... of HBO’s opening of the traveling exhibit in New York City (more details below), our intrepid reported Ameli captured some pictures of the cast who were present, as well as some of the exhibits (plus a great photo of herself on the Iron Throne—much better than the one I have, from when I visited the set!). And more than that, she had a chance to ask some of the cast members a few quick questions as they shuffled along the carpet. See their answers below!
John Bradley West
It’s a little warmer in here than in Iceland?
“It’s a little warmer anywhere than in Iceland!”
How was it to shoot in Iceland?
“It was cold, but I think that if you try to fake life, if you try to contrive a cold looking atmosphere, I think that would have looked too comfortable. It was nice to go over there and to have an empathy with the situation the characters are in.”
Have you read the books?
“I have read all of the books but deliberately missed out some Samwell chapters. I think that Sam, book Sam, is different to show Sam, so I think as the show develops they might decide certain aspects or events that happened to Sam in the books may not quite necessarily gel with my characterization of Sam in the show. So it wouldn’t pay to get too attached to it.”
Do you get different reactions from people who have read the books versus people who are just watching the show?
“One reaction I get is that people seem to find Sam quite annoying in the books. I think that’s a testament to George’s characterization as intimate. Because he doesn’t have the visual assistance to get that across, he has to be quite broad and quite bold in his characterization. Because we can visually portray things on the screen we can afford to be a little bit more textured with the characterization.”
One last question, if you had to have a trial by combat in Westeros, who would you choose to fight for you?
“Oh, so I have to pick a fighter to represent me?”
Yes. You can pick Sam if you want.
“No! I absolutely would not say Sam, because I would be placing myself in such a bad situation. Probably the Houndâ`¦ As long as there are no fires involved I would have to say the Hound is my man.”
Kit Harington
Did you read the books?
“Yes, I read the first four. I’m waiting with the fifth until I can see where things are going with the show.”
Do you have any thoughts or theories on the books that you can share with us, for instance on Jon’s parentage?
“Yes, I do have a theory on that. I think it’s quite a good one. But I don’t want to say what it is because I don’t want people to think it has more weight becauseâ`¦”
Because you are Jon Snow?
“Yes, exactly. But I can honestly say that I don’t know who his parents are.”
If you had to have a trial by combat in Westeros, who would you choose to fight for you?
“Bronn. I would pick Bronn. And Jaime, but…”
It’s ok. We have all read the books around here.
“Yes, Jaime with his hand. And probably Sandor, the Hound.”
Rose Leslie
Have you read the books?
“I have. I have read the books. Yes!”
Do you get different reactions from people who have read the books versus people who only watch the show?
“I get very paranoid on not giving away any spoilers to people who have just watched the show, because I feel like that would be such a worse way of hearing of something like a big event or a big twist in the tale. So I try to not give too much away, but if someone wants to know you do end up being like, if you really want to know you can always read the booksâ`¦”
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And then Rose was whisked away, and the recorder gave out! Ameli spoke with Maisie Williams briefly, who revealed that she had not read the books yet, but her parents had and had filled her in on some details; she hopes to read the novels when the TV show is done, so she can then see what happens to Arya there. As to Natalie Dormer’s choice of champion in a trial by combat? Margaery’s brother, Loras Tyrell, of course—she called him the best knight in all of Westeros.
The exhibit can be found at 3 West 57th Street, between 5th and 6th avenues. The exhibit will be open to, free of charge, to the public from Thursday March 28th to Wednesday, April 3rd. Weekdays: 10.00am to 8.00pm / Weekends: 11.00am to 7.00 pm / Easter Sunday: 10.00am to 4.00pm.