Summary
AfterHouse of the Dragonrevived theGame of Thronesfranchise, Ramsay Bolton’s actor opens up about interactions with the show’s viewers. Having premiered in 2011, the show lasted eight seasons and told the story of a series of bloody civil wars in Westeros. The show featured many villains, including Walder Frey (David Bradley), Roose Bolton (Michael McElhatton), and King Joffrey Baratheon (Jack Gleeson). Few wereas terrifying as Ramsay (Iwan Rheon), who tormented the entireGame of Thronescast.
In an interview withCBR, Rheon addressed the widespread negative fan reaction to his character. Despite his hated character, Rheon believes thatmost viewers understood that he is not his character, which saved him from poor reactions. He does occasionally receive hate, but he describes it as “tongue in cheek” and believes that anyone who truly believed that he was Ramsay would simply avoid him. Check out his full explanation below:
People generally know that I’m an actor, I hope. Yeah, people go, “Yeah, I hate you, you b—-rd,” but it’s always a bit tongue in cheek. I don’t really get [any trouble]. But other people, maybe they don’t speak to me, because I suppose if you really thought I was the character, you wouldn’t come up to me and talk to me. Because you really don’t want to talk to someone like Ramsay Bolton. It’s a risky business.
Game Of Thrones Actors Have Faced Harassment
Rheon Avoided A Surprisingly Common Issue
While Iwan Rheon managed to avoid confrontations for playing Ramsay Bolton,otherGame of Thronesactorshave faced harassment for their parts in the show. Faye Marsay, who played Arya’s rival, the Waif, reported that she was driven off of social media after facing immense attacks for her role in the show. Marsay has since gone on to join the esteemedAndorcast as Vel Sartha, but she still remembers the backlash that she received for playing the villain.
Lena Headey,who played Cersei Lannister, also reported bizarre harassment. In an appearance onThe Late Late Showin 2016, Headey reported that she was hassled by a nurse after Cersei’s walk of atonement. After she attempted to breastfeed her child, the nurse attempted to help her release the milk, while repeating “Shame”. Headey described the incident in a humorous light, but it is undoubtedly an example of viewers taking show-related issues too far. In an appearance onCONANearly in the show’s run, she also reported thatviewers occasionally cursed at her for playing Cersei.
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Younger actors were also vilified for playing antagonistic roles in the show. Brenock O’Connor (Olly), who played a Night’s Watch recruit who betrayed Jon Snow and was eventually hung for his crimes, reported that he received death threats at 15 years old, and had to learn to accept the harassment as a mark of his own skill as an actor. Jack Gleeson is rumored to have left acting because of harassment, though he insists it was unrelated. Unlike his fellow cast members, Iwan Rheon miraculously avoided severe harassment after playing aGame of Thronesvillain.
Game Of Thrones
Cast
Based on George R. R. Martin’s ongoing A Song of Ice and Fire novel series, Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. It follows noble families like the Starks, Lannisters, and Targaryen vying for control of the Iron Throne while a rising threat from the undead looms in the North. The series received significant critical success and amassed a loyal fan base due to its high production values, sprawling sets, iconic characters, and shocking twists.
