This 'Game of Thrones' actor was virtually unknown before becoming Jon Snow

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Fan theories surrounding the death of “Game of Thrones” character Jon Snow are piling as high as the Wall.

Despite a juicy new trailer that hints at Snow’s return, we’ll have to wait until the show’s season six premiere on April 24 to know his true fate.

In the meantime, take a look at how actor Kit Harington came to land the role of a lifetime — and what he thinks of Jon Snow.

On 'Game of Thrones,' Kit Harington plays the bastard son of a lord. Turns out, the London-born actor is blue-blooded in real life.

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He's a direct descendant of King Charles II, and his grandfather was a baronet. Still, Harington insists he didn't grow up 'posh.'

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Before graduating from London's Central School of Speech and Drama, he scored the lead in the original stage run of 'War Horse.'

YouTube/warhorseonstage

Watch a clip from his performance in 'War Horse' »

Critics adored his performance as a country boy looking out for his beloved horse. It caught the attention of 'Game of Thrones' creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss.

YouTube/warhorseonstage

Source: British Theatre Guide and Rolling Stone

Harington showed up to his first audition with a black eye. 'I'd been in a scrap,' he says. 'But I think it might have helped.'

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Source: Rolling Stone

Weiss later told a reporter he thought, 'This is what Jon Snow looks like.' He turned to Benioff and said, 'Please let this kid be good.'

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Source: Rolling Stone

Being cast came with a condition -- his hair had to be a certain length at all times. The creators also asked him to grow out a beard.

Helen Sloan / HBO

Source: GQ

He and John Bradly, who plays his mate Sam, are friends in real life. They read scenes together in the bar the night before shooting.

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Source: TV Insider

And while he's been tied romantically to costars Emilia Clarke and Rose Leslie, Harington says the rumours are untrue.

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While Harington worries about being pigeonholed into his most famous role, he appreciates playing a character he can relate to. 'Snow's a black sheep,' he says.

Helen Sloan/courtesy of HBO

Source: Rolling Stone

'If you do two or three roles that are remembered, then you are very, very, lucky,' he says. 'I'm so fortunate that I have Jon Snow so early in my career.'

HBO

Source: Rolling Stone

'Game of Thrones' returns to HBO on April 24.

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