Game of Thrones has been good to Jon Snow actor, Kit Harington since he first appeared back in 2011. His role catapulted his name into the league of prominent actors and he has landed some major roles. The newest to come to fruition is the BBC’s new three-part historical drama, Gunpowder.

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Back in October last year Harington was rumoured to be part of the Guy Fawkes inspired story but it’s taken until now for that confirmation to come through with filming due to start this month (February). Harington will not only be appearing in front of camera but also serving as executive producer. However, his vested interest in this production doesn’t stop there, with Kudos producing in association with his own Thriker Films.

Kit Harington

Gunpowder will tell the historical story of the 1605 Gunpowder Plot: the attempt by a group of provincial English Catholics to blow up the House of Lords and kill King James I in order to help restore a Catholic to the throne. The plot was foiled on November 5 that year when authorities at Westminster Palace found Fawkes guarding the explosives.

Harington will play Robert Catesby, a man who Harington previously claimed to be a direct descendant of. Catesby was, in fact, the 30-year old man responsible for the Gunpowder plot and not Guy Fawkes which people wrongly believe. Other cast members confirmed to appear alongside Harington are Liv Tyler (The Lord of the Rings), who will play his cousin Anne Vaux, Peter Mullan (Tyrannosaur) the sympathetic Jesuit Priest Garnet, and Mark Gatiss (Taboo and Sherlock) as deviant yet trusted servant to James I, Robert Cecil.  Many historians believe through sufficient evidence that it was indeed Cecil who orchestrated the whole plot, but we are assuming that’s a completely different story to the one which will unfold in Gunpowder.

Gunpowder will be directed by J Blakeson. Executive producers are Ollie Madden for Kudos and Stephen Wright for the BBC.