Games of Thrones actor defends ‘black out’ theatre nights

Jeremy O Harris, Olivia Washington and Kit Harington after the press night performance of Slave Play at the Noel Coward Theatre in London earlier this month. Photograph: Dave Benett/Jed Cullen/Getty Images

It is a topic that has been weaponised in the culture wars including by the previous prime minister, but now one of Britain’s leading actors has defended “black out” nights at theatres.

The Game of Thrones star Kit Harington has said the initiative of his new play to stage some performances for black-identifying audiences only was “an incredibly positive thing” and denied the claim it discriminated against white people.