In a (possibly? maybe? probably not) final series of pre-season 7 interviews, Alfie Allen and Kit Harington address their characters’ respective sibling relationships, Aidan Gillen weighs in on Littlefinger’s determination in season 7 and David Nutter reflects on the terror of directing iconic Game of Thrones moments.
Alfie Allen spoke to Mic about the tumultuous journey both he and his character have been on over the past six seasons. Theon’s certainly changed an awful lot since season 1 but, according to Allen, fans’ demeanor towards him on the street and at cons has remained the same.
“I’ve not really had any sort of different reactions from people, everyone has always just been very nice and the only thing that I’ve ever really noticed was that it seems to make people happy…” he said. “I’ve had a few encounters with people where they’ve suffered some sort of physical torment in their lives and they’ve said the treatment I received in the show has definitely given them some sort of strength, on some sort of level. I guess different people feel differently about the show, so some people relate to different types of characters and some people just want escapism.”
Though Allen admitted he couldn’t say much about Theon’s storyline with his sister in season 7, he did offer some insight into the ongoing development of their relationship:
“The relationship between Theon and Yara, where we left it, they just formed an alliance with Daenerys. So I’d say that their relationship will continue, just seeing how that new leadership’s going to evolve and how it’s going to change their lives and where the paths take them under the new leadership of Daenerys.”
In an interview with Us Magazine Kit Harington speculated on how the surviving Stark children would react in the event of a Winterfell reunion.
“I think it would be the same family dynamics just with people who have grown up,” he said, “Sansa and Jon reunite and within a half an hour, they’re arguing like they used to. Arya and Jon would be very caring toward each other. I think he would be worried about Bran, if I’m honest. He last saw Bran when he was a little kid and in a coma. Now, Bran’s seeing s**t. I think it would be intense.”
When asked if Jon will ever find love again, Harington stated that Ygritte was Jon’s one and only love, never to be replaced … though he also said in the same interview that the fun part of doing press junkets is “leading people astray.”
In a video interview with The Wall Street Journal, Harington talked about who he believes should win the Iron Throne and what he considers to be the central theme of Game of Thrones:
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Aidan Gillen chatted about his run on Game of Thrones and the tendency for actors to “bitch about the weather” in lieu of better conversational material. More seriously, he addressed how Littlefinger views the revival of House Stark and how that might mess with his master plan in season 7.
“Littlefinger’s one of the most determined characters—ruthless and rigorous. His drive isn’t diminished in any way,” was all he said.
Lastly, David Nutter spoke to Time about his work on Game of Thrones. He discussed how fear is often his greatest motivator when directing an episode of such a massive show, particularly iconic moments like the Red Wedding which famously concluded on a haunting close up of Catelyn Stark. Nutter noted that, for all of Game of Thrones‘ spectacle and fantastical elements, it’s the audience’s connection with the characters that makes the show work.
“We’ve all seen too many would-be Game of Thrones killers that have come to the fore. If you simply don’t care about the people you’re watching, it doesn’t matter,” he said. “Size doesn’t matter in that respect. It’s about having a heart you care about and believe in. It’s the characters you can relate to—and if you find characters who can affect you in an emotional way, you’ll follow them anywhere.”
Holdoor
I don’t think people do want to do that, you know? There’s definitely times when we’ve seen drones flying overhead and security guards have had to shoot them out of the sky. If people want to go on online news sites and watch the scenes being filmed and ruin it for themselves, well, that’s their own choice.
But in terms of us as a group and having to keep tight-lipped on it, we have the HBO snipers to remind us of that, to watch out for that red dot.
Kit’s summary of the Stark children reuniting is hilarious and as true as I could imagine it.
As far as Jon not having anymore love interests out of respect for Ygritte, I think that’d be fitting for Jon. I mean he was NEVER supposed to even have a relationship or sexual conduct anyways so at least he can say he’s had his fun. Besides, I think thwarting the doom of Westeros comes before any relationship.
Before I go to sleep I wanna say this to Kit:
https://media.giphy.com/media/38fblIIrHLMPe/giphy.gif
Wow, from Alfies interview
Yikes I wonder if they feel the ladies of Red Landing during Blackwater, eyeing Ill Payne…..:)
Alfie!!!! Aidan!!!! ❤❤❤
Kit is just having fun with it know, which is nice. If he met up with Bran again, at least he wouldn’t have someone yelling at him to get out of the room this time.
Pigeon:
Yes!
As we near the end of this show, I am incredibly interested in Theon’s story…much more so than many other characters. (I can’t even begin to guess what is yet to come for him.) Alfie has done such a wonderful job in this role. It really has been an unforgettable performance.
Loved Aiden’s comment about the actors “bitching” about the weather. My son met him in London a few years ago. Aiden was great but much of their conversation was about the weather (it was a cold, snowy day in early April).
Great WSJ interview with Kit. I hope they release the full video. What a sad, chilling story about the disappearing glaciers in Iceland.
Ah, me too! Alfie really has been a gem. I didn’t like Theon at all in the beginning, and yet he had grown to be one of my most loved characters. From faux bravado and foolishness to a fragile shell of a person that was almost painful to watch, he has been nothing short of amazing.
Aidan seems like someone who would be a bit introverted and somewhat uncomfortable in the spotlight, but with a wickedly dry sense of humour. I like hearing of celebrities being pleasant human beings, as I don’t know that I’d handle even minor fame too well! Is your son a Game of Thrones fan ad well? Too funny that they had the ‘weather chat.’ 😃
My son is a huge GOT fan. He introduced me to it. Despite the miserable weather, Aiden was kind enough to ask my son what brought him to London. (He was studying abroad for one semester.) They also discussed The Wire…Aiden was wonderful in that as well.
I wish that there was more recognition of Alfie’s performance beyond GOT fans. I hope that lots of great roles get tossed his way when all of this is over. He has made me really care about Theon.
While solving the Friday, May 7th NY Times crossword puzzle this morning (I’m a crossword freak, but it’s been a bit busy lately, hence the log jam), I happened across this clue: “Tyrion Lannister of ‘Game of Thrones’ and others.”
Three letters. No surprise for GOT fans, the answer is:
Cast sum up their S7 storylines with one look https://twitter.com/HBO/status/886039205209661441
I totally agree with Kit that Thrones has always been about dysfunctional families. Exactly what I’ve always thought! 🙂
Looking forward once again to the vivid imagination of GRR Martin tearing the roof off this mothersucker
Jenny,
It’s obvious how much he likes to troll people lol.
Finally an Alfie interview, I have been waiting for that.
Alfie Allen, Aidan Gillen and Kit Harington ! Bloody marvelously fantastic ! 😀
Alfie Allen is a remarkable actor. His portrayal of Theon during the fall of Winterfell was stunning; he managed to look both euphoric and haunted, like a man who, deep down, knows he is making a terrible mistake but has come too far, can no longer stop and just lets the “high” of the situation carry him through his doubts. Truly genius.
Aidan Gillen sounds so brilliantly cheeky and wry. Amazing actor and terrific Littlefinger, through and through. I cannot wait to see him on Peaky Blinders; this show is a masterpiece. And I empathise with him entirely : if I could, I too would get every single one of those mockingbird pins…
Kit Harington is as charming as ever. I agree wholeheartedly with his take on dysfunctional families being at the core of ASoIaF and share his desire to see Tyrion occupy a position of power and responsibility. However, I really cannot agree with the idea that people who seek power are those least deserving of it. I do not see any evidence of this either in the books or on the show (or in real life, for that matter).
Robert Baratheon and Tommen never wanted to sit on a throne, Were they thus particularly deserving of it ? Considering how very little natural talent they showed as rulers, I cannot say I am convinced.
Conversely, Daenerys and Tyrion have repeatedly sought power and recognition. Yet, they do not appear unworthy of it.
Wasn’t Carice supposed to be on Kimmel on Thursday?
Jack Bauer 24,
Yes Jack she was but I haven’t seen anything on it.Maybe she cancelled.
Obviously standing in line to give praise to Alfie Allen and very happy we finally get an interview with him.
It’s beyond me how he’s not won an Emmy or at least been nominated yet, but I’m sure it’ll happen, and hopefully in 2018. 🙂 It seems to me it is an ungrateful job portraying such a complex character but I’m glad that Alfie’s not thinking that way. And there’s no doubt that he’s made more and more viewers care about and root for Theon. Personally he made me go from indifferent till “Theon’s my favorite!!”
New shot of Grey Worm, apparantly from episode 3:
http://www.farfarawaysite.com/section/got/gallery7/gallery3/hires/5.jpg
Also, #WINTERISHERE!!!
Its tomorrow *hyperventilates*
My God! Aidan, you silly man, you stuck it in your sleeve! Of course you’d want ALL the mockingbird pins.
By far my favorite actor in this show. I hope his character does get to stay with the series for season 8 but I have a feeling with him already getting a part in the next season of Peaky Blinders may actually mean his Petyr Baelish has reached the end of the road and he’s ready to move on. Who knows, but I will miss LF badly. On the plus side I’m delighted to hear he got a part in that series .
Singedbylife,
Yes indeed! Praise well deserved!
TormundsWoman,
Ya Aiden is a great actor but through his recent interviews I think at least he is gonna make till the end of this season, but who knows what’s gonna happen. Personally I want to see him more as Petyr Baelish.
So good to finally see Alfie getting a interview, he really is incredibly underrated but I always thought he was incredible and deserved more attention and notice.
ACME,
I agree with you about the power comment, I think it’s less to do with people wanting power and more to do with what they want with the power and how they go about getting it. Someone who doesn’t want power but gets it can go as badly as someone who seeks it out, it’s more the people who understand that power is a heavy burden and still go after it for the right reasons that I think are most deserving of it.