Kit Harington as Jon Snow – Photo: Helen Sloan/HBO
It appears the burden of dealing with the pressure of ‘Game of Thrones’ ending was too much for Kit Harrington. Page Six reports that Harington has been staying at luxury Connecticut rehab and health retreat Privé-Swiss for almost a month, since before the show’s finale on May 19. Stress and alcohol are said to be the reasons for his seeking help and it appears the end of the show “really hit him hard,” according to a source. The facility reportedly costs over $120,000 a month.
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Harington is said to be “undergoing psychological coaching, practicing mindful meditation and cognitive behavioral therapy to combat stress and deal with negative emotions.” Reportedly, his wife Rose Leslie, 32, who starred opposite Harington as Ygritte on ‘GoT’, is said to be “extremely supportive.”
In the behind-the-scenes documentary ‘The Last Watch’, released to coincide with the end of ‘GoT’, Harington is shown to be visibly distressed upon reading the show’s final script, in which his character kills his one-time lover Daenerys. He is also shown getting choked up during a table read with the rest of the cast.
He admitted on ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’:
“I was very shocked and surprised at certain events, and then I blubbed my eyes out. I cried.”
He also admitted to Esquire, that he had a “full-on breakdown” after filming his last scene:
“My final day of shooting, I felt fine … I felt fine … I felt fine … then I went to do my last shots and started hyperventilating a bit …Then they called ‘wrap’ and I just f—-g broke down. It was this onslaught of relief and grief about not being able to do this again. But the weirdest bit was when we came off set and they started taking the costume off and it felt like being skinned … It felt like they were unceremoniously for the last time ripping off this character.”
Page Six spoke to a “friend” of Harington’s who reported:
“He realized ‘this is it — this is the end’, it was something they had all worked so hard on for so many years. He had a moment of, what next? He’s in the clinic predominantly for stress and exhaustion and also alcohol. His wife Rose is being extremely supportive. Everyone close to him really wanted him to get some rest. Right now, he just needs peace and quiet.”
A rep for Harington stated:
“Kit has decided to utilize this break in his schedule as an opportunity to spend some time at a wellness retreat to work on some personal issues.”
Harington is allowed outside of the facility for short trips. A resident of nearby Madison, Conn said:
“Kit looks really good and appears to be very focused on his health and wellness. I have personally seen him out in the community many times. I think it’s wonderful that he is taking time to take care of himself – more people should.”
Harington had previously expressed discomfort at his sudden fame and the importance placed on his character on ‘GoT’. At least it sounds as though he is just stressed out and self-medicating a bit too much. But unlike other troubled performers at least it doesn’t appear that he is abusing any hard drugs or doing anything more self-destructive.
Harington is still a young man and could take his talents anywhere, but following up a phenomenon like ‘GoT’ isn’t going to be easy for anyone involved. Best of luck goes out to Harington and his wife.
