Countdown to the Premiere: Game of Thrones Season 5 interview roundup

With just six days to go until Game of Thrones Season 5 is beamed to our TVs, we’ve rounded up a final batch of interviews to help make the wait a little more tolerable.

To start off, here’s a brief video from The Hollywood Reporter in which Emilia Clarke talks about what could happen if Daenerys met Jon and Tyrion.

Lots more below the cut (and mild spoilers).

New cast members Keisha Castle-Hughes, Jessica Henwick, and Rosabell Laurenti Sellers talked with the NY Post about playing the Sand Snakes. Jessica Henwick gave a succinct description of the differences between Oberyn’s daughters:

Tyene’s about trying to prove herself. Obara charges in. Nymeria’s aware of the big picture.

The New York Daily News interviewed Kit Harington in Magheramorne Quarry (home to the new Hardhome set) back when he was shooting scenes for the upcoming season. Here’s some of what he had to say about Jon:

He’s emotionally constipated in some ways — I always felt that I couldn’t connect him to the emotional side of myself because he’s not a modern person. He’s very much like his father, very withheld. He behaves very much in the old world sense of what a man should be, and it’s stifled him somewhat.

The publication itself also had an interesting observation on the set, saying that “[a]round [Kit] nearly 200 men and women wearing animal skins and medieval outfits mill about, moving in and out of primitive-looking cottages.”

Showrunners and producers David Benioff and Dan Weiss answered five questions about Season 5 for Zap2it. On the nature of “shocking deaths” in the show, they had the following to say:

Sometimes they won’t be shocking, we don’t think. Sometimes they’ll feel tragically inevitable. In either case, if they’re born from dramatic necessity and not some kind of “gotcha!” impulse, we don’t think there will be death fatigue. Or, no moreso than there was before the show started. Speaking only for ourselves, we are well and truly over the whole death thing. It’s been three billion years of that s***. Enough already.

Sansa2

Book readers will find this one interesting. In a new interview with Entertainment Weekly, Sophie Turner had the following to say about where Sansa’s storyline will be taking her this season:

It’s definitely a dark season for her. She just escaped King’s Landing, and she goes back to a place where she becomes somewhat of a prisoner again. Despite being a prisoner again, she plays it out very differently this time compared to before. She tries to take command and begins to manipulate the people who are keeping her prisoner—which is nice.

The Red Bulletin also interviewed Sophie Turner, along with Carice van Houten and Liam Cunningham, and Emilia Clarke. On Melisandre, Carice said

Let’s say it is my favorite season so far for my character. I had more to do than ever before and also there are slight shifts in her focus, ahm … I’m not allowed to give anything away.

while Liam offered his thoughts on the possible evolution of a relationship between Team Stannis and Jon Snow:

Well Jon is married to the wall, so even if we wanted there to be a journey, it would be difficult. He IS the Night’s Watch. He has devoted his life to it. So that makes things difficult. However we are in quite a positive position at the start of season 5, the most positive position “Team Stannis” has been in since we met. Blackwater was a disaster, we had nothing, we were powerless and frail.

Finally, a new 45-minute behind the scenes video has surfaced, featuring comments from cast and crew alike. The feature is dubbed over in Spanish, but if you listen closely you can still make out a lot of the original English audio.

85 Comments

  1. I checked the guest lists for the US late night shows this week to see that the only GoT cast member on one is Kit tonight on with Seth Meyers. Maybe there will be more in the next few weeks after the premiere but I was surprised there weren’t leading into it.

  2. Ha, the Carice and Liam interview is the one I translated parts of from German earlier (I guess the Austrian team was present at the same event?) . Interesting to see the original 🙂 though they proabably each made their own transcript to work from.

  3. Clob,

    In the UK, Maisie is on Alan Carr thiss Friday but no one is due on Graham Norton, and Jonathan Ross is on a break. I guess there will be people on the Breakfast shows/ The One Show though.

  4. I am so curious about Tyrion’s journey this season. Wonderful, wonderful to see him out of Westeros and in Essos this season. And please let him journey by Valyria and see dragons flying about….
    Jon Snow in a blond wig gave me nightmares……

  5. Get it straight, Emilia. Dany is Jon’s aunt, not his sister. And he is totally taking one of your dragons.

  6. Tyrion Pimpslap,

    Nope, The gold one to Tyrion, cause he’s a Lannister, the Green to Bran cause he’s a Green Seer and Dany gets Drogon. Jon gets Ghost, cause Ghost is plain awesome, oh and the Ice Dragon that cometh, you know it’s coming, to many references.
    Don’t blame me for not naming the other two, the show hasn’t name dropped them yet.

  7. tyjon,

    Tyrion is a strategist. Picturing him riding a dragon into battle just seems silly….wait, that is totally going to happen. Damn you, George! Killing a horse with his pointy helmet wasn’t enough for you, was it?

  8. I don’t know how much of it it’s true or will be applied to the series, but the white-haired, blue-eyed guy in the Canal+ video says that bastards in Dorne are acknowledged and have rights, which may prove to be interesting if Trystane were to die…
    EDIT: nervermind, he’s from the spanish publishing house, so…

    And i’d say you’re not missing much (except from that) if you don’t understand the video, since nearly everything has already appeared in other videos and what hasn’t is everyone praising Spain, the food, the culture, the extras (who are from several countries, including Iceland, Italy, South Africa…) the fans and so on from what i’ve seen

    Another interesting bit is the fact that during filming in Osuna, several “noble” extras suffered heatstrokes due to the clothing and the weather being too warm, and that the unsullied armor is also a pain.

  9. Clob:
    I checked the guest lists for the US late night shows this week to see that the only GoT cast member on one is Kit tonight on with Seth Meyers.Maybe there will be more in the next few weeks after the premiere but I was surprised there weren’t leading into it.

    Apparently Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is supposed to be on Jimmy Fallon this week!
    http://www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show/filters/guests/117181

  10. as Mention Dany and Jon would be Aunt and Nephew, Now her and Tyrion could be brother and sister. at least half brother and sister

  11. Clob,

    Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is supposed to be on The Tonight Show on Thursday so there is at least one more!

  12. Emilia Clarke has overestimated the popularity of her character. She doesn’t seem to even relate to Daenerys as a human being. It’s all “She gets what she wants, she’ll beat anyone in a showdown”. Very delusional.

  13. Tyrion Pimpslap,

    No, I’m really not. I just think it affects Emilia’s performance. Even she seems to buy that Daenerys is some Messianic figure, not a human being.

  14. tyjon,

    The gold one to Jaime because hes always been the golden boy the green one to Cersei because she has always been filled with envy and the black one to jon because he has taken the black. Plot twist Dany never reaches westeros.

  15. Beacon,

    Emilia tends to give cheeky, light-hearted answers to interview questions, so what? You have my permission to chill out.

  16. I know people are worried about Sansa’s storyline, but I was actually happy to read this quote. I was worried that being a victim would be a weird direction to go after she’s finally got some agency, but Sophie implies that even though she’s a prisoner, some of her agency is still retained, she finds a way to.affect her surroundings despite her predicament…exciting

  17. This isn’t directly related to these interviews, but I can’t stop looking at this Washington Post illustrated guide to every death in the show so far.

    And this publicity blitz is one of many reasons why I don’t envy actors. Must be frustrating having to answer the same dumb questions over and over again, especially five years into it.

  18. It’s important to remember that Winterfell was Sansa’s home. It’s not as if she will be a prisoner at the Dreadfort. Outside of Ramsay and his bitch of a girlfriend, I don’t see who could harm her. The north remembers and all that.

  19. Another interview from Kit.
    http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/entertainment/kit-harington-i-dont-know-if-game-of-thrones-will-go-out-in-big-screen-style-670470.html

    I read description of that “Olly,fetch me my sword” scene and it’s powerful.I am not Kit’s biggest fan,but this could be great.Season 4 was already good from him and hopefully he can nailed that LC stuff this season.Really looking forward to Stannis/Shireen scene as well.I am so hyped about The Wall stuff. 🙂
    I wonder,if Stannis will leave Shireen and Selyse at CB or take them on march to Winterfell?Mel is definitely going…I don’t think she’s returning to CB anytime soon.Maybe after all Bran with Bloodraven will help Jon and not her.
  20. Geralt of Rivia,

    I don’t think you can be so sure that Mel goes with Stannis. Carice has said Melisandre’s focus shifts this season. I don’t see how her going with Stannis is a shift in focus for the character. I’m assuming you are basing this opinion on the one shot of her in Stannis’ tent. We really have no reference to when or where that scene is.
  21. Beacon:
    Emilia Clarke has overestimated the popularity of her character. She doesn’t seem to even relate to Daenerys as a human being. It’s all “She gets what she wants, she’ll beat anyone in a showdown”. Very delusional.

    Sounds like she is perfectly in character as Daenerys then. 😉

  22. All this Darth Sansa crap is an insult to everybody concerned. I’m tired of these teenage girls in the audience thinking villainy in GRRM’s world doesn’t have psychological ramifications. They’ve watched too many Disney movies, Harry Potter movies and Jane Austen movies.

  23. Lars,

    I know, isn’t it sad? She can’t even get perspective on her own character. I swear to R’hillor, this girl thinks she is in a Star Wars movie and at the end of Thrones, she’s going to be handing out the medals of honor a la Princess Leia smiling ear to ear with her dragons swirling around in the air. It’s like, Emilia, you have a potentially remarkable, flamboyant character on your hands. Don’t believe the hype about her. Play against the narrative and the fans will love you for it.

  24. Is it premature of me to speculate that Melisandre is going to be something of a maternal figure to the Night’s Watch? She’s a very different kettle of fish.

  25. Beacon:
    It’s important to remember that Winterfell was Sansa’s home. It’s not as if she will be a prisoner at the Dreadfort. Outside of Ramsay and his bitch of a girlfriend, I don’t see who could harm her.

    The Boltons’ men? Winterfell is effectively their castle now, with Bolton guards.

    Beacon:
    All this Darth Sansa crap is an insult to everybody concerned.I’m tired of these teenage girls in the audience thinking villainy in GRRM’s world doesn’t have psychological ramifications.

    ?

  26. Hodor Targaryen,

    I 100% agree, initially I was worried that Sansa being passive and a victim would be a detriment to her progression at the tail end of last season. However, I think it’s more realistic that she subtly navigates her surroundings, much more believable this way and will certainly make for better TV than out of character declarations of power.

    I’m just ready for the music to swell when Sansa arrives in…it’s going to be emotional!

    In the EW interview Sophie refers to a change of costume from the Malefisansa one, obvs she doesn’t go into detail but I suppose that coincides with all the speculation gahhh!

  27. Sean C.,

    People don’t just change personality because the plot dictates it. They generally believe Sansa is going to be out there killing people. Just because the Boltons live at Winterfell doesn’t mean Sansa won’t find comfort in its walls and surrounding areas. Maybe her brother Bran will even find a way to communicate with her through the Godswood? Winterfell has mystical ways that no bastard scum Bolton has the imagination to fathom. Call it animism or what have you. But even the STONES there are sacred.

  28. Six days till premiere random stats time!

    Current length of existing partnerships on show:

    1. Tyrion and Varys (last seen leaving King’s Landing, one in a box) – 1 episode
    2. Brienne and Podrick (somewhere in the Vale. Left King’s Landing in 4.4, Oathbreaker) – 7 episodes.
    3. Sansa Stark and Littlefinger (together, technically, since 4.3, Breaker of Chains, though their relationship goes longer) – 8 episodes
    4. Jaime and Cersei (together since 1.1, Winter is Coming, reunited in same location in 3.10, Mhysa) – technically, 11 episodes
    5. Jon and Sam (reunited in 3.10, Mhysa) – 11 episodes, in a sense.
    6. Daenarys and Daario Naharis (together since 3.8, Second Sons) – 13 episodes
    7. Daenarys and Grey Worm (together since 3.5, Kissed By Fire) – 16 episodes
    8. Daenarys and Missandei (together since 3.4, And Now His Watch Is Ended) – 17 episodes
    9. Sam and Gilly (still in the same place together, reunited. Traveling together since 3.4, And Now His Watch Is Ended) – 17 episodes.
    10. Daenarys and Barristan Selmy (together since 3.1, Valar Dohaeris) – 20 episodes
    11. Theon and Ramsay Snow (Ramsay captured Theon in 2.10, Valar Morghulis; characters have been interacting since) – 21 episodes
    12. Stannis and Davos (together since 2.1, The North Remembers) – 30 episodes
    13. Stannis and Melisandre (same) – 30 episodes

    Actors In All Five Seasons of Opening Credits, with some assumptions being made:
    Peter Dinklage
    Lena Headey
    Nicolaj Coster-Waldau
    Emilia Clarke
    Kit Harington
    Maisie Williams
    Sophie Turner
    Iain Glen
    Alfie Allen
    Aiden Gillen

    That’s just 10. Any other who has appeared in all 5 seasons did not appear in the opening credits in season 1 (Jerome Flynn, Conleth Hill, Charles Dance).

  29. With any luck Dany will get a sword shoved through her back soon after setting foot in Westeros, fire might not kill her but cold steel will do the trick, this is unlikely but one can dream.

  30. Hodor Targaryen:
    I know people are worried about Sansa’s storyline, but I was actually happy to read this quote. I was worried that being a victim would be a weird direction to go after she’s finally got some agency, but Sophie implies that even though she’s a prisoner, some of her agency is still retained, she finds a way to.affect her surroundings despite her predicament…exciting

    Though Sophie also said that season 3 was when Sansa stopped being a pawn and became a player, which obviously did not happen.

  31. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is doing for press things this week.

    – The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon [April 9]
    – Live with Kelly & Michael [April 10]
    – The Wall Street Journal’s WSJ Cafe [April 10]
    – HuffPost Live [April 10]

  32. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is doing four press things this week.

    – The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon [April 9]
    – Live with Kelly & Michael [April 10]
    – The Wall Street Journal’s WSJ Cafe [April 10]
    – HuffPost Live [April 10]

  33. Beacon,

    What makes Daenerys popular is not the fact that she developed a mindset of “I get what I want,” it’s that it’s flawed, she sees the flaws, and adapts accordingly.

  34. Kit Harrington was a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers tonight. Good interview with a great skit. Imagine inviting Jon Snow over for dinner. Funny.

  35. A little out of topic but did anyone saw that video :

    https://www.youtube….h?v=BabsgCQhpu4

    Seth Meyers invites Jon Snow to a dinner. Kit must have had such a blast shooting this, it’s hilarious !

  36. ace,

    Yeah, the interview/skit was broken into two segments. Thanks for finding the 2nd video. I love how late night talk shows embrace GoT.

  37. Isn’t Emilia’s vid a slight spoiler itself? I know

    R+L=J

    is the worst kept secret in bookfandom, but the show has never really hinted on it (there are some clues that in hindsight or with bookknowledge make sense, but still).

  38. Beacon,

    The show has dealt with Dany’s struggle to control her dragons, but it hasn’t really touched on her struggles with madness.

    The show is for People magazine readers, the book is for book readers. People like Dany on the show because she has physical charisma. No more, no less.

    In a generation (or less) ASOIAF will be redone to better match the books. Perhaps a fan collaboration?

  39. Veltigar,

    A little. 😀

    Although with R+L=J Dany is most likely Jon’s aunt not sister.
    LF tells Sansa about Tourney at Harrenhal,Barristan tells Dany about Rhaegar and Mad King this season.Blue rose(Dusk rose in the show) from Daario to Dany 3×01 along with Lady’s Lace(maybe Sansa or reference to three headed dragon and in that case Dany) and Harpy’s Gold(Tyrion),blue rose in the House of the Undying,Robert and Ned scene form season 1,Oberyn with Tyrion:Rhaegar left her for another women.Slowly we’re getting there.D&D love to shock fans and this one would be huge.I was worried,but after last season not anymore. 🙂
    I have my personal theory that Sansa or Tyrion will somehow figured it out.Tyrion is smart guy and Sansa will be in the crypts this season(judging by that second trailer).There is only one person that needs to be convinced and that’s Dany.YG is probably cut,so Jon’s reveal would be that much more shocking.
  40. What do you think jaimes duck thing means. ? I’m kinda certain that we’re gettin either the YG stuff or stoneheart this season . From what I understand ,most of of the scenes in the trailers take place in the first 4 episodes , the last 3 years they had lil specials on hbo to hi late certain scenes in the season to come we see none of that this year . Especially with news [ of barriston at the end of sons Of harpy } I beleive they must be ending charectors to help pay for new ones . Has anyone else heard that Gary old man plans to audition for eurons part? Is that just bullshit ? I got a friend in l a who is involved in the industry and swears it’s a possibility . So maybe early exits for some actors will free up money for new actors ? I dunno I’m super excited 5 more days

  41. Stannis the Mannis,

    I hope not so far it’s been a great job done but I do have concerns about them
    Passing George than George changing stuff and than the books and show have similar beggingings all the great stuff in the middle ; and than different endings . I know they know the endings for charectors , I just want the book and show to feel the same at the end of the story and George basically telling us winds won’t be done untill after season 6 starts this will be a serious cause for concern , so far so good . It’s deffinatly way better than anything on tv , and if done right could be the best fantasy story of our generation .( Star Wars , lord of the rings ) George gotta keep on writing . Im a huge optimist for the show but it feels like if they only do 7 seasons , it won’t be enough to do the story the proper justice

  42. Stannis the Mannis: The show is for People magazine readers, the book is for book readers.

    Congratulations, this is one of the smuggest, most condescending things I’ve read in a while.

  43. Grand maester giz,

    Remember last year “Stoneheart” joke from Lena?This year NCW with “duck”.Another Lannister joke more likely.YG should’ve been there,but D&D have other ideas.

  44. Yivo: Congratulations, this is one of the smuggest, most condescending things I’ve read in a while.

    You’ve hit the nail on the head, Yivo. It is possible for people to like both show and books (and I can certainly say I have never read “People Magazine” – though there is a long running paper in the UK called “The Sunday People” that sometimes gets the nickname “The Sunday Peephole”). There are certain shows I dislike but I would never claim that liking my dislikes means that other people are stupid.

  45. Grand maester giz,

    I don’t think there has been any indication of Stoneheart appearing besides that one dream Bran had back in season 3, so they might of changed their minds about it since then. Plus, since Brienne is going North I don’t think she would be returning to the Riverlands for some reason. They could just be planning to have her hang some Freys and then include her TWOW plot, which would be nice, but I find it highly unlikely at this point.
  46. Geralt of Rivia,

    They write the scripts and do the casting for the following season at about the midway point of this season. Lena posted that what around episode 7 of last year . What if Jaime got his script showed it to cersei and boom she does that ? Now jaimes was before this years casting and seasons 6’s scripts so it’s a bit diffrent considering the timing

  47. Beacon:
    Lars,

    I know, isn’t it sad? She can’t even get perspective on her own character. I swear to R’hillor, this girl thinks she is in a Star Wars movie and at the end of Thrones, she’s going to be handing out the medals of honor a la Princess Leia smiling ear to ear with her dragons swirling around in the air. It’s like, Emilia, you have a potentially remarkable, flamboyant character on your hands. Don’t believe the hype about her. Play against the narrative and the fans will love you for it.

    Congratulations on missing my point completely. (I.e. mocking you and people like you who fail to see what she is doing in these interviews on purpose)

  48. Kezz,

    I could see Jon sending Sam away near the end of the season, and then the journey to the Citadel next season
  49. Kezz,

    Not necessarily. It’s possible Gilly only appears in interiors in Braavos (all the interiors are in Northern Ireland).

    John Bradley said Sam will run into an unexpected character and all I can think of is Arya (it can’t be Team Dragonstone since that wouldn’t be unexpected at this point). Also, there was a rumor/leak (not 100%, obviously) that Sam and Gilly have sex this season, and that just can’t happen in Castle Black.

  50. Grand maester giz,

    It’s just a guess.Here we go.

    They skipped whole Tyrion/Old&Young Griff storyline(according to leaks).It was ideal and they should’ve introduced him with already established character like in the books.They could introduce him with GC already in Stormlands in the last episode(they mentioned Golden Company twice in last season Stannis/Davos scene and Dany/Jorah) along with Vary’s speech,but I somehow doubt that.I thought that last season will end with certain Lady with phrase:She don’t speak…but she remembers.Guess what?Nothing.

    I think Trystane will take some aspects of his storyline and Dany the other as invading Targaryen.They speed up her storyline.At least YG/JonCon and Euron would be nice for season 6.Maybe I am wrong,but I rather remain sceptical about YG/LSH and Ironborns.

  51. GaiusB,

    Really great interview.

    Looking forward to Dorne, especially in the latter half. Hope they nail the ending with a “Fire and Blood” and/or “Grass” speech.

  52. Tyrion Pimpslap,

    Where else would be that tent scene.Wall?No Stannis has his own chamber at CB so no need for tent.One shoot with that horrific look in her eyes and other with Stannis and possibly Davos in the tent:I will risk everything.

    Maybe I am just a bit paranoid 😀 I don’t expect her to go with Stannis in the first place,but I guess it’s better than doing nothing at CB for few episodes.Maybe she will figured out that stuff about AAR prophecy and than return to CB at the beginning of the season 6 or last episode of season 5.

    I am intrigued by that Mel/Selyse scene from last season about Shireen,that Lord needs her.I guess she will use her to ressurect Jon or for something like that.Stannis/Shireen scene kinda confirms that.It just feels,that something bad is gonna happen to her or Stannis(likely Shireen)

  53. Tyrion Pimpslap: Tyrion is a strategist.

    Tyrion might state that he’s more of a tactician, actually…

    Geralt of Rivia: YG should’ve been there,but D&D have other ideas.

    It would be too soon for YG, unless they intended to greatly beef up that role. Otherwise, the show has never introduced characters before they are relevant, and the earliest that YG will be relevant to the larger plot and story will be Winter. Thus, Season 6 is the earliest YG was ever going to show up.

    And, no, next year will not be too late. There will be new secondary characters next year, and there is no reason why YG cannot be another of those secondary characters.

  54. Letícia,

    Are you serious? Do you think that everyone who’s read the books has automatically assumed R + L = J? Many people did get that Jon probably wasn’t Ned’s son, but that particular theory most people got from the Internet, whether they want to admit it or not.

    And there really is no need to insult anyone.

    Wimsey,

    More “rarely” than “never” (e.g. Roose Bolton, Hizdahr zo Loraq.)

    And, though your argument is always sound, the fact is that introducing someone so apparently crucial the second-to-last year of the show is kind of messy. He’ll come out of nowhere, especially on the show —essentially you’re changing the “game” just before the endgame, which doesn’t seem fair to the fans, who have been following the trajectory of characters for years. Suddenly this new contender shows up! If YG is going to be included at all, I’d rather they beefed up his role in season five to justify the inclusion, instead of introducing him in season six. Honestly, if he HAD to be in the story at all, I’d have loved for GRRM to introduce him earlier.

  55. Luka Nieto,

    I admit that! I KNEW that Ned was NOT part of the equation. I KNEW Snape was a good guy. But I got R+L = J off the internet. Ned was hiding a character that was important, and I trusted Ned. I think there’s some deliberate trolling going on…

  56. Veltigar,

    Its a little confuaing that they so openly talk about their theories, its like they trying to mock fans with their theories, hopefullY this does’nt mean. that rhis one popular theory is not true…

Comments are closed.