Jon Snow is a fictional character in the A Song of Ice and Fire series of fantasy novels by American author George R. R. Martin, and its television adaptation Game of Thrones, in which he was portrayed by English actor Kit Harington.
In the novels, he is a prominent point of view character and is considered one of the most popular characters in the series. The New York Times cites him as one of the author’s finest creations. Jon is a main character in the TV series, and his storyline in the season 5 finale generated a strong reaction among viewers. Speculation about the character’s parentage has also been a popular topic of discussion among fans of both the books and the TV series.
Jon is introduced in 1996’s A Game of Thrones as the illegitimate son of Ned Stark, Lord of Winterfell in the North of Westeros. Knowing his prospects are limited by his status as a bastard, Jon joins the Night’s Watch, who guard the far northern borders from the wildlings living beyond The Wall. In A Clash of Kings (1998), Jon joins a scouting party investigating the growing threat from the otherworldly “Others” beyond the Wall and infiltrates the wildlings. Jon learns of their plans to invade Westeros in A Storm of Swords (2000), and falls in love with the wildling woman Ygritte. Jon betrays the wildlings and Ygritte, returns to defend the Night’s Watch against the wildlings’ invasion, and is elected Lord Commander of the Watch. He appears briefly in A Feast for Crows (2005) and returns as a prominent character in A Dance with Dragons (2011), in which he works to negotiate an alliance between the Night’s Watch and the wildlings against the Others; his policies are met with hostility by some among the Watch, and he is assassinated in a mutiny at the novel’s end.
In the TV adaptation, Jon Snow’s journey closely follows the events of the books, with significant expansions and changes. His parentage, revealed in the show, sparked widespread discussion and was a crucial plot point. Jon is ultimately revealed to be the son of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen, making him a legitimate heir to the Iron Throne. His resurrection by Melisandre after his assassination was a pivotal moment in the series, leading him to play a crucial role in the battle against the Night King and the White Walkers. Jon’s relationships, leadership, and moral dilemmas made him one of the most compelling and beloved characters in the Game of Thrones universe.
