‘Game of Thrones’ Star Kit Harington’s New Series Will Air on HBO
Game of Thrones may not return until at least 2019, but HBO viewers will have their fix of Kit Harington before the year is out. The erstwhile Jon Snow’s new BBC Gunpowder series will get a limited run on HBO, including fellow Thrones stars and Leftovers alum.
The three-part miniseries was developed for BBC One, but HBO now confirms it will air all three installments beginning Monday, December 18 at 10:00 P.M., with subsequent episodes debuting Tuesday and Wednesday at the same time. The series will also be available on HBO On Demand, HBO NOW, HBO GO and affiliate portals, while Harington said of his network loyalty:
Three years ago, Daniel West and I conceived and began developing GUNPOWDER with Kudos and Ronan Bennett. We are now thrilled to share this unique story with the U.S. audience. I can’t think of a better place to do that than my home at HBO.
Gunpowder sees Harington as Robert Catesby, mastermind and committed Warwickshire Catholic at a time when Protestant England persecuted the church’s members relentlessly (Catesby is also Harington’s actual ancestor). Fellow Thrones star Mark Gatiss plays King James’ spymaster Robert Cecil, while The Leftovers star Liv Tyler plays “concerned Catesby cousin Anne Vaux.” Here’s the synopsis:
Set in 1605, the historical drama is based around British radical Fawkes and a group of provincial English Catholics who attempted to blow up the House of Lords in UK Parliament and kill King James I in order to help restore a Catholic to the crown. The attempted plot, or Gunpowder Plot as its known, was foiled on November 5 when authorities at Westminster Palace found Fawkes guarding the explosives. To this day, Brits celebrate Guy Fawkes Night every year on November 5 with a fireworks display and by burning his effigy on a bonfire.
The series was developed by Ronan Bennett, Harington and Daniel West, with Bennett writing and J. Blakeson directing. Harington may be absent from HBO in 2018, so check out the trailer below and enjoy what we can, lords and ladies.
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