Most Game of Thrones characters live a rather miserable existence, so, you know, it can
be kind of hard to look cute all the time.
Wearing armor covered in grime doesn't lend itself to premium selfie content, but you're
in luck.
We hereby bring you a closer look at some Game of Thrones actors who are gorgeous in
real life.
Spoilers ahead!
In Season 6, actor and stuntman Vladimír Furdik donned an ice crown and piercing blue
contacts to play The Night King, the ultimate baddie from The North, replacing former actor
Richard Brake.
He says that showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss requested that he take on the role
of Night King for reasons that still elude him.
Furdik told Entertainment Weekly:
Furdik admitted he usually wouldn't get recognized by fans without the makeup, but when they
did recognize him, they usually had one question:
"Can you please kill Jon Snow?"
Furdík's Instagram page is full of behind-the-scenes photos and videos from Game of Thrones, as
well as the occasional selfie.
Arya Stark, how could you?
She's probably one of the most hated characters on Game of Thrones: The Waif is the ruthless
assassin who tried killing our beloved Arya Stark.
"If you'd have done your job, she would have died painlessly."
Like many characters in Game of Thrones, plenty of fan theories have emerged about The Waif's
true identity…but they've never played out onscreen.
Still, you never know with this show, do you?
Although actress Faye Marsay enjoyed her time playing the cold-blooded killer, she didn't
appreciate what happened after her character's death.
During a press conference to promote her Black Mirror episode in 2016, she revealed:
This reportedly prompted Marsay to quit social media, and she has no plans to jump back on
anytime soon, saying:
Gilly, portrayed by Hannah Murray, is a former Wildling who found love with the gentle Samwell
Tarly after escaping a life of abuse at the hands of her psychotic father, Craster.
Game of Thrones' treatment of its female characters has been a controversial topic since the beginning,
but thanks to Murray, a sex scene featuring Gilly was changed.
She told Vulture that it's the scene she's, quote, "most proud of," and she revealed she
contacted showrunners after reading the scripted version and had it altered.
She also told Vulture:
Ah, Podrick Payne, the loyal squire.
Once in service of Tyrion Lannister and now Brienne of Tarth, Podrick has been a staple
of the series and remains a fan favorite, but his role wasn't planned that way.
"Feel free to stop at any point."
"Never, m'lady.
I'm your squire."
In 2019, Daniel Portman, the actor who portrays Podrick, told Esquire:
He also told Esquire he believes Game of Thrones needs a character like Podrick; someone for
the audience to root for amidst all the brutality:
Well, if it isn't Brienne of Tarth…or should we say Ser Brienne of Tarth, Knight of the
Seven Kingdoms?
We know you cried during that scene.
We all did.
Brave and noble, Brienne has become a feminist icon.
Actress Gwendoline Christie, who stands an imposing 6'3", is incredibly grateful to play
such an empowering role.
In 2015, she told Harper's Bazaar:
In May 2019, she told GQ:
"I didn't think that character would last, because she wasn't, she isn't conventionally attractive."
Ser Gregor Clegane is better known as "The Mountain" for his massive size, and his affection
for violence and cruelty knows no bounds.
Since season 4, he's been played by Icelandic professional strongman Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson.
"Being strong is not just being strong.
You have to be mentally strong as well.
You have to have your mind ready."
The Mountain was turned into a silent zombie and personal bodyguard of Cersei Lannister
in season 5, just making him more terrifying.
Björnsson's portrayal of the brutal killer has turned an otherwise minor character into
one that viewers love to hate.
Asked to give details about The Mountain's transformation into an undead monster, Björnsson
didn't give much away.
He merely told Daily Beast:
As expected, his favorite kill was the gruesome death of fan favorite, Oberyn Martell.
He told Daily Beast:
Also known as "The Hound," the perpetually grumpy Sandor Clegane has enjoyed quite the
character arc, but he's perhaps best remembered as Arya Stark's longstanding road trip buddy.
The Hound's relationship with Arya on-screen mirrors actors Rory McCann and Maisie Williams'
relationship off-screen.
In 2014, he told Rolling Stone:
As for his experience on Game of Thrones, McCann has nothing but good words to say:
"Yeah I'm going to miss The Hound.
Sometimes there's no acting required."
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