In a hilarious and heartfelt new Variety Actors on Actors conversation with Peter Dinklage, Kit Harington looked back on his very first day filming Game of Thrones. He revealed just how nervous and inexperienced he was at that time.
Quick read:
- Kit Harington looks back on his first day on the GOT set
- He revealed it was his first time acting in front of the camera
- His first scene was with Peter Dinklage
Image: HBO
Harington’s very first scene on camera was opposite Dinklage in Season 1. Reflecting on that moment, he admitted:
“I remember thinking, ‘I’ve just gotta be really still.’ Like, that’s acting for cameras — to be as still as I possibly can. Say my lines… then go back. Still. Not stiff.”
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He explained that he was so focused on not moving that he ended up looking frozen compared to the more experienced Dinklage.
Harington continued with a laugh:
“And then I watched that… It was very cold, so it’s hard. In my head I’m like, ‘Why is this guy moving so much?’”
Peter Dinklage playfully roasted him in response:
“Me? Overacting. Bad acting. Being a ham.”
Dinklage then joked that Jon Snow is naturally a “frozen character,” while Tyrion gets to be more expressive and fun. The two actors shared a good laugh over the memory, showing the warm friendship that still exists between them years after the show ended.
A rookie in Westeros
At the time, Harington was fresh out of drama school and had almost no on-camera experience. That first scene with Dinklage was literally his introduction to acting in front of a lens. His “stay completely still” strategy was a classic beginner mistake that many new actors make before learning how to perform naturally for the camera.
Looking back, Harington finds the moment funny and endearing; a reminder of how far he came from a nervous newcomer to one of the most iconic characters in television history. This light-hearted exchange gave a little nostalgia to the fans.
