Kit Harington’s wife is Rose Leslie, the Scottish actress who played Ygritte in Game of Thrones. The actors met while working on the series, became a couple in real life, announced their engagement in September 2017 and married on June 23, 2018, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. They have two children together and continue to keep much of their family life private.
When readers search for Kit Harington’s wife, they are looking for Rose Leslie, the Scottish actress who became known internationally for playing Ygritte in HBO’s Game of Thrones. Her on-screen romance with Harington’s character, Jon Snow, became one of the series’ memorable storylines. Away from the cameras, the actors developed a real relationship that led to marriage and a family.
Harington and Leslie met while filming the second season of Game of Thrones in 2011. Their relationship became public a year later, although they kept many details private. They announced their engagement in September 2017 and married on June 23, 2018, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
The couple now have two children. They have chosen not to make their children’s names or everyday lives a regular subject of public discussion. In a January 30, 2026 interview with MR PORTER, Harington confirmed that he lives with his wife and their two children in Suffolk, England. He also spoke about the care and affection that support their marriage. MR PORTER+1
Their story continues to interest Game of Thrones fans because the relationship began on the set of the programme, where they played fictional lovers before becoming partners in real life.
Who Is Kit Harington’s Wife?
Rose Leslie is a Scottish actress best known for playing Ygritte in Game of Thrones and Gwen Dawson in Downton Abbey. She married Kit Harington in June 2018.
Rose Eleanor Arbuthnot-Leslie was born on February 9, 1987, in Aberdeen, Scotland. She grew up in Scotland and developed an interest in acting before training at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA).
Leslie first gained significant attention for her role as Gwen Dawson in the historical drama Downton Abbey. She later reached a much larger international audience through Game of Thrones, where she played Ygritte, a free-spirited Wildling who becomes romantically involved with Jon Snow.
Her acting work extends beyond those two series. She has appeared in television productions including The Good Fight and Vigil, as well as films such as The Last Witch Hunter and Death on the Nile.
Although she is widely recognised as Kit Harington’s wife, Leslie has an established acting career of her own. She has continued to take on screen roles while maintaining a relatively private family life.
Who Is Kit Harington?
Kit Harington is an English actor best known for playing Jon Snow in HBO’s fantasy drama Game of Thrones. His other work includes Gunpowder, Eternals and the television series Industry.
Kit Harington was born Christopher Catesby Harington on December 26, 1986, in Acton, London, England. He studied acting at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama before beginning his professional career.
His breakthrough came in 2011 when he was cast as Jon Snow in Game of Thrones. The character became central to the story and helped make Harington an internationally recognised actor.
After the series ended in 2019, he continued working in film, television and theatre. His projects include the BBC drama Gunpowder, the Marvel film Eternals and the HBO series Industry.
Harington’s career has developed beyond the fantasy role that first made him famous. However, his connection to Game of Thrones remains closely linked to his personal story because he met his future wife while working on the programme.
How Did Kit Harington and Rose Leslie Meet?
Kit Harington and Rose Leslie met while filming the second season of Game of Thrones in 2011.
Harington played Jon Snow, a young man who joins the Night’s Watch and travels beyond the Wall. Leslie joined the series as Ygritte, a Wildling who encounters Jon during his journey.
Their characters develop a romantic relationship in the show. The storyline became particularly memorable because of the chemistry between the two actors and the challenges their characters faced.
The actors’ connection also developed away from the cameras. Harington later spoke about falling in love with Leslie while filming in Iceland. In a 2016 interview, he described the landscape, the Northern Lights and the experience of working together as part of what made that period so memorable.
He explained that being attracted to someone who was also playing his character’s love interest made it easier for feelings to develop.
The real-life relationship was not immediately confirmed. The pair were first publicly linked in 2012, and they continued to keep their romance relatively private in the years that followed. ELLE+1
When Did Kit Harington and Rose Leslie Start Dating?
Harington and Leslie were first publicly linked in 2012, after photographs of them together in London attracted attention.
The couple did not immediately discuss their relationship in detail. In interviews, Harington often avoided confirming private matters, explaining that he preferred to keep his personal life away from media attention.
Reports later indicated that they briefly separated in 2013 before reconciling in 2014. They gradually became more comfortable appearing together in public.
In April 2016, they made their first official red-carpet appearance as a couple at the Olivier Awards in London. Their appearance gave fans a clearer indication that their relationship was serious.
By 2017, they were living together and preparing for marriage. Harington spoke about moving in with Leslie during an appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden, describing her as his best friend.
Their relationship had developed over several years, from co-stars to a couple and eventually to a married partnership.
Kit Harington and Rose Leslie’s Engagement
Kit Harington and Rose Leslie announced their engagement in September 2017 through a notice in the Times newspaper in the United Kingdom.
The announcement used their full formal names and identified their families. It was a traditional way to announce an engagement, rather than a dramatic social-media reveal.
Harington later shared a humorous account of the proposal on The Jonathan Ross Show. He said he had planned to create a romantic setting with lights in the trees, but ended up proposing earlier than intended while the couple were in the countryside, beneath the night sky, with a log fire and wine.
His story became popular because it showed a more spontaneous side to the proposal. The couple had apparently planned a particular moment, but the romantic setting prompted Harington to ask the question sooner.
Leslie accepted, and they began planning their wedding for the following year. ELLE+2
When Did Kit Harington Marry Rose Leslie?
Kit Harington and Rose Leslie married on June 23, 2018, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Their wedding brought together family, friends and several of their Game of Thrones co-stars.
The ceremony took place at Kirkton of Rayne Church, near the Leslie family’s home. The reception was held at Wardhill Castle, a historic property owned by Leslie’s family.
The wedding attracted international media attention because of the couple’s popularity and the presence of actors from the hit HBO series. Guests included Sophie Turner, Maisie Williams, Peter Dinklage, Emilia Clarke and John Bradley.
Leslie wore an ivory wedding gown with a veil, while Harington wore formal morning dress. Photographs showed the newlyweds leaving the church as guests celebrated with flower petals.
The wedding was a significant moment for fans who had followed the actors’ on-screen romance. The fictional relationship between Jon Snow and Ygritte had ended tragically in Game of Thrones, but the actors’ real-life story had a happier outcome.
Contemporary reporting by CBS News and the Associated Press confirmed the church ceremony and reception at the family castle. CBS News+1
Do Kit Harington and Rose Leslie Have Children?
Yes. Kit Harington and Rose Leslie have two children, a son and a daughter. They have deliberately kept their children’s names and personal details largely out of public view.
Leslie announced her first pregnancy in September 2020 through a magazine photoshoot. The couple welcomed their son in February 2021. Harington later spoke about the changes fatherhood brought to his life, including the new responsibilities and the way becoming a parent changed his perspective.
In February 2023, Harington confirmed that he and Leslie were expecting their second child during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Their daughter was born in July 2023, according to subsequent entertainment reporting.
The couple have not made their children’s identities a regular subject of interviews. They have occasionally discussed parenting, but they generally avoid sharing information that would make their children the focus of public attention.
Why Are Their Children’s Names Kept Private?
Harington and Leslie have not offered a detailed public explanation for every aspect of their privacy choices. However, their approach is consistent: they share major family milestones while keeping the children’s everyday lives away from media attention.
In a January 2026 interview with MR PORTER, Harington spoke about taking his two children to school in the Suffolk village where the family lives. This provided a recent, direct confirmation that they are raising two children together. MR PORTER+1
Where Do Kit Harington and Rose Leslie Live?
Harington and Leslie have been associated with a home in Suffolk, England. In the January 2026 MR PORTER profile, Harington was described as living with his wife and their two children in a Suffolk village.
Earlier interviews also discussed the couple’s countryside home and their appreciation for a quieter environment away from the demands of acting and public appearances.
Leslie spoke about the appeal of living in the countryside during her 2020 pregnancy announcement. She described enjoying the greenery, birdsong and peaceful surroundings.
The couple have not made their precise residential address public, and there is no reason to speculate about it. The broad, publicly reported detail is that they have built family life in the English countryside.
What Has Kit Harington Said About His Marriage?
Harington has occasionally spoken about his relationship with Leslie, though he generally avoids giving extensive details about their private life.
One of his most memorable comments came backstage at the 2018 Emmy Awards. After Game of Thrones won Outstanding Drama Series, he reflected on the show’s impact on his personal life. He said meeting his wife through the series had given him his future family and changed his life.
In a January 30, 2026 interview with MR PORTER, Harington spoke warmly about the relationship. He described himself and Leslie as caring and affectionate toward each other, adding that they make a point of expressing their love.
The interview also offered a glimpse of ordinary family life. Harington discussed dropping the children off at school before travelling to London for the interview and photoshoot.
These comments suggest that he values the everyday aspects of marriage and parenting, not just the public milestones. They are direct comments from Harington, rather than assumptions about how the couple manage their relationship. MR PORTER+1
What Has Rose Leslie Said About Their Relationship?
Leslie has also spoken about her relationship with Harington, although she tends to keep her comments measured.
In earlier interviews, she discussed the positive experience of working with him on Game of Thrones. She noted that knowing and getting along with a co-star in real life helped create a believable connection between their characters.
Their relationship also developed during a demanding period in both careers. Game of Thrones was filmed across different locations and involved a large international cast. The actors’ shared experience of working on the series gave them a common background.
Leslie has also discussed the value of their home and family life, particularly the quieter pace of the countryside. Her comments about pregnancy and their home suggested that she appreciated having a peaceful environment outside the entertainment industry.
Did Kit Harington and Rose Leslie Play a Couple in Game of Thrones?
Yes. Harington and Leslie played Jon Snow and Ygritte, two characters whose relationship became one of the most memorable romantic storylines in Game of Thrones.
Jon meets Ygritte after travelling beyond the Wall. She is a member of the Free Folk, a group living outside the political control of the Seven Kingdoms. Their relationship develops despite their different loyalties and backgrounds.
Ygritte challenges Jon’s beliefs and introduces him to a different way of life. Their romance becomes complicated by the conflict between the Night’s Watch and the Free Folk.
The storyline is especially remembered for Ygritte’s repeated teasing of Jon with the phrase, “You know nothing, Jon Snow.” It became one of the series’ most recognisable lines.
Their fictional relationship ended tragically during the Battle of Castle Black. In real life, however, the actors’ relationship continued after filming and eventually led to marriage.
That contrast is one reason their story remains so popular with fans: the actors who played doomed lovers on screen built a lasting relationship away from the cameras.
What Other Shows and Films Has Rose Leslie Appeared In?
Although Game of Thrones brought Leslie worldwide recognition, she had already appeared in other television productions and continued working after the series.
Some of her notable projects include:
- Downton Abbey: Leslie played Gwen Dawson, a housemaid who hopes to build a career beyond domestic service.
- Game of Thrones: She played Ygritte, the Wildling archer and Jon Snow’s love interest.
- The Good Fight: She appeared as Maia Rindell in the legal drama.
- Vigil: She starred in the British crime thriller series.
- The Last Witch Hunter: She appeared in the fantasy action film alongside Vin Diesel.
- Death on the Nile: She appeared in the 2022 mystery film based on Agatha Christie’s novel.
Her career has included period drama, fantasy, crime and contemporary television. This range shows that her work is not limited to the role that first made her famous internationally.
What Has Kit Harington Done Since Game of Thrones?
Harington continued acting after Game of Thrones concluded in 2019. Although Jon Snow remains his best-known character, he has taken on a variety of roles in film, television and theatre.
His post-Thrones work includes:
- Gunpowder: A historical drama in which he played Robert Catesby.
- Eternals: A Marvel Studios film in which he portrayed Dane Whitman.
- Modern Love: An anthology series featuring different stories about relationships.
- Industry: The HBO financial drama in which he joined the cast as Henry Muck in its third season.
His role in Industry gave audiences an opportunity to see him in a contemporary drama, far removed from the fantasy setting of Game of Thrones.
In 2026, Harington continued to discuss his work and family life in interviews. The January MR PORTER profile offered a particularly recent look at his life as an actor and father.
Why Kit Harington and Rose Leslie’s Love Story Continues to Interest Fans
Their relationship is unusual in the way it connects a popular television storyline with a real-life marriage.
Several factors explain why audiences continue to search for information about the couple:
- Their relationship began on a famous television set. They met while working on one of the most successful fantasy series of its era.
- They played romantic partners on screen. Jon Snow and Ygritte became a memorable couple, making the actors’ real relationship especially interesting to viewers.
- They married in Scotland. Their 2018 wedding included several Game of Thrones cast members and took place at Leslie’s family church and castle.
- They maintain a private family life. Despite their fame, they rarely share personal details about their children.
- They continue to work in entertainment. Both actors have developed careers beyond their original Game of Thrones roles.
Their story also demonstrates that a relationship can develop beyond the circumstances in which two people first meet. The show brought them together professionally, but their marriage and family life have continued independently of the series.
What Happens Next for Kit Harington and Rose Leslie?
As of November 1, 2026, there is no confirmed announcement of a major change in Harington and Leslie’s marriage or family circumstances.
Harington continues to pursue acting projects, including television and film work, while Leslie maintains her own acting career. Their January 2026 interview coverage confirmed that they are raising two children together in Suffolk.
Neither has publicly announced plans for another child or a new family-related project. They also have not announced a major change to their relationship.
For now, the most reliable information is that Kit Harington and Rose Leslie remain married, have two children and continue to keep much of their home life private.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Kit Harington’s wife?
Kit Harington’s wife is Rose Leslie, a Scottish actress best known for playing Ygritte in Game of Thrones and Gwen Dawson in Downton Abbey.
2. When did Kit Harington and Rose Leslie get married?
They married on June 23, 2018, at Kirkton of Rayne Church in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Their wedding reception took place at Wardhill Castle, which belongs to Leslie’s family.
3. How did Kit Harington meet Rose Leslie?
They met while filming the second season of Game of Thrones in 2011. Harington played Jon Snow, while Leslie played Ygritte. Their on-screen romance developed into a real-life relationship.
4. Do Kit Harington and Rose Leslie have children?
Yes. They have two children together: a son born in February 2021 and a daughter born in July 2023. They have kept their children’s names and personal details private.
5. Where do Kit Harington and Rose Leslie live?
They have been reported to live in Suffolk, England, with their two children. Harington discussed their family home and school routine in a January 2026 interview with MR PORTER.
6. Are Kit Harington and Rose Leslie still married in 2026?
Yes. They are publicly reported as still married as of November 2026. Harington spoke positively about their relationship in a January 2026 interview.
7. What characters did Kit Harington and Rose Leslie play in Game of Thrones?
Harington played Jon Snow, while Leslie played Ygritte. Their characters had a romantic relationship in the series, which became one of its best-known storylines.
8. What is Rose Leslie famous for besides Game of Thrones?
Rose Leslie is also known for playing Gwen Dawson in Downton Abbey and Maia Rindell in The Good Fight. She has appeared in other television series and films, including Vigil and Death on the Nile.
9. When did Kit Harington and Rose Leslie announce their engagement?
They announced their engagement in September 2017 through a notice published in The Times newspaper in the United Kingdom.
