Jon Snow
The identity of Jon Snow's (Kit Harington, pictured) mother was guessed by the TV show producers before George R.R. Martin allowed them to use his work to make the series "Game of Thrones." HBO

After Jon Snow’s resurrection at the beginning of Game of Thrones Season 6, the former Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch (death having released him from his pledge) rampaged across the north of Westeros, culminating in the defeat of Ramsay Bolton and the retaking of Winterfell. At the end of Game of Thrones Season 7, the ancestral home of the Starks belongs to the Starks once more, and the lords of the northern houses have declared Jon Snow King in the North. It sure looks like Jon Snow was brought back to life for a reason. But a big part of Game of Thrones’ narrative power has been its willingness to undercut our expectations. Perhaps the fate awaiting Jon Snow is just another humiliating death?

Now, thanks to a new interview with Jon Snow actor Kit Harington, we know that — whether or not Snow ends up on the Iron Throne — he’ll definitely survive until Game of Thrones’ final season.

Speaking with Moviefone (via Watchers on the Wall), Harington described the excitement of Game of Thrones having moved beyond the plot of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire book series, on which the HBO fantasy epic is based. “It’s just amazing, in some ways, having no books to go on, because the scripts come through and you’re completely in the dark about what they’re going to do,” Harington said. While Game of Thrones barrels toward its conclusion, there are still two more novels planned for ASOIAF, with the next entry, The Winds of Winter, expected out this year.

In his excitement, Harington all but admitted that Jon Snow will be back for Season 8. I just finished Season 7, and I am already counting down the days until I get the Season 8 scripts,” Harington said. “Next season will be next season, he might go through a big change, I don’t know. He’s dear to me. I’ve lived with him for so long.”

As far as spoilers go, this one probably isn’t blowing any minds. Jon Snow’s Targaryen blood and existential battle against the White Walkers and their Night’s King makes him an integral part of the Game of Thrones climax. If Jon Snow is to die, he’ll likely die averting the total destruction of Westeros or something equally brave. It was always unlikely the resurrected Snow would get gutted before the final season. But at least now we can rest easy on this count — Game of Thrones Season 7 isn’t about to bust out a surprise Jon Snow murder.

RELATED STORIES
HBO