Game of Thrones legend Kit Harington will reportedly perform naked for a new controversial West End production.
The actor, 37, who played Jon Snow in the HBO drama, has been cast in the London transfer of the Broadway show Slave Play, which sparked widespread backlash when it was first staged.
Telling the story of ‘race, identity and sexuality’ at a plantation, there was a petition to cancel the US show, which sees interracial couples roleplay master and slave fantasies to ‘revive’ their relationships.
Now, though, the play, written by American actor and playwright Jeremy O Harris, will be coming to the Noel Coward Theatre from 29 June to 21 September, and will reportedly see Kit strip naked.
An insider told The Sun that the UK production of Slave Play will include sex toys and kinky practices, while ‘the full-frontal element comes from Kit’s character Jim.’
Slave Play was branded as ‘disturbing’ and ‘offensive’ by US critics for being set at an ‘antebellum sexual performance therapy.’
But despite the criticism, the play was nominated for 12 Tony Awards, although it didn’t win any.
The UK production will also have two performances aimed at an ‘all-Black-identifying audience’ that is ‘free from the white gaze.’
The two Black Out nights will be staged on July 17 and September 17.
Slave Play also has Banana star Fisayo Akinade and Denzel Washington’s daughter Olivia Washington in the ensemble.
Kit previously admitted he didn’t feel comfortable with his sex symbol status and has to work ‘very hard’ to prove he’s not just a pretty face.
The Eternals actor– who married actress and co-star Rose Leslie in 2018 – told Candis magazine: ‘I never got into acting to be a sex symbol or a heart-throb.
‘I got into acting because I love playing characters and not being myself. But yeah, it goes with the territory because I am a young male leading actor and with that goes an aspect of work that I guess I am … not actually very comfortable with sometimes.’
The Pompeii actor thinks he has had to ‘work very hard’ to prove he’s more than just his good looks.
‘I think it was Leonardo DiCaprio who always said how p***ed off he was to be put into that box because it means you have to work extra hard to get out of it,’ he explained.
‘I’m not saying, “Woe is me” because it gets me working. But you do have to work very hard not to get boxed into that.’
Metro.co.uk has contacted Kit’s rep for comment.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Emmerdale star’s new role revealed alongside Game of Thrones icon
MORE : Game of Thrones star unrecognisable in striking look for TV series on Coco Chanel’s Nazi ties
MORE : Bake Off’s Paul Hollywood and Game Of Thrones icon named on star-studded New Year Honours list
