Gwendoline Christie says Kristofer Hivju stays in character — all the time

Brienne of Tarth doesn't have time for laughs on-screen, but off is different.
Brienne of Tarth doesn’t have time for laughs on the show, but off-screen is different.

From the moment we saw Tormund (Kristofer Hivju) making eyes at Brienne of Tarth (Gwnedoline Christie) across the table at Castle Black in season 6, the Brimund — or is it Tormienne? — shippers have gone wild every time the two are in a scene together, even if Brienne is decidedly uncomfortable at the red-haired wildling’s leers. And that doesn’t stop even in between takes, according to Christie.

The two will be waiting for their next scene and having a bite to eat and Hivju “will just start chewing a sandwich wildly at me, really making love to that sandwich as he eyeballs me,” like he did during their scene together in Castle Black, Christie said in a recent appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers. “Eyes like lasers.”

Christie revealed that she also has a tendency to break down into laughter during scenes with Tormund — and that the grins and leers from Hivju are entirely of his own making.

“I’m a classically trained actress, but this is the one time I just dissolve,” she said to Meyers. “No one told me this was going to happen. All it says in the script is ‘Tormund gives Brienne a look.’ I wasn’t expecting the power, the magnitude, the intense sexual intentions of to pour out of a man’s eyes and just cover me completely!”

Christie also talked to Meyers about how her fans are often respectful about asking for photos, with one notable exception: when a woman slid her phone underneath a bathroom stall divider and asked, “Selfie?”

14 Comments

  1. I saw that this morning, and her depiction of the bathroom scene was hilarious!

    Short bit of the 2nd ‘The Game Revealed’:

  2. There are two people on the show that I like to believe are very much like their character, personality speaking; Liam and Hivju. It may take Hivju being at his wackiest moments to be like Tormund, but I still imagine him being close. Maybe not. Liam really seems to actually BE Davos though. Fun stuff.

  3. Between the constant weather watching and all the storm prep, this is the awesomest thing I’ve read all day! 😂

  4. A fun interview! Gwendoline can really tell a story. Love the bit about Hivju. I’ve seen some of his Instagram posts and he has a great sense of humor!

  5. I love finding out these kind of details from the set! From what I’ve seen, my absolute favourite actor to hang out with would be Conleth, but I’d be more than happy to invite “Kristoline” as well.

    Clob,

    The one who’s least like their character might be Lena Heady. I’d much rather go out for a drink with Lena than with Cercei! 🙂

  6. So for an article talking about Brienne and Tormund you use a photo of Brienne and Jamie??? Are you sure Axechucker didn’t write this?

  7. I admit that I have rewound their scenes together more once. Those burning looks never fail to crack me up.

    Tormund of Tarth has a nice ring to it. If only……

  8. How many times can Gwendoline say things like “terrifying” and “creepy” regarding Tormund before people get the hint that this isn’t a romance, but rather a guy hitting on a woman who is completely not interested and never, ever, under any circumstances, will be.

  9. HotPinkLipstick:
    How many times can Gwendoline say things like “terrifying” and “creepy” regarding Tormund before people get the hint that this isn’t a romance, but rather a guy hitting on a woman who is completely not interested and never, ever, under any circumstances, will be.

    This.

    I dearly love Tormund and hope to gods old and new to see him in S8, but he’s not the man for Brienne. She loves another. It’s great that she has an unlikely admirer (or maybe not all that unlikely, the Wildlings like strong, independent warrior women) so that she can realise that she can be desireable. In the books another character not in the show takes on this role. Lovesick Tormund and somewhat appalled but confused southron lady Brienne is comedy gold.

    But Tormund + Brienne shipping seems to hinge on the man’s desires, ignoring the woman’s. He fancies her so he should get her, nevermind what she thinks.

    Gwendoline is always such a delight, as is our favourite Norwegian wildling Kristofer Hivju – check out his Instagram!

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