Kit Harington has claimed that sexual harrassment is ‘everywhere’ in the showbiz industry and that ‘most actors’ are aware of certain predators.
The Game Of Thrones actor said the assault of female actresses has been going on ‘forever’ – something he finds ‘upsetting and disturbing’.
The 31-year-old added that he sadly wasn’t shocked by allegations against stars like Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey because people in the industry ‘hear stories’.
Widespread: Kit Harington has claimed that sexual harrassment is ‘everywhere’ in the showbiz industry and that ‘most actors’ are aware of certain predators
‘Within British theatre, there’s been a problem for many years. This is something that has been going on forever, and not just in the States. It’s everywhere,’ he told the Sydney Morning Herald.
‘It’s upsetting and disturbing, but it’s not shocking. I think most actors hear stories, and people in the industry hear stories.’
He continued: ‘It’s just very hard for people to come out and talk about it. But the doors have been blown open a bit, and we can only be thankful for that.’
It comes after more than 80 women, including actresses Angelina Jolie and Salma Hayek, have accused Weinstein of offences ranging from harassment to rape.
Awful: The Game Of Thrones actor said the assault of female actresses has been going on ‘forever’ – something he finds ‘upsetting and disturbing’
Weinstein is the target of federal and state criminal investigations in at least four different jurisdictions, including New York, Los Angeles, and London, which have requested documentation relating to their cases, according to the filing.
He is also the subject of at least 11 civil suits, including one brought by British aspiring actress Kadian Noble. Weinstein denies all claims of non-consensual sex.
Weinstein has apologised for his past behaviour but denied all allegations of non-consensual sex.
Allegations: Disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein (L) and House Of Cards actor Kevin Spacey have been accused of sexual assault
As Harvey’s downfall spread throughout Hollywood, Kevin Spacey was one of the first to face public allegations when actor Anthony Rapp spoke out.
Rapp claimed he was 14 when a 26-year-old Spacey made a sexual advance to him in 1986.
Spacey said he did not remember the encounter but apologised for any ‘inappropriate drunken behaviour’. Rapp’s allegation was a watershed moment.
London’s Old Vic theatre, where Spacey was artistic director from 2004 to 2015, found 20 people said they had been subjected to inappropriate behaviour from Spacey.
The wave of allegations have spawned the Me Too and Time’s Up movements, which aim to end the cycle of misogyny, abuse and harrasment.
Speaking out: Harvey was fired by his own company after dozens of women including actresses Angelina Jolie and Salma Hayek accused him of sexual offences