At this point we are drowning in promotional interviews and other pieces for Game of Thrones season seven, but here at Watchers on the Wall we aim to find the proverbial message in a bottle adrift in this ocean of noise. Today, Gemma Whelan discusses how it feels to become a main character, revealing that was always the plan; and Aidan Gillen offers his controversial opinion on who should sit on the Iron Throne.
Back when Whelan was cast in Game of Thrones, she mostly acted as a comedian, but that didn’t stop her from pursuing the role of Yara Greyjoy, which was reportedly sought after by 70 other actresses. Now, six years later, Independent reports on Whelan’s thoughts on becoming a larger part of the show:
“I don’t mind playing a little part in a big series,” Whelan humbly confessed to the Independent, “but to become a main character is great.”
Indeed, Yara began this rise to prominence last season, when her father was killed and she made her bid for the Salt Throne. Though the ironborn chose her mad uncle Euron instead, Yara wasn’t dejected: with Theon at her side, the should-have-been-queen stole most of the Iron Fleet and made an alliance with Daenerys Targaryen halfway around the world. That is quite a robust season arc for a character who previously had only played a supporting role in Theon’s story. Nevertheless, this didn’t come as a total surprise to the actress, as it appeared to have been the plan all along:
“When the casting breakdown was given out, before I even auditioned, it said I have a much greater role in later seasons,” Whelan revealed, before qualifying: “Of course, you never believe what you read, and things change, but everything I was told would happen has happened.” Not that any of it goes to her head: “To even be thought capable to be holding such a storyline was a real honour.”
If you want to read about her other acting jobs, her involvement in politics, and the transgressions Game of Thrones led her to as a vegetarian, read the entire interview here.
Aidan Gillen, meanwhile, was interviewed by the Serbian newspaper Blic, where the Irish actor discussed season seven and the role Littlefinger will play. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t involve engaging in peace and tranquity and building bridges of trust between different peoples.
“My character continues to build his relationship with Sansa Stark,” Gillen began telling Blic, before teasing: “This relationship evolves after this season into something new and something that the viewers have not seen before.”
Whatever new form their relationship takes in season seven, it’s probably nohing good, as the Machiavellian Lord Baelish is always up to something reprehensible. However, Gillen can’t help but to love him:
“I look at [liking the character] as a part of my work, that the audience will love the character I play no matter how good or bad he is,” the actor explained. “I recently made a list of all the wrongdoings he did in the series to see if he’s good or bad, because he is perceived as a bad guy by the audience. It’s fun to lead the audience into liking Littlefinger in spite of all the bad things he did. Then they feel confused. Frankly, I love him.”
I can believe that, especially as he appears to share in Petyr’s love for chaos, if his choice for ruler of the Seven Kingdoms is anything to go by:
“I’ve always been a fan of Cersei, and she’s already there because of her determination,” Aidan admitted, though then he offered a perhaps more sensible (if also more selfish) alternative: “If I can, I would also add Arya, Sansa and myself.”
If that’s not enough for you, don’t worry, because later today we’ll bring you the highlights of Maisie Williams’ latest interview in Time‘s continuing story on Game of Thrones, and more!
Thank you to Filip for bringing the Blic piece to our attention and for offering a translation.
The post Gemma Whelan on Yara becoming a main character in Game of Thrones Season 7 & Aidan Gillen on who deserves the throne appeared first on Watchers on the Wall.
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