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Was Kit Harington’s Grandfather the Inspiration for Bond?

Season 2 Episode 1 | 2m 56s

Actor Kit Harington speaks with historian Phil Tomaselli about his grandfather’s service during World War II. He learns that his grandfather, John Harington, was recruited by the Naval Intelligence Division in 1941, and stationed in Jamaica at the same time as Ian Fleming — who would go on to write the series of James Bond novels, drawing inspiration from his time in British intelligence.

Original production funding for Season 2 of MY GRANDPARENTS' WAR was provided, in part, by MyHeritage and PBS viewers.

A production of Wonderhood Studios for Channel 4 Television, in association with The WNET Group.
Extras
Emeli Sandé learns about the apartheid era when her grandfather mined copper in Zambia.
Emeli Sandé’s grandparents fought on both sides of the African independence movement.
Emeli Sandé explores her grandparents’ remarkable stories of wartime courage.
Actor Toby Jones uncovers the remarkable World War II stories of his grandparents.
Toby Jones visits the very stage his grandmother performed on in Northern France in 1940.
Toby Jones learns how the war impacted his grandfather’s relationship with his family.
Keira Knightley learns her grandmother played an important role in D-Day preparations.
Actress Keira Knightley learns new stories of her grandparents’ amazing wartime feats.
Keira Knightley’s cousin shares the story of his father’s ordeal as a POW.
Kit Harington, Keira Knightley, Toby Jones and Emeli Sandé explore their families’ pasts.
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  • My Grandparents' War
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Emeli Sandé explores her grandparents’ remarkable stories of wartime courage.
Actor Toby Jones uncovers the remarkable World War II stories of his grandparents.
Actress Keira Knightley learns new stories of her grandparents’ amazing wartime feats.
Actor Kit Harington discovers the lengths his grandparents went to for love and country.
Follow Carey Mulligan as she learns how her grandfather survived an attack during WWII.
Discover how actress Kristin Scott Thomas’s grandfather saved thousands in WWII.
Explore the story of actor Mark Rylance’s grandfather, a prisoner of war in Hong Kong.
Follow actress Helena Bonham Carter as she explores the heroism of her grandparents.