RULING with an IRON FIST

After playing knight loras tyrell in Game of Thrones, Finn Jones takes on the role of A superhero in An All new Action- packed marvel series

Finn Jones, an actor on the brink of big things thanks to the upcoming series Iron Fist, can’t quite put a finger on why he chose to pursue his craft as a living. “It’s never been a conscious decision,” the 28- year- old Brit said during a recent telephone call from Manhattan. “Acting was just something that I did,” he said. “I started doing it when I was a kid. Some things you’re driven to do and you don’t know why, and this is just one of those things to me.”

Jones isn’t arriving at Iron Fist as an unknown. He spent six seasons playing Loras Tyrell on Game of Thrones ( 20112016). He won’t be back, though — as fans of the showknow, Loras, his beloved sister Margaery ( Natalie Dormer) and others died when Cersei ( Lena Headey) outplayed everyone and incinerated them in a wildfire explosion. The actor called the show a game- changer.

“I was young when I started,” he said, “and I went through my 20s on the show, and I grew up a lot during that time. I think the real thing I took from that is the people I met and the friends I made.

“Obviously, the show is a hit as well, andeveryonewatchesit, fromproducers and casting directors to directors,” Jones added.

No doubt Game of Thrones paved the way for Jones to land the lead role in Iron Fist. Netflix will drop the entire 13episode first season today ( March 17), with the show following the streaming service’s previous Marvel- based superhero sagas, Jessica Jones, Daredevil and Luke Cage. Iron Fist will be followed later this year by The Defenders, an eightepisode team series featuring the heroes from all four shows joining forces.

Jones admitted t hat, prior t o becoming involved with the show, he “didn’t really know too much” about Iron Fist, created for Marvel Comics by

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