HBO sets release date for Kit Harington miniseries “Gunpowder”

Kit Harrington will star in another HBO project, a new miniseries titled Gunpowder. He also serves as the series co-executive producer.

The Game of Thrones actor will costar with Peter Mullan, Mark Gatiss and Liv Tyler in the three-part thriller set in the 17th century. The production is helmed by J Blakeson and the credited writer is Ronan Bennett.

This isn’t just another project for Harrington. The actor is a descendent of Robert Catesby, the central figure in the story who he is set to play. Catesby refuses to abandon his Catholic religion at a time when Catholics were relentlessly prosecuted by Protestant England. This refusal brings Catersby to the edge of financial, social, and psychological ruin.

Gunpowder was originally commissioned by BBC One in the UK. Harrington said that he is “thrilled to share this unique story with the US audience.”

Kary Antholis, president of HBO Miniseries and Cinemax Programming, said in a statement that the network is “delighted to offer a platform for a project that is so close to Kit Harington’s heart.”

Gunpowder premieres Monday, December 18.