Skip to main content
Back to Show
My Grandparents’ War

The Spy Who Was Kit Harington’s Grandfather

Professor Richard Aldrich tells actor Kit Harington about his grandfather’s time in the British Intelligence Service during World War II. John Harington was stationed in Jamaica as an agent of MI5 and MI6 to keep an eye on Edward, Duke of Windsor — Nazi sympathizer and former King of England, who abdicated his throne and served as governor of the Bahamas during the war.

Sign up now for inspiring and thought-provoking media delivered straight to your inbox.
Support Provided By
Emeli Sandé
Unlock with PBS Passport
44:33
Emeli Sandé explores her grandparents’ remarkable stories of wartime courage.
Toby Jones
Unlock with PBS Passport
44:05
Actor Toby Jones uncovers the remarkable World War II stories of his grandparents.
Keira Knightley
Unlock with PBS Passport
43:54
Actress Keira Knightley learns new stories of her grandparents’ amazing wartime feats.
Kit Harington
Unlock with PBS Passport
41:52
Actor Kit Harington discovers the lengths his grandparents went to for love and country.
Active loading indicator