Michael McElhatton talks with Vulture about the Bolton family antics in the latest episode.
“It’s the Boltons at their psychologically cruelest,” says the actor. Despite the tension of the scene, he says that on the day they filmed, “There was a lot of giggling on set, though! It was tremendous fun to do because it was so black, so dark. It’s not about blood or slashing or cutting, but it’s just twisted and psychological.”
With Roose’s new wife Walda pregnant, there may be competition on the horizon for Ramsay, who was only recently named the legitimate heir.
As for the relationship between father and son, McElhatton says, “Obviously, it’s not going to be kisses and hugs, but who knows? I could kill him. He could kill me. You know? I actually don’t know the legality of inheritance in George R.R. Martin’s world. Maybe the child born in wedlock would have a greater claim. Either way, I don’t think it’s going to be good for the unborn child. Move Walda out to the summer house until the baby is born!”
Interestingly, he does think that Roose “pales” in comparison to Ramsay. Roose is “more the puppet master.”
He has a lot to say on the Boltons, and it’s a rare pleasure getting to hear from McElhatton so be sure to check out the rest of the interview at Vulture.
DeObia Oparei is the newest subject featured in Hunger‘s Game of Thrones Newbies Are Coming series. (Jessica Henwick and Toby Sebastian have done profiles recently as well.) The actor discusses fanbase pressure, how he was cast in the part, and the future of Areo Hotah.
I never feel, as an actor, like I need to try and please a fanbase or seek their approval; if they love it, that’s great. You can only hope that they will, you can’t try and cater your performance to what they want, that’s impossible to do. I’m not nervous, I think because the show is so successful. My experience has been so positive and healthy in a creative way. Working with Indira Varma, Alexander Siddig and David and Dan has been such an incredible experience.
But first he had to win the role, which involved sprinting to the audition after going first to the wrong location.
I’m 6”6 and 265 lbs so I sweat a lot. I get there, I walk in and I’m wearing a cut-off denim jacket that reveals my body, which I’d worn to make an impression. I walk in there, sweating, looking really scary – everyone in the waiting room is looking at me. However funnily enough, whoever was auditioning me that day thought that was exactly what they were looking for. It worked out.
As for the future of Areo Hotah, we’ll tuck his response under spoiler coding as it references the books. Click to uncover!
Oparei takes Hunger’s Game of Thrones quiz, handling himself pretty well when it comes to answering the questions.
Head over to Hunger to read more about Hotah’s relationship with Doran and about Oparei’s own background.
Lena Headey looks back at the last few episodes and at Cersei’s ambitions in a new interview with Access Hollywood.
Playing Cersei after the death of Tywin, Headey says that “There’s all sorts of madness going on and a sense of this newfound freedom bringing a bit of craziness and not really knowing where to run, but just f**king running because you can,” for her character. There is some interference though, in the form of Cersei’s uncle Kevan.
“I think she thinks he is a kind of weed, you know?” Lena says to AH. “I don’t think she holds much respect for him anyway. Obviously … there are others that call her that, that make her more infuriated, but I think to her, Kevan’s kind of like an irritating mosquito.”
And what does the queen mother really want? “I think she’d like to sit on the throne, herself, if that was possible. […] I think she just wants to be recognized for who she is. She’s never been seen for who she is, but she’s been seen as this kind of beautiful, spoilt queen, and I think she’s desperate to be seen for a smart, powerful woman and to make sure her remaining children don’t die.”
Iwan Rheon talks with Details about the newest episode, sharing his own thoughts on the Bolton family tensions this week.
“In the beginning, you’ve just got that one side of him,” Iwan says, “But now you’ve got the father coming in and you see that, oh, there’s a different dynamic here, and the stakes have shifted. Ramsay so wants Roose to acknowledge him as his son and to not be the bastard anymore. It’s really fascinating how being a young lord has changed him.”
Asked if we’re supposed to sympathize with Ramsay in the new episode, the actor says, “If he is being hurt, it’s important you see it, whether you sympathize with him or not. I guess it’s up to each individual viewer. Well, do you really feel sorry for him? He’s not got many redeeming features. It’s a bit of a shock for him, but I don’t know whether we’ll really be feeling sorry for him too much.”
Having Sansa as Ramsay’s intended, “Well, I don’t think it’s going to make people sympathize with Ramsay any more,” Rheon says. “If we had that one glimmer he has of hope . . . no. She’s in a very dangerous position.”
On Ramsay’s relationship with Myranda, he says,”She’s kind of got herself in now, that’s the problem. It’s quite dark. But maybe there’s an element that she’s trapped. It’s really horrible. If she bores him, he’ll kill her. It’s not like he’s madly in love with her or anything. It’s just sex. She’s nuts and she’s fun and she’s another pair of eyes in the castle. I don’t think he’s capable of loving or whatever, but he kind of likes her. He’d get rid of her if she was annoying him.”
Swing by Details to check out the full interview.
A bit revealing from Michael and Iwan! Love DeObia and I hope we see him more than just a passing word or glance.
I absolutely adore DeObia Oparei. He always comes across as so gracious, incredibly grateful, and a lot of fun. His gorgeous voice doesn’t hurt, either.
Oh, and I’d love to snag that coat he’s wearing!
(I’m sure someone else has responded by now, but just in case they haven’t…
Hodor!)
Loved the Michael McElhatton interview. He seems like an amiable guy, not at all like cold, calculating Roose. And he seems to have some knowledge of the books too!
Ramsay going to do some bad things to Sansa. Not looking forward to it but his comeuppance will be all that much better
Somehow i do not think we have had the shocking mid-season scene with theon and ramsay yet that alfie allen mentioned. My guess is it will be in unbowed unbent unbroken?
#LOVEBOLTONS
#HATEDORNEFILLER
Lol
I’ve got to admit if I saw Alfie and Iwan walk into a bar, enjoying each others company, I’d get a brief jolt of disbelief, hahaha
I’d love to see some Bolton bloopers where they all start giggling.
Now I soooo want to see a flashback of Roose bonding with his young son by taking him flaying for the first time and teaching him the rudiments – y’know, the Bolton equivalent of that first fishing or camping trip!
Lena Headey has given her character alot of thought. Interesting that she thinks Cersei’s viewpoint of Uncle Kevin is that he’s a ‘bit of a weed’ I imagine that means she regards him as something that strangles her enjoyment of ruling, but she can tear him out of her ‘power garden’ thus meaning she does fear him.
I truly hope they cast a “Randall Tarly” for next season.
I guess he could be replaced with Kevan taking that role, but since the show has not invested time in showing he has those qualities… I think we NEED a Randall to get a handle on the Andals! 😀
Pigeon,
Nymeria Warrior Queen,
I’m surprised we (The TV Audience) have spent so little time in Dorne this season. Must be some concentrated scenes coming up as we have little insight or knowledge into Doran and Areo’s characters. Shit! we haven’t even meet Trystane yet. lol
I really hope the “giggling” at Winterfell makes it into a gag reel at some stage.
Nymeria Warrior Queen,
I’d love to have Roose Bolton’s gambeson and gorget. The sexy chainmail would be nice too.
Freyjoy,
I think so too.
They kept saying Sansa will be a “player” this season, but from what i´ve seen so far its usual helples Sansa waiting for a rescue.
The main question is will our “player” be rescued by Brienne, Reek or the TNR washerwoman…
The fact that Manderlys, Umbers, Dustin … were all replaced by an old servant lady is cracking me up.
Boltons at their psychologically cruelest? C’mon. There’s Roose’s i-luv-u-cos-u-r-my-kid scene with Ramsay in S05E05 (which reminds me of Stannis’s i-luv-u-cos-u-r-my-kid scene with Shireen in SE0504). So, not Boltons at their psychologically cruelest, rather at their pathetic peak.
Oh, ‘n there’s Lena’s bullshit theory about Cersei: ‘I think she just wants to be recognized for who she is.’ Really? Jesus Fuck, does Lena really understand ‘her’ character that way? Cersei does not really want to be recognized 4 who she is, cos she is incestuous adulteress.
Hoyti Von Totiy,
Sansa is still a babe in the woods.
We see her as an incestuous adulteress, but Cersei does not view herself that way. Lena was referring to Cersei’s self-delusion. Cersei believes she’s incredibly smart and like her father, and thinks if she gained ultimate power everyone would finally recognize how great she is – when in reality she’s nothing but a fool. That’s the point.
Flora Linden,
This is how I saw it too. Cersei is incredibly delusional about herself. She wouldn’t set herself against Margaery so strongly if she was the least bit self-aware, since Margaery is her bread and butter right now.
Cersei’s main problem is that she has the pride of Tywin Lannister, with none of his cleverness. She wants to be seen as strong and clever, but is just an average person with average smartness (as Tywin told her previously).
Nessa,
Agreed… except… Did she not organised and succeed to undermine Ned’s plans after Roberts death???
I can’t imagine she had time to consult her father thru Raven and was smart enough to realise, get Ned to confess to treason and send him to the Wall to stop all out war with the North.
TV-Cersei seems dumber than Book-Cersei. Partly due to the medium itself, there is kind of a limit as to how complicated the web of plots she is spinning can be. Reading the book, you certainly felt as if some strand of her web was going to snap and entangle her, but it wasn’t clear how or when (the approaching end of the book was the biggest clue, really). On TV, her only real plot right now is the Sparrows, so of course they are going to be what bites her in the rear. Pretty much every unsullied review I read after the High Sparrow episode had this pegged. It’s really obvious, and makes TV-Cersei appear kind of stupid in my opinion. I am not sure if there is a good way to fix this given the constraints of TV and the related screen time budget, though.
Uknow0,
Cersei doesn’t see herself as an incestuous adulteress. She sees herself as strong and smart and under appreciated. She wants others to see her ad she sees herself. Of course, her self perception is completely whacked and why she isn’t looked at positively.
Chad Brick,
True! …most of my unsullied friends thinks Cersei an idiot for giving power to religious fanatics and sending them after sexual deviants. They think it’s the end of House Lannister and that Cersei will be burnt at the stake.
Here Be Dragons,
The show has mentioned Randyll Tarly by name on a pretty consistent basis going all the way back to Season 1. Obviously this is due in significant part to the fact that he’s Samwell’s father and his cruelty to his played a major role in shaping the way Sam carried himself in the early seasons. But the show has also made a point of mentioning his substantial military prowess, most notably in the most recent episode. Point being, for a character who we have never seen on screen, he’s been fairly well-established.
I think we will see him on the show at some point, possibly as soon as next season.
Alternatively, this most recent episode dropped hints that Sam may be going to Oldtown after all. If so, that place him (and presumably Gilly as well) in the Reach, a short horse ride from Horn Hill. I think it would be cool Sam had the opportunity to confront his father at least one before the series is over.
Chad Brick,
Oh come on man, book!Cersei is a raving megalomaniac. There isn’t a single subtle and/or smart bone in her body!
Jared,
I So want Sam to get some respect from his father, either by book or show. If they cast a Randall Tarly then I hope we get this!
I’m also the cynical buggar with a romantic core that wants to have Arya find Nymeria, for Jaime to die in Briennes arms, and for The Hound to kill his brother.
😉
Here Be Dragons,
To me Randyll Tarly is an even outwardly crueler Twyin. Twyin kept Tyrion around while Randyll threatened Sam away. And then how Randyll dealt with Brienne… No, I don’t think I’m going to enjoy Randyll Tarly very much but I’m excited that he might make it to screen! I do hope that he has to
.
Assuming that that’s the case and there aren’t more characters to be introduced, assuming also that Sansa isn’t voicing some of the northern rebellion stuff along with the old man in the inn that Brienne and Pod meet. And ..assuming that the northern rebellion plays as big a role in the story as you seem to be saying that it is.
Not the plot, but the story.
In terms of pure acting chops, you have to put the Bolton crew up there with Jorah, Tyrion, Cersie, Bronn, Stannis and Davos.
That’s what makes the Sand Snakes, Dany, Missandei and Greyworm so jarring. They just aren’t selling the roles.
very true but i must say Tyrion (Peter) is just drunk this season so he is kinda monotone to watch …
Hoyti Von Totiy,
That’s funny because that’s how I find your posts to be . Monotonous,not funny and most of all very annoying . At least Rygar had a charm in his trolling that you do not possess .
Hoyti Von Totiy,
Stannis the Mannis,
I totally agree! I am loving the Wall story this season, and am kinda sad that Stan’s crew has gone. I’m still giggling at the “fewer” comment 😀 I believe I’ve read some negative reactions, somewhere, to Rheon’s Ramsey – calling him a caricature, I think – but I’ve been blown away by the subtlety in his expressions and mannerisms.
Stannis the Mannis,
You seem to really hate non-white people.
DeObia Oparei: “Kill, kiss, marry”
– Kill: “Jaime Lannister
– Kiss: Sophie Turner.. .. .. .. .. ..
Say what? Isn’t she just 18 now and he’s seasoned to say the least?
lol Sophie said the same thing when she read the script. Her changes are subtle & who doesn’t love a maid in need of rescue?
I never liked his Ramsey because it seemed too campy, but if he played the character in the book, it would be very dark and maybe boring. Rheon is definitely better at playing Ramsey’s vulnerable side. I think he has even admitted as much. Can’t hate that really.
What does ‘campy’ mean? Also, Iwan being so good-looking helps with my opinion, too. 🙂
you snow nothing, It’s ridiculous and wacky without the appeal.
Prayer circle for Sansa
Turncloak,
She’ll be ok. She has a nail on the end of a chain wrapped around her neck.
Rygritte,
Hah! If Sansa comes out of this fun adventure unscathed, that would be a total fail. There are at least 4 near her that are capable of adhoc violence, and one that may be coerced to violate her. Yeah…happy endings ahead.
Turncloak,
I don’t get it – do people honestly think that she’s not going to pull one over completely on someone by the end of this season? If they really DO keep her this victimized helpless character, well…..THAT would be the shock.
She has been in every episode this season. Shit better get done, girl.
Hodor’s Bastard, I fear for Sansa’s maidenpool. I predict Ramsey will beat a song out of Myranda while Sansa bathes within earshot before the wedding. Reek will come in to alert Sansa it’s time. She will try to talk to him, but instead he’ll cry in a corner in his fancy clothes. Sansa will be bored af while Ramsey belts out a one hit wonder during the bedding as Reek & Myranda watch. The next day, Sansa will be suicidal and overhear
This will ignite Sansa’s survival instinct and a bitch might get stabbed.
Pigeon,
Also, what is Brienne looking at from outside the inn in the dead of winter? Stannis on the march? A candle in the wind?
Rygritte,
It could be the candle in the tower? But really, that’s one of those things that only can happen in fiction – a flicker from hundreds if not thousands of yards away in a storm? I’d need the entire tower on fire!
A direwolf would be lovely.
Pigeon,
Nymeria would reject Brienne, too.
Light the beacon, Sansa! Summon the Rohirrim!!
Hodor’s Bastard,
BURN ALL THE THINGS!!!
Whoa, details! Personally, I think Myranda will continue to escalate things with Sansa. We’ll see how Sansa’s survival instinct manifests itself. Fancy wordplay ain’t getting her out of this one.
Now that we’re seeing this scenario starting to play out, I have a macabre desire to see LF’s face and reaction as he realizes things have gone horribly wrong at KL and WF.
I wonder if Greatjon will make an appearance this season?
Oh_Man,
That would make up for everything. I loved that character, perhaps even to the point of it being unhealthy.
….aaaaaand my new favourite vocab word. Cheers!