parting shots

THE Got cast on closure, controversy and What’s to come...

What do you picture the future holding for your characters?

ISAAC HEMPSTEAD-WRIGHT (Bran)

I mean, I can’t imagine [Bran’s] government being a barrel of laughs. I think it might be quite serious. And I guess, to all intents and purposes, Westeros is now a surveillance state, with Bran aware of everything that everyone is doing. MAISIE WILLIAMS (Arya) I’m sure [Arya’s] having a wonderful time, like Dora the Explorer, minus the bob. But maybe she’s had a bob cut; [the people] west of Westeros might like the bob, who knows?

JACOB ANDERSON (Grey Worm) I think he’s starting a new society, with a Wakanda kind of vibe, in another part of the world. People keep telling me he gets there and there’s poisonous butterflies! But I think he’s keeping his promise to Missandei, sitting on the beach, drinking Pina Coladas, protecting everyone [laughs]. JOHN BRADLEY (Samwell) One of the nice things about the final scene, when we leave [the Small Council] bickering among themselves, is that it sets up a more comic space, with Davos and Bronn butting heads and Sam trying to be the voice of reason. It basically turns into The Office.

Nikolaj, how do you feel about Jaime’s fate?

NIKOLAJ COSTER-WALDAU (Jaime)

I thought it was a great ending. I thought it was perfect for that character [to die] in the arms of Cersei. And the scene [later in the season] where Brienne fills in the blanks in the books was really beautiful. I think it showed her understanding and love of Jaime.

Reaction to the finale was somewhat divided…

NCW It was surprising, the level of… I mean, the absurdity of the online petition [to remake S8]. But every season we had huge controversies, from Ned Stark’s death to the Red Wedding. Every season! The show brought so many people together that [bringing it to an end] is going to piss you off not matter what. Because it’s the end. But if you hated the ending, if you loved it, it’s absolutely fine. Just don’t call people names.

CONLETH HILL (Varys) If it’s not the story you want, that doesn’t make it any less valid.

What was your favourite line from the whole series?

LIAM CUNNINGHAM (Davos) One of my favourite Davos lines is – put your fingers in your ears - ‘Nothing fucks you harder than time.’ I think that’s magnificent, and so true.

JA I know this is really obvious, but ‘Valar Morghulis’. All men must die. It kind of encapsulates the show in a really powerful way. And I think it sounds cool.

MW I’m going to selfishly choose one of my own lines: ‘Not today.’ I have nothing to add [laughs].

What will you miss most about your character?

JA I can be very restless, and I’m quite a panicky person. So to be this person who’s so in control of himself, so still and calm, that’s been a really powerful thing for me. Also, I’m going to miss the spear fights.

JB I’m going to miss charting [Sam’s] progress. When he first comes into it, he’s somebody’s who’s been told his entire life that’s he’s completely worthless, never going to achieve anything. And over the course of eight seasons, you see this process of realising just how much worth he has. He finishes up in a place where he’s valued and he’s not had to change anything about himself to [achieve that]. I’m going to miss that journey… give him another eight seasons, he could achieve literally anything he wants! ML