If you’ve never seen this popular epic hit series “Game of Thrones”, then you should endeavor to do so right after reading this article. George R.R. Martin and his co writers do have a way of capturing the hearts of people with unpredictable twists in the plot, although once in a while the suspense level is dropped to avoid high blood pressure for viewers. However, fans of this intriguing movie are usually excited when information about their favorite TV series is on the spot. The summarized data here are probably the ones you won’t be told while watching “Game of Thrones,” but will find very interesting all the same. Now, here are the things you did not know about this blockbuster HBO movie and its casts.
1. Eugene O’Neill’s Great Grand Daughter
29 year old Spanish actress, Oona Castilla Chaplin is the daughter of Geraldine Chaplin, granddaughter of English film star Charlie Chaplin and the great-granddaughter of American playwright Eugene O’Neill. The beautiful diva played Talisa Maegyr Stark, Rob Stark’s wife and though her character didn’t stay long in Westeros, she portrayed her role excellently during her short stay in the series.
2. Daenery’s Encounter With A Toilet Scene
During the sixth episode of season one titled “A Golden Crown”, there was a scene where Daenerys had to eat an entire horse heart. The actress was covered in fake blood, which is usually sticky and due to that Emilia who played the role got stuck on a toilet seat while she was on break. However, she was able to pull through and finish that scene which is seen as the most memorable ending to an episode in Game of Thrones.
3. Valyrian Steel Vs Damascus Steel
Valyrian steel is made of real steel known as Damascus steel and In the world of Westeros, Valyrian Steel is exceptionally sharp with distinctive patterns on its blade. It is also one of the few things that can kill White Walkers. Martin was inspired by real Damascus steel known to Europe in the 11th century. These swords are very piercing and could last over a long period of time. People who have seen the Damascus steel say it is very similar to Valyrian Steel.
4. Enemies On Screen, Friends In Real Life
Surprising, Cersei Lannister and her brother Tyrion do not always flow well, but the reverse is the case in real life. Played by Peter Dinklage and Lena Headey, these two Hollywood stars are a case to behold. Peter was actually the one who recommended Headley for the role of Cersei Lannister, but rather than stay compatible on set, they avoid eye contact with each other during serious scenes which is all an act as they are very close friends in reality.
5. From Hogwarts to Westeros
Bronson Webb (Will) played an unnamed Slytherin student in the third film; Natalia Tena (Osha) played Nymphadora Tonks; David Bradley (Lord Walder Frey) played Argus Filch; Julian Glover (Grand Maester Pycelle) voiced Aragog; Michelle Fairley (Catelyn Stark) played Mrs. Granger in the seventh film; Ciarán Hinds (Mance Rayder) played Aberforth Dumbledore; Ralph Ineson (Dagmer Cleftjaw) played Amycus Carrow; Edward Tudor-Pole (Protestor at King’s Landing) played Mr. Borgin and Ian Whyte (Gregor Clegane) played Madame Maxime in full-body shots.
6. Charles Dickens’ Great-great-great-grandson
Just in case you have forgotten, Charles Dickens is the author of Oliver Twist, and A Tale of Two Cities; and the guy who played Daenerys Targaryen’s lovely older brother Viserys, (Harry Charles) is his great-great-great grandson. Harry Charles Salusbury Lloyd is an English actor and is actually a descendant of the great English writer. Viserys may have been one of the most hated characters in the show’s history, but he played his part perfectly.
7. None Like Peter Dinklage
Peter Dinklage is one of HBO’ s hit fantasy series’ most outstanding actor. He is the famous black sheep of the Lannister family and was the first actor confirmed for the series. Aside from that, Peter was also George R.R. Martin, producers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss’ first and only choice for the role of Tyrion. This choice was clearly the right one, as Peter went on to win an Emmy Award as Best Supporting Actor for his role in Game of Thrones.
8. Baby Names Inspiration
In 2012, due to the uniqueness in the hard to pronounce name: Khaleesi, over 160 babies were legally named after Khaleesi. Although it is not a name but a Dothraki title referring to the wife of the khal, Khaleesi seemed to really grab people’s attention. Played by Emilia Clarke, Khaleesi has become one of the main characters in the plot.
9. The Only Americans
Even though Game of Thrones takes place in a fictional fantasy world, nearly 100% of the actors are British, Scottish or Irish. Only three main characters are actually American: Peter Dinklage (who plays Tyrion Lannister), Jason Momoa (who played Khal Drogo), and Pedro Pascal (who played Oberyn Martell aka “The Red Viper”). I bet you didn’t know Peter Dinklage was because of how well he pulls off a British accent.
10. The Khal of Baywatch
via thefashionisto.com
Actor Jason Mamoa played the infamous Khal Drogo in season one. Although his time on the show was rather short lived, he managed to quickly become a fan favorite. But before he made his way into Essos, he appeared as Jason Ioane in the action drama series Baywatch Hawaii. Mamoa actually lied on his resume to land that role, claiming his modeling experience involved work with Louis Vuitton and Gucci. This Hawaiian born actor/model may have been on the sandy beaches at one point in his career, but he will always be remembered as the daunting Khal who never lost a fight to all GoT fans.
11. Hadrian’s Wall
Hadrian’s wall was inspired by the famous military stone wall in the Roman province of Britannia, built in 122 AD during the reign of the emperor Hadrian. George R.R Martin found inspiration for Game of Thrones while visiting the historical landmark saying “I stood on Hadrian’s Wall and tried to imagine what it would be like to be a Roman soldier sent here from Italy or Antioch. To stand here, to gaze off into the distance, not knowing what might emerge from the forest”. Although the wall in the movie is quite bigger than the real one its a good adaptation of life.
12. The Moon Door
The infamous “Moon Door” is located in the High Hall of the Eyrie in the main audience chamber, where the lord sits upon his throne made of weirwood and in the center of the room; there’s a hatch built into the floor which people can fall through. The Moon Door looks like it drops those unlucky souls thousands of feet, far enough even that the person who was sent through is lost in sight. Yet in reality the Moon Door is only one meter deep with the addition of a green screen to create the allusion of a an unending fall.
13. Record Breaking Downloads
Having so much intrigue and suspense, Game of Thrones has grown over the years as one of the most watched shows in the history of television. Recent polls show that Game of Thrones is also the most pirated show in history, getting over 48 million downloads in 2014 and this number will only increase with each new season.
14. Sarah Connor x2
Coincidentally, the Game of Thrones actress Emilia Clark was cast as Sarah Connor in Terminator Genisys. Actress Lena Headey, who plays Cersei Lannister, has also played the tough sci-fi character in the short-lived Fox series Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. It seems both Game of Thrones actresses have a love for the action-packed sci-fi classic. Maybe someday one of the Game of Thrones cast members will replace Arnold as the Terminator.
15. Batman Cameos
Christopher Nolan’s 2005 Batman Begins holds two cameos, First is King Joffrey, the sadistic boy king played by actor Jack Gleeson who is also seen playing a poor young boy from the Narrows, who is saved by Batman. The second is a little more interesting; actor Richard Brake, who plays White Walker King, is actually the same guy who kills Batman’s parents in the 2005 film.
16. Sight Impaired Maester Aemon
Actor Peter Vaughan, who plays Maester Aemon may be slow moving, blind, and a little bitter at times, but he always gets his point across. Peter is a very skilled actor, but what you may not know is that he is actually blind in real life. So besides having to act in the frigid cold at the age of 92, he is also doing so without the luxury of sight. This is quite impressive and gives a whole new perspective on his talent.
17. Adopted Direwolf
In season one, each of the Stark children are given a direwolf to take care of. There were six in total: Ghost, Nymeria, Lady, Summer, Shaggydog, and Grey Wind. Each of the dogs were trained and used in different scenes throughout the season and actress Sophie Turner adopted her direwolf in real life.
18. Westeros DJ
Off set, the giant Hodor lives a totally different life. Aactor Kristian Nairn is actually a house DJ and went on a US tour called “Rave of Thrones” between October 10th and December 13th in 2014. It’s hard to picture Hodor up on stage standing behind his turntables with a pair of headphones on, but he’s clearly talented and knows how to keep a party going.
19. You Know Nothing Jon Snow
Jon Snow and Ygritte had a steamy cave scene that everyone loved but what you never knew is that they brought scripted love to reality. The “Game of Thrones” lovers started acting together from 2012 to 2014. They dated briefly from 2012 to 2013. Actors Kit Harington and Rose Leslie, both 27 years of age, seem to have rekindled their love for each other off set. We just hope Olly doesn’t show up on any of their dates.
20. How Will It All End?
George R.R Martin has been writing the Song of Ice and Fire series since 1991 and is still writing. He has finished five books in total and is working on the sixth. Because of the deep interrelation of the story lines and length of each book, it’s taken quite some time to figure out how all of this would end. The last book took Martin five years to write and age is no more on his side. Considering the bitter truth that he may pass on before finishing the story, Martin has told is co-writers, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss how he intends his story to end. The producers of the fantasy epic series already know the end but it remains a secret to viewers until it is shot and aired.
