Actor Mark Gatiss appeared this week at the Mumbai Film and Comic Con, featuring in a fan Q&A, and fielding questions from the audience. While the bulk of the hour-long session was dedicated to talk of his work on Sherlock and Doctor Who, Gatiss also touched upon his time on Game of Thrones as the Iron Bank representative, Tycho Nestoris.
SPOILERS below the cut!
Gatiss was unable to say much about the upcoming season, but did mention a few things of interest.
“I’ve just filmed another episode in Croatia. But obviously I can’t tell you anything because they would have me killed. That’s how it works,” the actor told the con-goers.
“I think Tycho Nestoris is from later in the books and they’ve brought him forward a bit. I think I go to the- do I go to the Wall?” The audience confirmed for him that Nestoris does go to the Wall eventually.
“Does that mean I go to Iceland? Very exciting! I don’t really know what’s planned. But I had dinner with Dan and David, the showrunners, and I pitched the idea that I should be the last character surviving in the whole series. Only because the bankers survive everything.”
Gatiss referred to a single episode in his remarks, and confirmed that Nestoris is not yet headed for the Wall. Fans had been speculating that the Wall storyline might be further along at the end of season 5, with Jon Snow reaching the end of his A Dance with Dragons chapters.
With Nestoris still in Braavos, will Jon’s season 5 arc finish earlier than estimated by many fans, leaving some ADWD material saved for season 6? Or will the banker’s trip to Westeros be cancelled altogether? It seems pointless to introduce Nestoris at all if he won’t be journeying to the Wall eventually, after we saw Stannis receive a loan from the Iron Bank.
The Game of Thrones discussion begins at 21:15 into the complete Q&A panel:
Jackoff123,
Why? They can’t mention the Wall to Unsullied readers and this was the only interesting part of his Q&A. I think that’s a perfect headline.
Dragonslayer,
Don’t worry about them. That’s the same banned tool who keeps trolling. Obviously I couldn’t mention the details in the title because of spoilers.
Doesn’t really make much sense… they can’t really delay Jon’s story because then the White Walkers would have literally done nothing for three seasons…… but I don’t see why they would introduce the Bank of Braavos and not have them strike a deal with the Lord Commander
I can only guess that the Iron Bank this year is more focussed on King’s Landing personnel and maybe just sends letters to Stannis
Of course it’s not like Jon needs to leave the Wall in debt for the NW to have a valid reason to assassinate him… and any effects the extra resources have could just be attributed to Stannis or plain written around to make sense… but still idk why you’d pass up on a chance to connect disparate storylines
I thought we saw pics of him with a certain envoy. Maybe I’m misremembering.
I think they are pushing back Jon storyline because Winds spoilers.
Direhound,
No, but that’s happening in Braavos, not Westeros. So the questions stand.
Why wouldn’t a certain brother of the Night’s Watch just stop in at the bank when he is in the area, it would give him something to do other than look for fire wood.
Direhound,
Yes we did . He said he filmed something in Croatia (hence the set-pics from Kastel Gomilica) for one episode but he does not get send to the wall.
It could simply be that they are postponing when Nestoris re-enters the plot. After all, they really cannot do some of this stuff until
MyDogsNameIsDaemon,
We didn’t have one sighting of Sam when they filmed the Braavos scenes in Croatia and we usually have a very good idea what’s going on in Croatia. Additionally Gattis said he only filmed one episode for season 5 and we know that’s a David Nutter episode (ep 9 or 10) and that would be a little late.
I am definitely of the opinion that Jon ends this season behind the books, just because he’s the furthest behind of everyone already, and probably has the most setup required to make his plot work. Also, there’s a logistical concern with MAJOR SPOILER
I think he won’t catch up to the books until the first two or three episodes of season 6.
I hope this means they may not be getting through all of Jon’s ADWD arc this season – there’s a lot of ground to cover with the remaining material from ASOS as well, there’s no need to rush it.
Dragonslayer,
While we saw a lot of what went on in Croatia via set pics and the like, we definitely didn’t see all of it. On the Braavos front alone we saw no set pictures of the two Street Toughs/bravos filming nor any of the Ship Insurance man, though we know they will be in s5. It’s also possible that there’s some sort of canal set in NI.
Its also possible that Arya’s story is set to become entangled with the Iron Bank next season.
Didn’t Davos and Stannis already convince the Bank to fund Stannis’ cause last season? If so, then
Forgot our other earlier piece of evidence that Jon isn’t fully catching up with the books this season: when the actor who’s playing Bowen Marsh listed episode 6 as his latest appearance in his CV.
Also, in one of James Hibberd’s articles at EW he referred to season 5 as covering most but not all of Feast/Dance, and he’s generally pretty correct on these things. And given what we know about what scenes everyone else is filming, Jon seems like one of the few characters who really has the potential to have much book plot still left at the end of the season.
Also, there’s been a lot of evidence that Hardhome is being blown up into a larger plot this season, which could further serve to slow Jon down.
Afeastfordances,
Going off the CV listing of directors isn’t the most reliable thing though. We’ve been burned on that before, probably in part because scenes get shifted around to different episodes after filming. It’s good to have extra confirmation.
I’m very interested to see what they’re doing with Hardhome, since there were very few leaks on the filming. Casting of actors doesn’t really tell us anything about the size of the scene- it could be all talk and little show, rather like the Fist of the First Men.
Afeastfordances,
Sue the Fury,
Anyhow, I think Aliser will do the stabbing-whilst-crying bit and that show Bowen will be a very small part.
Greenjones,
The other thing to keep in mind is that a “Greek chorus” will work more effectively on TV than what the book does. The “opposition” needs a spokesperson, but just visual continuity on the same sets of faces is the rest of what is needed.
could this be why sam goes to bravos? to meet with the bank? or it might just be a side task that he has to do while he’s there.
I’m really not surprised by this.
We know that
, so having Tycho go to the wall this season wouldn’t make much sense. I believe that the Iron Bank will require an assassin early on in WoW, especially after the speculation in the world book that the bank is associated with the FM, so Arya might have a mission from the bank by the end of the season. Maybe to off Tommen?
That’s true John Bradley was not spotted in Croatia , tho Natalie Dormer and Diana Rigg were reported spotted but no pics of them. Then there is still a big mystery about Ian Gelder -Kevan Lannister was not seen either, a kind of forgotten character.
Can someone please fill me in on the Hardhome stuff? Why are you so convinced it is in?
Most likely, since Davos and Stannis already met with the bank, his sojourn to the North has simply been omitted.
MyDogsNameIsDaemon,
Arya is a primary protagonist: her choices/actions/etc. are a big part of what creates the story. Reducing her to a pawn of a general group when she is supposed to be
would prevent her from contributing to the story. This also would be a very arbitrary deviation from the plot in the books. If anything like this happens, then it will be part of Cersei’s storyline (as
): she is the relevant protagonist here. The assassin need not be anybody with a name: he/she just has to be
.
That written, it is possible that we will get the Mercy chapter by the end of this season: but the key there is that it’s Mercy, not the Iron Bank, driving the action.
Well, some actual news finally!
I second those who say this further suggests that we won’t be seeing the whole Jon ADWD storyline this season. The whole Tycho-doing-Westeros could be cancelled, but most probably it is delayed, and not necessarily appearing at the same point in regard to the other events at the Wall and the North.
Wimsey,
Speaking of this, I just came to the following conclusion : Omg it’s almost season 6 meaning we’re getting to the end :O
Have always thought that she would not be a special assassin . Things about her relationship with the FM is odd. She has now done with the WoW excerpt four things that disqualified her as a FM… but some higher power wants her to do something special.
Will be disappointed if we don’t get daggers in the dark in the finale this season but I’ll be ok if they decide to move it to season 6. Just hope the other season 5 climaxes will deliver (Dany’s pit scene and Cersei’s walk)
Well, I suppose that is possible: until we read Winds, we won’t know! However,
davy,
I really doubt that they would leave one of the three “A” protagonists out of the narrative for that long! If FtW is put in Season 6, then the resolution will be like Bran’s fall: the fallen will be back within a couple of episodes, tops. (I suspect that said character will be up and back in action fairly early in Winter, after all: although the situation might be a bit chaotic!)
Glad they are keeping him in Braavos.
Boojam,
Actually, it is believed Ian Gelder, or rather someone that looked like Ian Gelder, was spotted alongside Anton Lesser (Qyburn) and Hafthór Júlíus Björnsson (The Mountain) during the filming of a particular scene outside of the Sept of Baelor. The person reporting this could not confirm that it was Gelder but they stated the person resembled him. If correct, it was either Gelder, or a stand-in for Gelder.
Click here for the exact wording.
Although you’re an imposter, I like your style.
Burp is exactly what I think about this underwhelming character so far in the show. People seemed to love this guy, however I felt he was outclassed by Cunningham and Dillane and made zero impact on me other than the fact that I was annoyed at Nina for casting a stetotypical looking banker.
I don’t buy it. Why introduce Bowen if not for the ides?
I don’t think we’re going to see the stabbing this season. I thing a good ending for the NW will be Jon + wildlings from Hardhome coming in through the wall.
That leaves an inconclusive Ice battle to lead into the ides in early season 6, Tycho to turn up and Sam get sent off towards the end of season 5.
Rygar,
Sorry, that was the same old troll swiping your new name. Mr. Haterofbookpurists is apparently just a hater in general. Impersonation of other people isn’t allowed here.
He’ll probably have scenes only in Braavos with Mace and Cia. And Jon can send Sam there to strike a deal with the bank, I mean if Sam leaves the Wall this season.
Yes, this is definitely more likely.
Bowen serves more purpose than that. The story this year is very political, and the several of the protagonists have to deal with different factions that oppose each other as well as the protagonist. On TV, they obviously will use a “chorus” approach rather than a bunch of particular names: but that is because faces on TV are equivalent to names in a book. Still, some will have names and even if (say) Ser Alistair is the “face” of this faction, there still need to be some “backup singers” to emphasize that it’s not just one man.
As for Jon’s plot line, people should keep in mind the parallels it has with (particularly) Daeny’s and (more abstractly) Tyrion’s. Those are the three big guns, and it might be nice to do the parallels in parallel. (Of course, that might also be overkill!)
Mine is the Furry,
Have been a lurker for ages now.. your comment cought my attention..
I like seeing the Iron Bank involved, and I don’t mind if they cut out some of Tycho’s other trips. I’m more wary of what this would mean for other storylines but I’m not convinced we can say much, since I’m sure they can work those plots around him.
Nice to hear from Mark Gatiss and have some news about S5!
Maybe you’re right, but assuming Marsh isn’t in after episode 6 as it suggests he isn’t, surely even a “backing singer” needs to be there for the main event, my guess is that’s reserved for season 6 and I’m not sold on Ser Alisser being a replacement Brutus either.
I was hoping Tycho was going to take on Noho Dimittis’ role in the show, so we had an episode early in the season where
Greenjones,
Yeah I wouldn’t be surprised if they shifted from Bowen Marcht o Ser Alliser Thorne, makes more sense TV wise as a rivalry is more fully etched in TV viewers minds
Wouldn’t be surprised also if Hardhome does indeed feature quite strongly, firstly for a big battle but to put the WW’s back in people’s minds in a big way since the end of a Eason 2 with the fist of first men
I had been thinking that Jon Snows stabbing accompanied by the ear splitting screeches of millions female fans lol would be the e9 moment (reckon that’ll be Daznaks Pit) but it does make sense to push it back to s6 to firstly give GRRM time to flesh out Winds Chapters but also as someone rightly pointed out above to prevent spoiler leaks about his presence on set, just have to look at how people are monitoring Michelle Fairley movements to get a sense of whether LS will make an appearance. Whether s5 or s6 the reaction compilation should be right up there with the red wedding, would make sense to have e2 or 3 of season 6, have people think he’s dead for about 5 episodes (over a month) and then resurrect him or whatever is going to happen in episode 7 or something
This is such a waste of talent, it’s like using Idris Elba for that minor Thor character.
Al Swearengen,
Gattis has a very full schedule, and that’s the most they could get from him. Last year in particular, he was heavily involved with Sherlock and Doctor Who’s 50th anniversary madness. So, they could get him for a small role or nothing at all.
heh, that is not close to what it would be for Harrington. Only hardcore fans are were worrying about whether Fairley might be returning. The general audience and the general entertainment media are not worried about it as they have no reason to think that she should be doing so.
Because Harrington is slowly becoming a star in his own right, and because this would be a cliffhanger rather than a done-deal, this would get the attention of the general entertainment media and much speculation from the general viewers.
The more we discuss this, the more I realize that this actually needs to be done early in a season in order to give the audience a couple of weeks of being unsure about the resolution. (I.e., climax of first episode, absent from 2nd episode, recovery in next one.) It cannot be much more than that: the character is too important to the story, and although we haven’t read WoW yet, I really doubt that he’ll be anything other than one of the three lead protagonists yet again. (Chances are very good that
). If the character is gone for more than a week, then they will have to get through 2 seasons of story lines in 1.5 seasons: and that would not flow well.
That’s too bad because it loses the Daeny parallel: but the alternative is to also include the resolution this year because a lot more than just hardcore book readers will be paying attention to what the actor is doing because of this. (It won’t quite be “Will JR live?” in magnitude, but it will be the same general effect.)
Interesting WW progression from S1 – S4
S1 – opening sequence, WWs/wights introduce us to their ominous ways
S2 – WWs in the adoption business; In ep10, 3 horn blasts, hint of an attack at the FotFM while Sam shits himself; he watches the WWs/wights pass him in slow motion
S3 – Devastation aftermath seen at the FotFM; Sam proves a WW can be killed (shattered) w/obsidian
S4 – Another baby adoption; WWs running a nursery up north
S5 – ?
Yeah, as shown in GoT (and in the books) the WWs are capable of disturbing stuff but it has been a slow rollout, focusing more on the sacrifice/adoption stuff as of late. S5 (via Hardhome) should be an opportunity to further their violent ambitions (which have been rather passive as of late).
Ongoing fan question: Where did the substantial, slow-moving WW/wight army go after the FotFM battle?
Ironborn,
I, for one, will be disappointed if “Ftw” is not the season-ender for the wall stuff. In fact, all threads should be quite exhilarating, but this one will rally the fandom. [And it is a mighty sword for D&D to wield in front of GRRM to encourage him to get TWoW done ahead of S6]
#StillHaveFaith
[although, admittedly, a draft of TWoW would need to be in D&D’s hands by Feb-April 2015 in order to script the details, finalize locations, start designing/building sets, etc….so screw it, they’re going to wing-it for S6] 🙁
#LosingFaith
However what bank does not try to get back it’s due?
The also shoot KL stuff in Croatia so no reason Mark Gatiss could not have met Lena for a shot take , even an out door scene as has been done for KL a lot.
Mark Gatiss is a very shrewd, intelligent guy who researchs things meticulously. I’d be surprised if he didn’t know exactly what has happened to his character book-wise up to this point. I sense he was playing with the audience a bit so would take everything he says with a pinch of salt.
Yeah Dave and Dan seemed kind of amazed that they got Gatiss , tho so far the show has attracted some of the finest ‘character’ actors available. And to think someone above complained about Gatiss, I guess they don’t know who he is.
There is another case where George’s Tycho Nestoris is not all that dimensional on the page , but Gatiss makes an interesting cool character.
I guess its been noticed, but like two of Dany’s dragons, Tycho’s name was not mentioned on the show in that scene. I guess that happens season 5. His two companions were not introduced either, non speaking roles, but wonder if one of them was supposed to be Noho Dimittis?
Certainly: but the issue is, should Tycho go to the Wall? In the books, that is partially the Bank getting an agent to cast down Cersei. (Silly bankers: they should pay more attention to prophecies!) In part it is also an investment: they put X amount of gold into Stannis, and he presumably will get them X+Y gold back later.
However, Stannis already has the Bank’s financial backing. So, they don’t need to find Stannis to basically hire him. That means B&W will have to find another angle for further involvement of the Bank. Cersei’s people seeking them out to try to make some kind of amends or something like that might be one way to do that. (It will be interesting to learn at who’s behest Mace is there.)
He also is a very busy guy! The exact details might have been eluding him, even if Gattis took the time to learn them earlier. The fact that he knows where the shooting for the Wall is tells us that Gattis already had been thinking about these things, however, and strongly suggests that he know what might happen.
Boojam,
I don’t think he was on most people’s radar until Sherlock. Being a massive ‘The League of Gentlemen’ fan I’ve enjoyed his work for aggggggges!
Tycho always interested me as a minor character not least because he seems confident enough to wander around the wartorn north with relatively little protection. With him seemingly being the representation of the Iron Bank in the show he has the potential to be quite an important and interesting character.
Wimsey,
Think he’d know not to drop any “spoilers” though. I think he’s being a bit playful with the fans.
TheTouchOfFrost,
He may be a smart guy but that doesn’t mean he’s meticuously researched everything for a show he isn’t writing. And he knew where Tycho was headed, the audience merely confirmed it. Plus it gels with what we already know of the Wall storyline casting and filming.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVyXBFq4okM&t=2m9s
Is that a new costume for Cersei for season 5?
Robert,
I dunno but the Jaime one’s new (or is at least a modified version of his training attire in 402 and 404).
Robert,
What has Sophie Turner done to her hair 🙁 I really don’t like this new trend but of course it’s her choice.
Dogcheese,
I don’t usually comment on people’s appearance, but I think she just has it clipped back, not much longer on one side than the other like Natalie Dormer in Hunger Games (or the Human League if you know your early 80s pop) if that’s what you mean?
Dogcheese,
If it’s for the show, then, no, it’s not her choice at all.
Valar Morghulis…all men must drink over-priced beer.
Got my Ommegang fix today.
That’s all…slow news day.
RhymesWithWeak,
slow
news
month…….
Make it a slow news couple of months.
I’m counting on this relative tightness of info to produce at least a few pleasant surprises when the time comes.
I think people love Gatiss more than the character. I had no issues with his portrayal, but it wasn’t the best thing about the scene either. Gatiss is a cool and talented guy though.
Love Gatiss so much, always did, he’s wonderful (as well as his work in/for Sherlock and Doctor Who)!
The more Mark Gatiss the better! 😀
Exactly my point.
Its another Burn Gurman situation. Some people give credit/accolades to the actor based on history/past performances as opposed to what’s being displayed.
Lulu’s Mum,
Yea at first I thought she had completely shaved that side of her head. I don’t think they would have that kind of hairstyle in GoT anyway.
Unless you get Darkstar’d of course.
Sue the Fury,
I think he would at least have looked into his character though so he knows full well that he visits the wall in the books! Folks are free to draw whatever conclusions they like but I’m taking it with a pinch of salt.
Waxfoot,
I wonder what folks would have thought of Gatiss as Tycho Nestoris if he had kept his purple hat?
“We who serve the Iron Bank face death full as often as you who serve the Iron Throne.”
— TN
Ah, but the fact that you think that he would have looked into his character does not necessarily determine that: 1) Gattis actually did do this, or that 2) Gattis remembers the details many months later. (One common mistake that hardcores like us make is to assume that other people remember this stuff as well as we do!)
Note that Gattis himself actually volunteers the information: but he also delivers it as if he does not trust his memory 100%. Gattis has been very busy since he accepted the role, after all. Gattis also obviously isn’t trying to not spoil things (or at least he’s not remembering to do that!): otherwise, he’d remember to state “I can’t say!” or something like that. (He used the “they’d kill me” line already, but something along those lines.) Again, that could be deliberate or just a memory lapse. (People often forget one thing while searching their memory for another thing: we are lousy multitasks!)
Not much, as they wouldn’t remember anything other than the Hat, and then a reminiscence about Dr. Seuss characters! 🙂
TheTouchOfFrost,
I think that actors read their script, film their stuff and then move on and that’s what he did. The show’s actors reiterate this point often. They don’t obsess as we do. He has a very small role on the show, obviously it’s nowhere near his involvement with Sherlock and Doctor Who. So he would’ve checked out Tycho’s deal ages ago and now he’s sitting at a convention in Mumbai and I don’t really expect him to have flawlessly memorized Tycho’s storyline from the books, especially since the show often changes that.
Wimsey,
Sue the Fury,
Personally, I think he’s being deliberately vague so as to avoid further questioning or to do exactly what we’re doing now and creating a little ripple of speculation amongst the fans. Not as if it’s a really big deal where his character might be anyway and with him being more focused on for Sherlock and Dr Who ( criminal no one asked more about The League of Gentlemen! :P) it was easier to move on. Perhaps he’s moved on and forgotton, perhaps it’s a deliberate ploy to deflect further questioning or generate some interest. I guess only the man himself will know!
TheTouchOfFrost,
I think that Sue makes a key point here:
That goes beyond just (most of) the actors: that applies to most of the viewers and readers. This actually comes up in a lot of other ways: for example, we hardcores often label things “obvious” that are far from obvious to the casual reader/viewer. Now, Gatiss can be a fanboy himself – he can spout Doctor Who trivia at levels of detail that should impress any geek – but most people can handle only a few obsessions in their lives at any one time!
(On a side-note, it would be interesting to see what Gattiss would do on the other end of the camera for Thrones: however, I don’t think that his style would mesh well with B&W’s.)
I don’t think obsessing and having a knowledge of his own character are quite the same thing! Unless he’s just one of these actors who doesn’t read ahead as it helps them with the role.
I think he could do some scenes well ( the Theon/Ramsay stuff and Bran beyond The Wall) but other stufff…who knows. I’d take him over Alex Graves 😛
TheTouchOfFrost,
Oddly, they actually become the same thing. Most people have to obsess about things to really remember them: our memories are built by thinking about something over and over again over an extended period of time. That is why, for example, people who major in biology remember Biology 101 material better when they graduate than when they took the course, whereas the non-majors who took the same course do not remember it any better than people who did not take the class.
What Gatiss would definelty know is that he liked what he saw when he saw it. The details might well be blurred by the Doctor Who, Sherlock, etc. stuff over which he has been obsessing.
(Even prolonged breaks can rob your memory: despite being an avid SoI&F poster in the late ’90’s, I had completely forgotten something as basic as who Jon’s mother probably is when the TV series started!)
I was doubtful they would do
I don’t think
I forget .. did they ever have him lift Alliser off the ground by his throat on the show ? Well, regardless…
Consequently, he really won’t be out of the action at all..
If TWoW does go this way , as I suspect, I don’t see how the show could resist putting it in. (TV loves badassery) And it would be another reason to delay Jon’s final ADWD scene until S06.