said:
Joanna Robinson of Vanity Fair credited Jon's controversial death as a reason for the show's 25% increase in ratings for season six. Harington's performance in season six earned him his first Primetime Emmy Award nomination in July 2016. Harington's portrayal of Jon Snow had the most screen time of any character in the first seven seasons of the show.
Jon Snow, the illegitimate son of Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell, and Warden of the North, decides to join the Night's Watch. He arrives at Castle Black with his direwolf, Ghost, and finds the once-proud order weakened. Raised to be a skilled fighter with a strong sense of justice and honor, Jon is initially unkind to his fellow recruits, many of whom are criminals or exiles. Tyrion Lannister convinces Jon to help train the recruits. Jon befriends Samwell Tarly, a nervous, intellectual recruit. Jon takes his vows but is disappointed when he is made steward to Lord Commander Jeor Mormont instead of a ranger. Sam suggests Jon may be being prepared for future leadership. Jon saves Mormont from a wight and is given the House Mormont sword Longclaw, made of Valyrian steel with a wolf's head pommel. Jon learns of his father's execution for treason and is tempted to leave the Wall to join Robb Stark's army but stays.
Jon accompanies the Night's Watch on the Great Ranging beyond the Wall. When the group seeks shelter with Craster, an old man who marries his daughters, Jon is horrified to learn Craster sacrifices his sons to the White Walkers. Later, as part of a scouting party led by Qhorin Halfhand, Jon is ordered to kill a wildling prisoner, Ygritte, but cannot do it. She escapes and captures him. Qhorin, also taken prisoner, tells Jon to pretend to defect to the wildlings to learn their plans. Qhorin stages a fight and secretly tells Jon to kill him to gain the wildlings' trust. Jon does so and is taken to meet Mance Rayder, the wildlings' leader.
Jon pledges loyalty to Mance and learns the wildlings plan to attack the Wall to escape the White Walkers. Jon tries to convince Mance not to attack, falsely claiming there are over 1,000 Watchmen at Castle Black. Ygritte seduces Jon and they fall in love. After scaling the Wall, Jon refuses to kill an innocent man to prove his loyalty. He is attacked by the wildlings but escapes to Castle Black, despite being wounded by Ygritte.
Jon