This Might Make You Miss Him: 'Game of Thrones' Actor on Finding Out His Character Was Going to Die
"The show is such a part of your life for so many years...it's a potent loss."
Littlefinger is finally dead on Game of Thrones, and the internet is extremely pleased about it. But you know who's not thrilled? Aidan Gillen, who's spent the past seven seasons playing Westeros' resident creep.
Arya killing little finger.Me:#GameOfThrones #GoT. pic.twitter.com/W1dRr4yxZgAugust 28, 2017
In a post-episode interview, Gillen talks about getting the "infamous" call from Game of Thrones producers: "[Showrunners Dan Weiss and David Benioff] never ring you up—maybe once in six years. I learned about that call from [Roose Bolton actor Michael McElhatton] when he told me about his call and he talked about how it made him feel. And I thought if I get that call—or rather when as this has got to happen sooner or later to a character like Littlefinger—I wondered how it would make me feel. You start to think about because the show is such a part of your life for so many years. What will your life will be like outside of it? It's a potent loss."
Gillen says he was "left a little bereft," and that being killed off "immediately makes you quantify the hugeness of what that experience has been over the last seven years, which has been massive."
On a more amusing note, GOT showrunners promised a "river of blood" for Littlefinger's death—which is definitely what the character got, dying in a pool of bright red liquid after his throat was slit by Arya.
"I said I thought Arya would deliver the blow. So it was as promised," he said. "My last day on the set wasn't that scene. [The execution] was the second scene I shot. I quite enjoyed doing things that way—shooting [Littlefinger's death] and then shooting what comes before. When you know what's coming you relax a little in the way you interact with the others. There's something else that seeps into your performance—a kind of serenity. But yeah, I did find it quite emotional [shooting the finale scene]. And I don't necessarily mean that I was sad, but it's an emotional moment for the character so I felt what he was feeling."
By the way, Gillen 100 percent got to keep his mockingbird pin: "I had already let them know I wanted it, and I cleverly worked it so I got two. There's one from my cloak and one from my tunic. So I got the large and the small size—one for me and one for my son."
RIP, Littlefinger. This sweet interview kind of makes us miss you.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Follow Marie Claire on Facebook for the latest celeb news, beauty tips, fascinating reads, livestream video, and more.
Mehera Bonner is a celebrity and entertainment news writer who enjoys Bravo and Antiques Roadshow with equal enthusiasm. She was previously entertainment editor at Marie Claire and has covered pop culture for over a decade.
-
During His Royal Tour in Australia, King Charles Reveals One Way He Won't Be Following in Prince Harry's Footsteps
"If I was a younger man."
By Kristin Contino Published
-
'Woman of the Hour' Adapts a Shocking True Crime Case About a Murderer on a Dating Show—Here Is What Really Happened
You'll be surprised by what's fact and what's fiction in the new Netflix movie directed by Anna Kendrick.
By Sadie Bell Published
-
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner Show Up Together at the Same Event as Jennifer Lopez
The friendly exes arrived together while J.Lo separately attended the community event.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
The Stars of the '2024 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show' Play 'How Well Do You Know Your Co-Star?'
Nothing gets you ready for the spotlight like Shania Twain.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
The 15 Best Cooking Shows of All Time and Where to Stream Them
Whether you consider yourself a whizz in the kitchen or not, these series are worth watching.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
The 100 Best Movies of All Time: The Ultimate Must-Watch Films
We consider these essential viewing.
By Quinci LeGardye Last updated
-
Here's How to Watch the 2024 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show
The runway spectacular is returning to New York, angel wings and all.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
'House of the Dragon' Season 3: Everything We Know
Here's everything that anticlimactic finale is building towards.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
What to Know About the 'House of the Dragon' Dragonseeds Hugh Hammer, Addam of Hull, and Ulf the White
We're breaking down the bastards with Valyrian blood—and how they could influence the future of the show.
By Quinci LeGardye Last updated
-
Did Aegon Die in 'House of the Dragon?' A Breakdown of Season 2 Episode 4
We're breaking down *that* death, including what happens in George R. R. Martin's 'Fire and Blood.'
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
What Happened in the 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 Premiere?
The 'Game of Thrones' prequel returned with one of the franchise's most brutal scenes ever.
By Quinci LeGardye Published