Portrayed by Kit Harington

Status: Alive

Age: 23 (in his final season)

Date of Birth : 281 AC

Origin: Tower of Joy

Episode Appearances: 62

First Seen: ‘Winter Is Coming’

Last Seen: ‘The Iron Throne’

BACKGROUND

Seventeen-year-old Jon Snow has been raised in Winterfell as Lord Eddard Stark’s illegitimate son alongside his trueborn children with his wife Lady Catelyn Tully. Understandably, Eddard never told anyone, including Catelyn or Jon himself, who or where his mother was. When pressed by King Robert Baratheon, whom he couldn't deny an answer, Eddard went as far as to concoct a vague explanation that Jon's mother was some lowborn woman named "Wylla" that he met during the war. Lady Catelyn’s eldest son, Robb Stark, is acknowledged unquestionably as Eddard's heir, but Jon is otherwise never treated much differently than her younger sons Bran  and Rickon Stark.

Despite sharing a happy marriage, Jon's presence at Winterfell serves as a constant source of friction between Eddard and Catelyn. Catelyn never mistreats Jon, however, she is cold towards him, as he is a living reminder of the one time that Eddard had dishonored her. Due to his bastard status, Jon grew up feeling like an outsider at Winterfell. Although Eddard can see that he’s well-treated, Jon's attendance at Winterfell's more "formal" occasions is restricted and he at times would even be barred from sitting inside with his family so as not to offend important guests. Otherwise, Jon still lives better than many bastard-born children. He is loved by his father and siblings, is never hungry or poor, lives in his father's castle, and has a noble's upbringing. Jon received a highborn education from Maester Luwin and a young lord's martial training from Winterfell's Master-at-Arms, Ser Rodrik Cassel.

Of the Stark children, Jon is very close friends with Robb and, given that they are the same age, they are regular companions in training and riding. He is also close with both young Bran and Rickon, as well as having a friendly rival in Lord Eddard's ward, Theon Greyjoy. However, Jon's closest relationship is with his eleven-year-old sister Arya Stark, who, as an adventurous tomboy that is prone to un-ladylike pursuits, also feels like a social outsider. In contrast, Jon's relationship with his thirteen-year-old sister Sansa Stark is unpleasant; very much her mother's daughter, she is aloof and cold to him as well.