Emilia Clarke Reveals the Hilarious Truth Behind Kissing Kit Harington on Game of Thrones

A Friendship Turned On-Screen Romance

For nearly a decade, Emilia Clarke and Kit Harington shared the screen as two of Game of Thrones’ most pivotal characters — Daenerys Targaryen and Jon Snow. Their storyline took a romantic turn in the show’s later seasons, culminating in intimate moments like the much-discussed waterfall kiss in Season 8. But behind the camera, Clarke says the romance came with an unexpected twist: it was downright awkward.

Speaking to FandomWire in October 2024, Clarke confessed that kissing Harington — someone she’d known and worked closely with since 2011 — felt “a little weird.” Their off-screen relationship had grown into something sibling-like long before their characters fell for each other, making the sudden pivot to on-screen passion an unusual challenge.

Laughing Through the Awkwardness

Clarke didn’t shy away from admitting that she giggled her way through those early romantic scenes. “It was just so unnatural,” she said, explaining how years of friendship made it feel almost comedic. Thankfully, Harington met the moment with humor of his own — sometimes pretending to gag or act sick after a kiss, a gag that Clarke found “quite funny” and oddly comforting.

This playful energy mirrored Harington’s own remarks from a 2019 Variety interview, where he called the love scenes “really odd” given their history. Both actors leaned into their comedic instincts to defuse any tension, transforming what could have been a stressful experience into one filled with laughter.

Behind-the-Scenes Banter

Fans got a glimpse of this dynamic in 2019 HBO behind-the-scenes documentaries, where Harington’s exaggerated gagging after a kiss sent Clarke into hysterics. Outlets like Elle and Glamour highlighted these moments as evidence of the duo’s natural rapport and their ability to keep things light, even in the most intimate on-set situations.

Clarke also admitted in past interviews that certain sex scenes bordered on “very awkward,” but the trust between them allowed both to focus on delivering believable performances without losing their sense of humor.

From Awkwardness to On-Screen Chemistry

Despite the laughs, Clarke and Harington’s professionalism ensured that the romantic tension between Jon and Daenerys resonated with audiences. Their real-life bond gave the relationship authenticity, even if it required a mental leap for both actors to switch from friends to lovers.

Clarke’s candidness recalls other famous acting pairs who’ve navigated similar challenges — such as Harry Potter’s Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, who described kissing each other as “horrifying” due to their sibling-like closeness. Clarke’s approach, however, stands out for her ability to channel that awkwardness into humor, turning it into an asset rather than a distraction.

A Friendship That Endures

As Game of Thrones anniversaries and cast reunions continue to spark nostalgia, Clarke’s reflections add a human — and hilarious — layer to the show’s legacy. Far from diminishing the romance between Jon Snow and Daenerys, her behind-the-scenes anecdotes enrich the story of how two friends navigated an unlikely romantic arc with wit, warmth, and unwavering camaraderie.

In the end, their shared laughter might be the real reason that, for all the awkwardness, their on-screen chemistry felt so real.

If you want, I can also prepare a “Top 5 Funniest Behind-the-Scenes Moments from Game of Thrones” companion piece that would pair perfectly with this article.