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Was Kit Harington’s Grandfather the Inspiration for Bond?

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.
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Clip Season 2 Episode 1 Length 02:56 Premiere: 04/11/23

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Season 2 My Grandparents' War Episodes

Emeli Sandé
S2 E4 Length 44:33 Premiere Date 05/02/23

Toby Jones
S2 E3 Length 44:05 Premiere Date 04/25/23

Keira Knightley
S2 E2 Length 43:54 Premiere Date 04/18/23

Kit Harington
S2 E1 Length 41:52 Premiere Date 04/11/23

Kit Harington Preview
Preview Length 00:32 Premiere Date 04/11/23

Was Kit Harington’s Grandfather the Inspiration for Bond?
Clip Length 02:56 Premiere Date 04/11/23

The Spy Who Was Kit Harington’s Grandfather
Clip Length 02:44 Premiere Date 04/11/23

Season 2 Official Preview
Preview Length 01:35 Premiere Date 04/11/23

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Kit Harington - S2 E1

Kit Harington digs into his grandparents' experiences during World War II. His grandfather John Harington ran one of the most controversial spying operations of the 20th century. And Kit learns why his grandfather Mick never spoke about the war.

  • Sunday May 24, 2026 8:00 pm ET on KET2
  • Sunday May 24, 2026 7:00 pm CT on KET2
  • Tuesday May 26, 2026 2:00 am ET on KET2
  • Tuesday May 26, 2026 1:00 am CT on KET2

Keira Knightley - S2 E2

Keira Knightley embarks on an emotional journey of discovery to explore her grandparents' extraordinary wartime stories, from her grandad's dramatic war at sea, in the Navy, to her grandmother's secret role in the D-Day landings.

  • Sunday May 24, 2026 9:00 pm ET on KET2
  • Sunday May 24, 2026 8:00 pm CT on KET2
  • Tuesday May 26, 2026 3:00 am ET on KET2
  • Tuesday May 26, 2026 2:00 am CT on KET2

Emeli Sande - S2 E3

Award-winning musician Emeli Sande explores her grandparents' remarkable war stories which span World War II, the Mau Mau insurgency in Kenya, and the fight for independence in Zambia.

  • Sunday May 31, 2026 8:00 pm ET on KET2
  • Sunday May 31, 2026 7:00 pm CT on KET2
  • Tuesday June 2, 2026 2:00 am ET on KET2
  • Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:00 am CT on KET2

Toby Jones - S2 E4

Actor Toby Jones delves into the WWII stories of his grandparents, Reggie and Doreen Heslewood. Doreen risked her life traveling into war zones to lift the morale of British troops, while Reggie fought the Japanese in Burma and India.

  • Sunday May 31, 2026 9:00 pm ET on KET2
  • Sunday May 31, 2026 8:00 pm CT on KET2
  • Tuesday June 2, 2026 3:00 am ET on KET2
  • Tuesday June 2, 2026 2:00 am CT on KET2

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