Casting news YES!! James Hibberd of Entertainment Weekly reports that Natalie Dormer will play Margaery Tyrell, the sister of Loras Tyrell. Natalie Dormer is an English actress best known for her work as Anne Boleyn in Showtime’s The Tudors.
Natalie Dormer, who memorably played the seductive and doomed Anne Boleyn on Showtime’s The Tudors, has been added to the fantasy drama’s regular cast.
Dormer will play Margaery Tyrell, a (minor spoiler alert) beautiful and shrewd young women from the influential House Tyrell.
Winter Is Coming: Wow. A great addition. I loved her in The Tudors. If this is the kind of name they can get for a relatively small role (this season at least), I’m really psyched to see who they get for Stannis and Melisandre. Welcome to the cast Natalie!
583 Comments
CASTING NEWS!!!
She has an impishness about her which I can see playing wonderfully off Cersei.
EleanorQuote Reply
Isn’t she a little old to be Margaery Tyrell?
YanQuote Reply
Whoa. Didn’t expect that, but I love Natalie from Tudors.
StaciaQuote Reply
Rufus Sewell for Stannis or no one at all, I say!
Never watched The Tudors but a lot of people seemed to like her in that role. I’m just happy casting news are coming out.
AlwynQuote Reply
A shockingly huge name for a role like Margaery Tyrell, unless GRRM plans on enlarging Margaery’s role in the story or D&D have simply decided to make Margaery a bigger player in the show.
SergioCQHQuote Reply
I loved her in Tudors, she was by far the best part of the show. I wanted her to play Melisandre, but I will totally take her for Margaery! I am super stoked about this :D
Tre SvatekQuote Reply
Yan,
Considering most characters were aged up, not really.
Darrell BrogdonQuote Reply
Intersting that she’s been added as a series regular (unless that sentence was purposely ambiguous). She’s important as a figure, but minor as a character who actually appears with regards to POV storytelling. As such, I demand a Pod!
John AsplerQuote Reply
Perhaps they’re casting her with later seasons already in mind, then? She plays a rather large role in Feast and should be from this point forward. She’ll be in two or three episodes in season 2 and more in season 3.
EnterilQuote Reply
I like. Never seen the actress before, but a quick imdb and youtube search leads me to definitely approve.
And her ageing-up makes sense in parallel with the other characters who are now older, not a problem for me at all.
EvilPicnicQuote Reply
I have so much faith in the castingpeople that I trust that they know what they’re doing. But damn I wish they picked a real kid like Sophie Turner, would that have been too ‘icky’ with the marrying of to Renly? She doesn’t have to do nude, but with HBO you never know of course.
And yeahaaaaaaaaa casting news!!
KnurkQuote Reply
I wonder if they might more heavily feature some actors in certain episodes – more like a guest star role rather than being a minor player who has 2 minutes per episode, the producers might instead convince bigger names (Natalie isn’t all that big of a name, but she’s familiar to the audience) to do GoT.
StaciaQuote Reply
I think that I may have to netflix some Tudors. . .
Sumiko KeayQuote Reply
Mmm…not sure what to think. I like Dormer, but she strikes me as a tad old for the part.
cheesecakeQuote Reply
How about that. More of a ‘named’ actress than I expected.
A bit older than I expected, but whatever.
Jordan HealeyQuote Reply
It’s not like she isn’t pretty and all. In her blond edition she’s perfect. But isn’t she a bit old? Even with aging her up? The other kids being aged up still were kept kids or late teens..This one is a woman grown, and judging from how she played Anne Boleyn, she can come out as quiet the sassy one too. I’m not holding my breath for her, though she might turn out just perfect..
Sesi KaragiannidouQuote Reply
she certainly looks cute and spunky, and looks like she could be the proper sister of the knight of flowers…
purplejillyQuote Reply
Darrell Brogdon,
But the actress is like almost 30! They actor who plays Loras, who if I’m not wrong is her elder brother, is like 23 in real life.
YanQuote Reply
I don’t hate it but…
AFFC Spoilers
She is going to be married to Tommen? There was an 8 year difference in the books, which is kinda creepy, but now its going to be closer to 20??
ingrinQuote Reply
Wow! Awesome choice, she was great in the Tudors!
LexQuote Reply
Wow, what a great casting. I absolutely loved her in Tudors, and I think she’ll be fantastic as Margaery Tyrell. For those worried about aging up/down, she has a bit of a willowy build and an impish (as noted above) personality that can make her appear much younger than she is, if the producers play to it. Either way, as an actress, she’s got great range – she’s a great fit for the role.
Bill WolfeQuote Reply
She’s pretty! Looks a little like a pixie. :)
I expected an unknown…is this breaking budget? There’s a lot more bigger roles to fill.
kerningQuote Reply
This casting makes sense for future seasons down the road. We’ll need a good actress to square off against Lena Headey.
SergioCQHQuote Reply
Yeah! Casting News!
Loved her in the Tudors but isn’t she a bit old to play Mlle. Tyrell?
Rory P.Quote Reply
Knurk,
Margaery’s not supposed to be a kid. She’s Robb’s age if not older, and we don’t even meet her until she’s well past flowering. She’s already older than Joffrey – this way it’ll just be stronger. It’s a purely political marriage. And she certainly qualifies as much younger than Cersei!
EleanorQuote Reply
Another great choice. Whoever is in charge of casting GoT has hit one home run after another.
John WQuote Reply
Oh god, here we go again. Margaery Tyrell’s age is… probably the least important thing in the series.
LexQuote Reply
WOW fantastic news, thrilled!
As superb as her work was on Tudors (esp the last few episodes as Anne, heartbreaking excellence) still holding out hope hope that eventually they may yet cast David O’Hara and Sam Neill or even Jeremy Northam who all were so excellent on that show and always do so well in period pieces. Great news, made my day~
ps really like the suggestion above of Rufus Sewell, another great actor!
sweetonsigmafilmsQuote Reply
Lol, it’s going to be awkward when she marries Tommen.
Looks great, though. And has a really seductive voice, from the interview I saw on YT.
JoohnsonQuote Reply
Hooray for casting news! Looks like another solid choice. She very much matches my mental image of Margery.
furreverQuote Reply
Eleanor,
jup, my initial reaction was thinking of her as 16. But now that I think of it she can totally look like a 20-year old and that’s in line with aging everyone up. And damn she is HOT!
KnurkQuote Reply
Miscellaneous thoughts on this casting:
Either Sean Bean must have cost a fortune or we have gotten a budget increase.
SergioCQHQuote Reply
A good day for EW! They also have our first images from THE HOBBIT!
LexQuote Reply
This! Haha…even Martin has admitted he prefers the age of the kids in the show, lamenting that each novel should have aged the kids a year, but not enough time passes between events.
kerningQuote Reply
wow, this is great news, i love Natalie. Would like her better as Melisandre but Margaery should do. Anyways i see her as a pretty big or established name for such a smallish part, maybe she gets more time later on? I can see D&D adding some nice scenes for her.
ptzQuote Reply
Fitting that the picture W-i-C used for her is one in a dress with flowers on it!
StarkgirlQuote Reply
OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG…..
YESS!!!!
Not only is she perfect for the role (and incredibly hot) but at this point I would have been excited for ANY casting news, including, say, Lark the Sisterman!
Josh ParkerQuote Reply
Seems like a perfect counterpoint to Cersei. Liking her already as Margaery (one of my favourite minor characters – if you can say that considering her increasing importance starting book 4 -).
JacutQuote Reply
BTW, I really like Natalie’s sexy crooked smile.
LexQuote Reply
Older than Margaery is in the books, but I don’t think that matters at all. I’m guessing she’ll be Loras’ older sister in the show (she looks older than Finn Jones) which doesn’t change anything really.
Arrogant BastardQuote Reply
Older than I pictured, but shouldn’t be too much of an issue.
Her marriages were never supposed to be age appropriate anyway. Plus it makes Cersi’s suspicions seem more likely in Feast.
ScottsdaleSamQuote Reply
Could someone update the Season Two cast page please to reflect the changes?
PTRQuote Reply
When someone suggested her elsewhere on the internets for Melisandre, I did a big “ewwwww, no!”, but for Margaery…yeah, Natalie Dormer of the memorable and impish smirk fits quite well.
JerelynQuote Reply
I loooove her for Margarey. I think she will do well.
KristenQuote Reply
So should we reverse engineer a casting clue for her just to pass the time?
Luke-WarmHandsQuote Reply
I was thinking the same thing. The age between Margaery and Loras isn’t a big deal. It would be a bigger deal if he were the first son, rather than the third. He’s still an extra son, she’s still an unwed daughter, it works for me. :)
MiraxQuote Reply
Lex,
I know, right? It makes my heart flip when she does that.
She also can cause orgasms with her voice alone.
Josh ParkerQuote Reply
Yes, Natalie is almost 30, but she can easily play early 20s, which is just about the right age when you factor in the general aging up they have done to all the characters. As for her being older than Finn, it wouldn’t really change anything if they made Margaery older than Loras in the show. I don’t think that they will since they look close enough in age that only hardcore fans like us who like to look up actor ages will even notice it. But they could.
Really folks, we should all have more faith in Nina Gold at this point. If a person doesn’t fit your mental image of a character, it doesn’t matter. What matters is they get good talent and Natalie certainly has that.
I really, really want to see who they get for Stannis and Melisandre now. The fact that Natalie took this role means this series is going to be highly sought after by actors. We should get some big names.
Winter Is ComingQuote Reply
I like the actress but she’s too old. How are we supposed to believe that she’s an innocent virgin in later seasons? Are they changing the character and the story?
Actually, I’m not that avert to changes in looks or age, or even the story a little bit, as long as they keep her as one of the few intelligent, politically aware women in the series. But her age can be really problematic. Hell, she’s supposed to marry Joffrey and then Tommen ><
raliaQuote Reply
I’m really excited about this, personally. I don’t think the age thing will be that big a deal and she’s a young looking thirty, if you ask me. Her natural charm and quirkiness will do something to make her seem younger, and she has the charisma for the role.
Margeary is one of the characters I’m really looking forward to learning more about in the rest of the books, because she seems like she’s about to become a major player.
Steve Hugh WestenraQuote Reply
ingrin,
Even assuming the character is a good few years younger than the actress (is she now Loras’ older sister?) that still means she’ll be (ASOS and AFFC spoilers)significantly older than Joffrey, let alone Tommen- but perhaps that’s the point, the marriages were never anything other than political, so age gaps don’t matter- and Tommen is too young to be anything other than married in name only, whatever the age of his bride.
These issues aside, she seems to be a good actress and hopefully we’ll love her as Margaery.
And most importantly, our first series 2 casting news!! :-D
ShinyteapotQuote Reply
Now bring on Stannis, Davos, Brienne, Mel, Jaqen, the Blackfish, Dolorous Edd, Roose Bolton, the Iron Men…I’ll stop now.
Josh ParkerQuote Reply
She really does have a Melisandre heartshaped face, now that I’m staring at her pictures for the last 15 minutes haha.
KnurkQuote Reply
Winter Is Coming,
This means we’re getting Robert Pattinson to play Stannis.
TastesLikeTheSeaQuote Reply
awesome!
Sir DayneQuote Reply
Alright, alright. You are an impatient bunch. I’m still trying to keep up with the reactions on Twitter and in the comments. Can you give me like, 15 minutes at least? ;)
Winter Is ComingQuote Reply
Lex,
Get out of here with your logical statements!
ChrisQuote Reply
Seriously. Are we complaining about age still after all this time? I see no problem her playing a character in her late teens/early 20′s.
Awesome. I think she will be fantastic. Glad to see her on the show.
fuelpaganQuote Reply
HER AGE DOESN’T MATTER… AT ALL.
If anything, it’ll be better this way.
In motherf#%$@ing Nina Gold we trust!
LexQuote Reply
Yay, casting news!
Like many others, I’m also interested in what this means for the other cast members. Maybe my thought of mostly unknowns was off…
paulgudeQuote Reply
Interesting that in The Tudors, Natalie Dormer played Anne Boleyn, an historical figure who was one of six women married to the same king. Now in Game of Thrones she will play Margery, a character who will eventually be married to three different kings. It would seem Dormer is destined to play characters that have either been in multiple royal marriages, or been married to people in multiple royal marriages.
furreverQuote Reply
Not everyone believes she’s an innocent virgin…
ScottsdaleSamQuote Reply
is James saying she is a series regular??????
Targaryen FanboyQuote Reply
Who cares how old she IS, what matters is how old she LOOKS or is made to look. Mila Kunis is almost 30 but she can easily play an 18 year old.
TastesLikeTheSeaQuote Reply
Josh Parker,
HAHAHA Dolorous Edd!!!! i dont know how i completely forgot about that character. i hope to hell they don’t cut him! hahahaha
Brian SmithQuote Reply
Lex,
calm down man, don’t let a few comments get in your way.
BTW, I loathe the Tyrells (except her awesome grandma). I’m probably one of the few who was wishing Cersei would get rid of the c*nt and her family in AFFC.
KnurkQuote Reply
The whole is she?/isn’t she? a virgin will be more intriguing now.
LexQuote Reply
fuelpagan,
I’m certainly not. I really don’t understand after the success of the first season why people are still quibbling.
People are making a mountain out a molehill with D&D’s takes on Cersei, Renly, Catelyn, Lysa, Shae, etc. but don’t seem to understand that a different interpretation doesn’t automatically equal bad, and plus, when we see what was done with Legend of the Seeker and True Blood, we got off easy!
Josh ParkerQuote Reply
ralia,
I would generally assume in this society that every unmarried highborn woman is a virgin. Too much to lose.
EleanorQuote Reply
Based on the pictures, I don’t see why she would have trouble playing an older teen or a woman in her 20′s. I haven’t watched the Tudors, but I think she’ll look great for the part! She also seems to have done well in her role on the Tudors based on the praise here, so I’m confident we’ll be in for a treat. I’m so excited for season 2!
StarkgirlQuote Reply
We’re supposed to be squicked out by her marriage to Tommen, so I think she’s perfect. Plus it’ll take the edge off the squick of the marriage of Tyrek Lannister to Esmerelda Heyford.
And the rumors about her and her handmaidens, and Cersei’s suspicions about her and Loras will be more believable, considering her previous role on the Tudors.
LossothQuote Reply
Meh, removing one word in one line of dialog solves this.
“Loras’ xxxyoungerxxxx sister.” And actually, it makes the question of her continuing virtue even funnier as the story progresses.
KGQuote Reply
She was my choice for Melisandre, but I’m happy she is in the show period. I have had the biggest girl crush on her since the Tudors.
Jessica C.Quote Reply
Kristen,
Heh, weirder than his parents …?? :)
LaurentQuote Reply
The biggest plus for me is that she’s a big name and that may mean more Tyrell screen time. I love the Tyrells. ^.^
raliaQuote Reply
One thing is that she is completely different than what I have in mind, too “exotic-looking” for my taste (and the shape of her head is a bit… erm.. weird for my taste).
But she is exactly 16 years older than Margaery was when she appeared in the book. She is supposed to be the in the same age-category as Sansa!
And yes, the marriage to Tommen will be weird, to say the least…
But maybe it’s intentional, we’ll find out, anyway… :)
FelagundQuote Reply
Could someone remind me of the AFFC storyline. What was it that Cersei was trying to “prove”? Was it 1) that she was sleeping with some other men (Kettleblack etc.) and thus was unfit to become Tommen’s wife? Or was it 2) that she was supposed to be a virgin, because the marriage with Renly was not consummated or something to that effect (the marriage with Joffrey too, obviously)?
Because if it is 1), then her age doesn’t matter. If it is 2), then i don’t know if a 29 year old would be believable. Of course, they can just drop 2) and just go with 1).
jimmyQuote Reply
Targaryen Fanboy,
I think that’s probably a misstatement. She makes one appearance in the novel, and I can’t imagine they’re expanding her role that dramatically. Even if they show her marriage to Renly that’s what, two, three episodes?
Josh ParkerQuote Reply
Josh Parker,
they might be!!!
Targaryen FanboyQuote Reply
Wow, awesome news, not only was she terrific in The Tudors but she’s also pretty much the hottest girl alive!
JeffQuote Reply
I’m guessing we will see a lot of scenes with LF in Highgarden next season, would be a very smart decision
KnurkQuote Reply
Wow, not the first character I thought would be anounced but I likey!
dizzy_34Quote Reply
Haha. I started watching The Tudors not long ago. I was thinking of her as Lyanna Stark and now she is in the show – This is so weird and cool at the same time. Great news!! Finally some casting news. Bring MOAR!!!!
JohnQuote Reply
They may fold Olenna Tyrell’s role into Margaery’s, justifying the big name.
LiorQuote Reply
Shinyteapot,
I actually agree completely, She looks to be excellent. .The age difference just stuck out at first(I was a big supporter of Michelle Fairley, and thought it was laughable how people felt she was too old, especially since no one seemed to flinch at Sean Bean’s age, even though he is older than she).
ingrinQuote Reply
Dare I hope this means an expanded role for the Tyrells/Renly alliance?
Sansa’s LemoncakesQuote Reply
Surprised that they got a relatively big name for a smallish role.
I have complete faith in the casting department after what they have done this past season, but I just hope they don’t break the bank getting name actors, and have to sacrifice the budget too much in other areas as a consequence.
Convivial EddQuote Reply
Winter Is Coming,
Is Nina Gold in charge of casting? I just wanna know so if I run into her I can give her a big Hodor hug…
John WQuote Reply
Great news. She was the best part about the Tudors, except maybe Sam Neill’s Wolsie. I’d bet they’re going to expand her part some since she’s barely in the second book. For example I’d guess she will be with Renly’s army when Catelyn meets up with them.
Avalanche3319Quote Reply
If GRRM came up with clues for this one, we would have figured it out in about 5 minutes, I bet.
MikeQuote Reply
Knurk,
I have no doubt that’s true but isn’t she at Renly’s camp during that time? Or does she go back home?
Josh ParkerQuote Reply
14 years older. And she also looks younger than she is.
sjweningsQuote Reply
Lex,
It won’t just be intriguing – it will be funny. Her getting betrothed to Tommen, should the show last that long, will be a great visual joke.
I think it’s great news, and has improved my hope for Liam Neeson as Qorin Halfhand by about 1000%.
Maxwell JamesQuote Reply
She’s an excellent actress and I really enjoyed her as Anne Boleyn in The Tudors.
However, the idea that Margeary Tyrell is still a “maid” is now laughable with the casting of Natalie Dormer. The actress is currenty 29 years old and will be in her early 30′s throughout most of the series.
While, yes, they have aged up the characters a little — it’s only a little. Joff was 13 in the books and is, perhaps 15 or 16 yrs old now with the age of majority in Westeros being commensurately increased from 16 to 18 yrs old. They also aged up Sansa a few years, so it was all good.
Margaery Tyrell, presented in the books as 16 yrs old when she marries Joff, will now be aged up to about 30? That’s not consistent symmetrical treatment of the age of the actors involved, and it’s not even close. So don’t suggest that D&D have done this before. They have not. They didn’t age up Ned and leave Catelyn at age 33. They didn’t age up Robb and not Jon Snow.
But they have aged up Margaery vastly older than Joff and Sansa. Hmm.
That isn’t the way I would have gone with the casting of Margaery Tyrell. I can only assume that what they saw in the auditions blew them away and was much better than the alternatives.
More importantly, I also assume that this is a calculated play to attract some of Showtime’s past Tudors audience, which, I suppose, is not a bad idea either. The demographics for GoT is certainly younger than Boardwalk Empire or — one suspects — The Borgias. I would guess that D&D would like to attract viewers from beyond the current demographic pool of viewers.
Still, yeah – she’s too old for Margaery Tyrell as presented in the books. We can only assume that they have decided to change the role of Margaery Tyrell on the series — and Dormer channeling a little bit of Anne Boleyn is something that D&D are shooting for.
It certainly is going to raise the stakes (and interest) of watching Margaery and Cersei scheme against one another down the line, so that’s a plus.
Steel_WindQuote Reply
Maxwell James,
LOL. He’d be great, but Natalie Dormer isn’t even on Sean Bean’s fame level, let alone Neeson’s, so this isn’t at all cause to hope for that.
Josh ParkerQuote Reply
She’s a little old for the role. But they have aged up a lot of characters. But I welcome her. She’s a good actress. She some resemblance to our Knight of Flowers.
I want either Christopher Eccleston or Mark Strong as Stannis!
I’m still curious on the exotic angle they may go with Melisandre!
WolfheartQuote Reply
Winter Is Coming,
This was the first thing that came to my mind seeing this fantastic news: that she was one of those “name actors” that were knocking on the show’s door.
IMHO The only thing that matters with her age is that we’ll lost the dynamic between Margaery and Sansa, two very similar characters on a first look (both beautiful, young daughters of great lords, destined to marrying agreeements), but very different on the inside, with a Margaery much more capable in the Game of Thrones.
In Nina Gold we trust!
CaedesQuote Reply
I want to see an interview with Nina Gold on the DVD extras. Seriously, the casting is so bloody impressive and I’m really curious to know more about the process.
LexQuote Reply
Well I was hoping for Imogene Poot but I can’t complain about this. A very nice choice.
Steven ScottQuote Reply
Winter Is Coming,
as long as they can act….I’m cool.
Poe to the PulpsQuote Reply
Whut? Have you seen the show?
sjweningsQuote Reply
Josh Parker,
Just to be clear, I would have put the odds of casting Liam Neeson in any role around a thousand to one prior to this announcement. So yes, the chances are still low.
Maxwell JamesQuote Reply
Protip: when people say they’ve aged up other characters, they’re not talking about the actors’ ages. No one in their right mind is thinking they’re aging Margaery up to 30; this actress could plausibly play someone in the early 20s, which would be an aging up of only about 4-5 years. Perfectly consistent with what they’ve done before. Try thinking critically before you go on a long rant.
EnterilQuote Reply
I love Margaery Tyrell so much, one of my favorite non POV characters. They can leave out every Tully and give her a big role.
Targaryen FanboyQuote Reply
I think your English comprehension needs some work. Try reading that again.
Steel_WindQuote Reply
Excellent casting. Loved her in the Tudors. I would suspect they’ll give her a larger role to play to use that spunkiness she has.
RobQuote Reply
She was my choice to play Mel but I’m just excited that she’s going to be on the show :)
Shadowcat85Quote Reply
I trust in the casting, but it does make me wonder where they are going with the character.
Some of you folks need to settle down. People are too quick to jump on those who question decisions made about the show.
cheesecakeQuote Reply
Steel_Wind,
It doesn’t. Effing. Matter.
At all.
LexQuote Reply
I did. Still seems wrong to me.
sjweningsQuote Reply
Caedes,
Is she more capable that Sansa? Been a while, but remembers that Sansa was in a better position ‘on the board’ than Margaery by end of AFFC. Sansa is the better survivor and is going to become the better player. Plus likes Littlefinger as a teacher than Queen of Thrones.
Poe to the PulpsQuote Reply
I’ve only watched fragments of The Tudors, but what I saw of Natalie Dormer was fantastic. (I was hoping for Sarah Bolger, another terrific Tudors alum, but In Nina We Trust.) I really hope the show dives into the relationship between Renly, Loras, and Margaery, which I imagine to be both fascinating and really rather twisted.
InkasrainQuote Reply
He’s trying to explain some awkward theory about how characters must be aged up in pairs. He’s trying to say Jon and Robb were BOTH aged up, Ned and Cat were BOTH aged up, but Margaery shouldn’t be aged up because Joff/Tommen are still quite young.
Yawn… who cares.
LexQuote Reply
This also confirms (as if we needed it) that they will be expanding the Renly/Loras storyline in the show. Which is good, because it will make Renly’s death that much more shocking and heartbreaking.
Maxwell JamesQuote Reply
Awesome!!! I love natalie!.
Will she be at Comic Con?
SuperdeluxeQuote Reply
Now that the surprise has worn off, I was thinking – what if Natalie Dormer is joining the cast and has a major role?
While it will be great to have an actress of Natalie’s caliber on the show, if Margaery has a larger role, then who gets cut?
Since Natalie is likely willing to do the sex scenes that HBO demands to have, then are we going to see less of Arya and Jon?
StaciaQuote Reply
Yeah well, I’ve never nitpicked before, I’m okay with most of the changes, but it REALLY disturbs me to have a 30 yold Margaery. I don’t doubt her acting skills at all, but it just doesn’t fit at all with most of her characteristics in the book. Oh well, might still works but it’s the first time I’ve been really disappointed in a casting choice. Her an innocent virgin ? I doubt it will be believable at all.
(Don’t go all high and mighty, I got it, most of you don’t think that her age matters at all, as most of the kids were aged (Joffrey and Tommen not so much though…). In my remembrance, Joffrey was only a little younger than Margaery, and he would have been an older sister to Tommen. But here she could be her mother, which really doesn’t do it for me.
Anyway, we’ll see :D
MicrochatonQuote Reply
Without putting too fine a point on it? Bullshit.
Natalie Dormer is going to be 31 years old at the time she marries Joff. She might pull off looking 25 – but not 21.
And is Joff suddenly going to be looking 23-25 yrs old at the same time? No. I didn’t think so.
“Perfectly consistent with what they’ve done before”
I rejoice to hear of it. As they have done it before – you won’t be troubled by providing me with the many examples of consistent actor casting / roles of this plainly discernible pattern in the past, right?
I await your recitation of the evidence.
Try thinking critically?
My critical thinking is just fine, thanks. Your honesty? That could use a little work, imo.
Steel_WindQuote Reply
He’s also ignoring that Joff was clearly aged up and that Natalie can plausibly still look 21-22, which is exactly the same amount of “aging up.” In other words, he’s just another one of the many to get all huffy and hissy about a whole bunch of nothing. Not really sure why; perhaps he thinks it makes him a bigger fan?
EnterilQuote Reply
Inkasrain,
Yeah my pick for Margaery was Sarah Bolger and Natalie for Mel. I’m very interested who is playing Mel now.
Shadowcat85Quote Reply
Lex,
Right, right. I missed the context there. The stuff i quoted was wrong by itself.
sjweningsQuote Reply
I <3 Natalie as Anne, but Margaery's supposed to be, like, 16?
RebeccaQuote Reply
Oh, this is cute. You think Joff is supposed to look 23-25 “at the same time?” Did you forget the part where Joff and Margaery are nearly 5 years apart in the book series, as well? As for not being able to look early 20s, well, you must be new to TV and film, because she can pull off 21-23 about ten times better than most actresses in their 30s have to (and they do all the time).
And yes, it is perfectly consistent. Everyone has been aged up approximately 3-5 years. Do I need to provide examples? No. You yourself have already done so by mentioning Robb and Jon. It’s the same with everyone else. No one has been aged up 15 years, and no one will be, no matter how much you think they are to fit your twisted little perception of them ruining the series.
EnterilQuote Reply
Her age in no way makes the question of her virginity laughable or that much different even. The only way a highborn woman can lose it without it being a scandal is through marriage and she’ll be married to same people as she did in the book. The only question would be why wasn’t she married to someone else when she was younger.
BloodQuote Reply
Oh, well met and deftly done!
I started watching this behind the scenes video where she talks about her role in The Tudors. I’m definitely with Lex on the crooked smile thing. *fanning self with both hands*
I’m also with Lex on the age doesn’t matter thing. Natalie can play 10 years in either direction easily. She’s so cute. Flawless complexion. Oh, boy. *fanning again*
I hope the series gets enough seasons to hear one of my favorite lines, which happens to be a Margery line:
“Will you make me call my gaolers and have you dragged away, you vile, scheming, evil bitch?”
AFFC: Cersei X
GoT casting does it again!
Mike ChairQuote Reply
While I know who she is I’ve never actually seen ND in anything (I don’t think) but the fact that they are getting someone as well known as her for Margaery means either the role is being expanded a great deal or we’ll be having even bigger names for Stannis, Davos and Mel.
MormegilQuote Reply
Yan,
I agree, that is a significant age-up. Definitely not, of an age, with Sansa. Granted, political marriages aren’t always of like aged people, but normally the male gets the young fertile woman, not the one old enough (in medieval times) to be his mother. We’ll see how this plays out.
Chris BeasleyQuote Reply
Man, I can’t wait for the biggies.
dizzy_34Quote Reply
Aren’t we supposed to doubt her virginity anyway?
sjweningsQuote Reply
Could someone with a good computer background make us a “Troll Button”? Then they wouldnt even have to think before they complain (not that they do anyway). It could just randomly generate some whiny phrase: too old, too fat, not hot enough, wrong time period architecture, etc.
Bottom line is we have a Margaery. And she looks nowhere NEAR 30 in any of the pictures I have looked at. I would have guessed early 20′s.
tekQuote Reply
Same here. Sarah Bolger was also great in the Tudors, and her age would be more appropiate for the character. But I’m happy with Dormer as well!
KateQuote Reply
“Oh my god! she is too old! This will never work. They have now ruined the show. Nina Gold is terrible! Margery is supposed to be a maid! I think I’m starting to froth at the mouth. TOO OLD! Nnnnevvvvver will woooork… The seizures are taking over my body… I must write out a multiple page argument about how the ages of characters are of paramount importance and any change would stretch our imaginations beyond the breaking point! Did I mention that she’s TOO OLD! oh no… I’m going into cardiac arrest. TOOOOOOO OLD!”
Sheesh! Not everything deserves to be a gate! Save your outrage for important things like the Targaryen eye color and that Renly’s haircut is wrong. Right? -sigh-
Howland ReedQuote Reply
She is PERFECT. anyone who can’t get past a minor age point is a moron. I’m thrilled with the casting.
Steve the PirateQuote Reply
Isn’t she a bit old for this part? I thought Margery and Sansa were close in age? Not sure how that is going to work unless there are major changes to the story line.
sleightedQuote Reply
With the age thing, it might actually add to Margaery being a veteran of political marriages. They could add a throwaway line that Margaery had been married at a young age to some decrepit old lord and already a widow, but that marriage was never consummated , when she married Renly. They could even do something like kill off her husband so they could marry her off again. But maybe that’s too Tudor-ish
StaciaQuote Reply
So, anyone who doesn’t like everything about the show is a troll now? That is ridiculous. People are going to have opinions – that doesn’t make them trolls just because you disagree with them.
cheesecakeQuote Reply
Yawn!!!
This is sillier than eyebrowgate.
Sansa’s being younger is important, because when she starts bleeding is important. Margaery’s age not so much. Her virginity is already in question. Lolly’s Stokeworth was a maid in her 30′s before the incident, wasn’t she?
fuelpaganQuote Reply
Can anyone recommend a few episodes of The Tudors that feature her in a major way?
Jaycel AdkinsQuote Reply
People complained that Addy didn’t look anything like Robert, that Geithin Anthony didn’t look anything like Renly (who was supposed to look like Robert in his prime), that Finn Jones was too skinny to be a knight, that Michelle Fairley was too old to be Catelyn, that Syrio wasn’t bald, etc., etc., etc.
People will complain, because everyone has their own image in their heads. It’s a little sad that people can’t let go of the story just enough to trust the TV show however it comes out, but by now, everyone here should expect the criticism. Just rest easy knowing that the critics will be likely eating their words next season and praising the actors (and will likely still be complaining about season 3 casting choices).
RoQuote Reply
While Natalie Dormer is a bit older than I pictured Margaery, I’m fine with it. Just call her Loras’s older sister and you have your answer there. This is a character whose age doesn’t seem too paramount to the story.
davebQuote Reply
Jaycel Adkins, the first two seasons feature her pretty heavily. I think her best work came in the latter part of the second season, in the stuff leading up to her arrest and beheading.
Winter Is ComingQuote Reply
Err…WHAT sex scenes? She’s not going to have any sex scenes. At least not if they go by what has been written so far.
DemeQuote Reply
It is somewhat uncommon in Hollywood where you have 21 year old characters in the movie played by the same aged or just slightly aged actors. It fairly common to have a 7-10 year age difference between actor/character.
I mean heck, Look at Sean Bean and Ned.
SuperdeluxeQuote Reply
Dormer was amazing in the Tudors. The scenes of and leading up to Anne Boleyn’s execution were incredibly acted and her performance had all sorts of wonderful subtle touches.
Not so worried about the age thing. She’ll be brilliant.
DamianQuote Reply
Winter Is Coming,
Oh! SPOILER ALERT!!!
Just kidding!
I’ll check it out. Something to fill up the time between now and the 12th.
Jaycel AdkinsQuote Reply
cheesecake,
No, if there was a valid point to be discussed, like say maybe, what are the pros and cons to removing the Blackfish from the series, I would have no problem with it. But the over the top “THIS ENDS ALL THAT IS GOOD WITH THIS SHOW” is a little ridiculous, juvenile, and unrealistic, dont you think?
tekQuote Reply
Jaycel Adkins,
Watch the Season 2 finale- she has a great monologue as Anne.
Shadowcat85Quote Reply
I loved Dormer’s performance in ‘Tudors’ and I do hope her casting as Maergary will mean the part of the Tyrell’s little princess will be expanded in the series (the Tyrells as a whole could get a bit more fleshing out).
She seems almost too big a name for the role, but I’m happy about this!
CausleyQuote Reply
Some of you folks need to settle down.
cheesecake,
Amen sis-, er, bro-, er . . . food person thingy.
AssuntaQuote Reply
They could add some scenes with Margaery trying to seduce Renly on their wedding night.
RoQuote Reply
I hope they cast a black, 50 year old woman for Melissandre. Not that i’d really want them too – just curious to see if a messageboard could literally explode.
sjweningsQuote Reply
Great casting choice!
For all the people complaining about her age, Sophie Turner is actually taller than Natalie Dormer – so the Sansa/Margaery relationship should remain the same.
MeteorologyQuote Reply
You people are nuts. “She’s too old…waaa!”
Season one should have put all your nitpicking to rest. I trust in HBO’s judgment and D&D’s adaptation.
She’s great for the role.
Matt KellyQuote Reply
Ro,
Perhaps Renly will borrow Loras’ helm and ask her to wear it during sex, as a fetish.
More Rice CooksQuote Reply
I actually don’t think her willingness to do sex scenes was much of a factor. They seem to be filling their sex quota (and then some) just with Ros, and now Shae. Though truth be told I’d much rather see a Natalie sex scene than one with Esme. I’ve seen enough of her to last a lifetime, something I never thought I’d say about a beautiful woman…
Besides, if they stay true to the character she shouldnt have any sex scenes. As has been discussed her “purity” is a plot point.
Avalanche3319Quote Reply
haha
Matt KellyQuote Reply
For what its worth… Stacey Dash was 28 years old when she appeared in Clueless acting as a 16 year old high school student.
She is now 45 and still looks no more than 30…
cane-cutterQuote Reply
Deme, HBO isn’t going cast Natalie Dormer and not have some sort of nudity involved.
Whether or not Margaery keeps her virginity, that’s a different question.
StaciaQuote Reply
Guess what people Peter Dinklage is older than NCW and Lena Headey… Gaaasp! The age thing is not that big of a deal.
dizzy_34Quote Reply
Ro,
Sure they could. But, I don’t see why they would. My opinion is based on the book, so they could change it around for the series, but it always seemed to me that the Tyrell family was tight…they all knew about Loras and Renly. Renly’s marriage was as much a cover for his relationship with Loras as political.
DemeQuote Reply
At least no one is claiming that she’s too ugly. The reaction to Michelle Fairley on this board was appalling. As much as I love this show, Michelle Fairley has proven to be one of my favorite casting choices. While Sean Bean has to deliver about one speed, Michelle has had to do 4 or 5 different emotional takes in a single episode.
If there is anything I’ve learned from this show is that if you cast according to appearance, you get yourself in trouble.
I have no doubt Natalie Dormer will make a perfect Margaery. Guess what, maybe Margaery is older in the show. Have you read the scripts? No. You have no idea what they plan for her.
Ser SkwisgaardQuote Reply
This might be way to far out there, but I wonder if they might try to combine Queen of Thorns and Margaery? I think this could actually work well, since every scene the QoT is in, Margaery is in, and even QoT’s motherly attitude toward Sansa could be adopted by Margaery pretty easily. It’d probably be a fairly simple combination.
Then again, QoT doesn’t appear in this season, does she :P
darksofaQuote Reply
So now the casting announcements have begun. Wonder if we’ll get characters like Halfhand, Balon, Jojen and Meera pretty soon. George did say a lot of roles had already been filled. Stannis and Davos are floating out there somewhere.
Age gate will be closed I guess when we actually see Natalie in the role.
Julian WalkerQuote Reply
Really? I’m 19, and I’ve heard of Natalie Dormer, but I’d never heard of Sean Bean (although I knew him by face) before he was cast as Ned. I imagine most of my age group are the same.
TaTaQuote Reply
She can act, looks gorgeous and can really pull of a smug face.
Her age is somewhat problematic…but I guess they will just drop the whole virgin storyline. It’s not that important in itself if you think about it. They can just replace it with Cercei being ‘crazy’ about something else. Heck even suspecting Margaery of infidelity might do the trick. They could even keep most of the “virgin” plot-line.
SiggisQuote Reply
Who said Michelle Fairley was ugly?!?! Thats some bull!! She’s not the best looking women in the world but for a woman in her 40s or 50s, she’s a looker. I tell ya, if I were Robb Stark, I’d be lookin’ twice at Mamma Stark.
Just saying….
Julian WalkerQuote Reply
Guess we’ll see. If they have any sort of sex scenes with her I’d bet it’ll be girl-on-girl with her “bedmaids”. But, consider the *CHARACTER* I doubt that her nude or having sex is a consideration.
DemeQuote Reply
FUCK YEAH
Ah, I remember when loads of people hated the Mark Addy casting at first before they’d had a chance to see him as Robert. In Nina Gold we trust. Give her a chance. If she was cast it means she gave a kickass audition, which is all I care about.
Gytha OggQuote Reply
Just browsing the internet and I’m seeing a few people saying things like, ” I have to check this show out now” and ” Need to get into Game of Thrones”
Jessica C.Quote Reply
tek,
I don’t recall anyone saying Dormer’s casting is ruining the show. You are exaggerating. In fact, a few of us said we like Natalie Dormer. She just isn’t close to the character’s age, even aging up 4-5 years like the other younger members of the cast.
I think she’ll do fine job, but I do think her casting means they are probably making some decent changes to the character in general (expanding likely) if Dormer is how they are envisioning this character. And that doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing.
So let people vent. If anything, it brings up discussion as to what may be in store for season two.
cheesecakeQuote Reply
Seriously, all these comments are so silly. Are you going by how old she actually is, or going by how old she LOOKS. She easily under 18 by looks alone.
If she had her age said as 16, no one would be questioning it.
GinnyQuote Reply
cane-cutter
Stacy Dash is friggin’ hot for her age!!!
:D
Julian WalkerQuote Reply
Shadowcat85,
Thank you! Exciting day.
Jaycel AdkinsQuote Reply
Yeah she’ll be 30 by the time season 2 comes out.
Yan,
the GullQuote Reply
ASOS BIG Spoiler:
Margaery is much more cunning than she looks. She’d had a magnificent teacher on her grandmother. F.ex: do you remember the chapter when they made Sansa confess about Joffrey’s real character?.
They KILLED Joff and nobody noticed!!!
CaedesQuote Reply
I don’t remember anyone saying that about Fairley. Some age complaints and “not as goodlooking as i wished”, but thats it.
sjweningsQuote Reply
The only problem I see with that…is that the whole “virginity” thing hasn’t been finished up in the books that have been published (so far!). It might not be a big deal, but until we *know* she doesn’t need to be a virgin, I’d hate to have them change it in the series. Does that make sense?
DemeQuote Reply
http://fungossip.com/2011/06/07/biography-for-natalie-dormer/
hmmm…Think it’ll be alright. She looks fine for the role.
patryn0Quote Reply
Julian Walker,
Oh you must not have been around for that gate. There were tons of people suggesting that and some that still do. Quite the controversy.
dizzy_34Quote Reply
sjwenings,
I think Whoopi Goldberg would be an excellent Mel.
CuchulainQuote Reply
Winter Is Coming,
Fantastic news! She is quite a big name to play Margaery Tyrell, they are nailing it!
Iker GernikaQuote Reply
Oh and just for the people with the age problem, Sean Bean is in his fifties and Ned is supposed to be mid to late thirties and that worked out well.
the GullQuote Reply
So… Am I the only one who’s pushing for a new scene featuring a threesome Loras+Margaery+Renly?
KateQuote Reply
Brilliant idea! I like Olenna, but there is no need for her, just her role. This way age would be less relevant and her actions believable all round.
dimensionallytQuote Reply
Stop talk about the actor age please….. we want all the books traslate in the tv show ot not ? If yes the age dont is important…ot when we have the 5th ot 6th season the autors need change as actors also Arya, Bran, Sansa and more others and, i think, 90% of the people here unlike this idea….
BairanaxQuote Reply
Ro,
Well it’s implied the she knows about Renly and Loras, so I don’t think that will happen.
Michael SilvaQuote Reply
Enough of this Age Gate!! Where’s my Jojen and Meera casting???!!?!!
Julian WalkerQuote Reply
Wait so since this is our first cast member for season 2, are we gonna more throughout the rest of the week or are we gonna see more next week and the following weeks to come?
Julian WalkerQuote Reply
ralia,
Haha thats part of the story… is she or isnt she?
Btw my eyes widened when i saw the front page with natalie on it, loved her since Casanova :D
Damryn of DorneQuote Reply
I haven’t seen the Tudors, but honestly, in that picture, she looks to me like she could play a 19 or 20 year old pretty easily. She looks VERY young for her age.
Dressed in GoT period garb, and put next to Sansa, I think you would be able to say they are very close in age, with Margery being slightly older.
My other thought is that perhaps GRRM has filled them in on some future happenings for Margery, and they decided to go with an older actress to begin with, due to the intensity or whatever might be coming in the future.
purplejillyQuote Reply
Given the number of scenes she has opposite Lena Heady and Sophie Turner, I don’t really consider her a minor character in terms of screen time for the seasons she is in.
The age thing doesn’t bother me and she makes a better blonde than cersei.
Shock MeQuote Reply
I have not seen the Tudors, don’t know her and I’ve just seen one video-interview with her about the Tudors.
I don’t care about her age (she doesn’t look 30 at all).
But I’m slightly worried by comments who wanted her as Melisandre and say she was hot and seductive on the Tudors. Her eyes and demeanor WERE kind of sexy in that interview…..sooo either I have read her character wrong in the books or Natalie is actually able to act innocent, but smart, or I just don’t agree with the casting.
At the moment I’m doubting my picture of Margaery a little bit. At first glance I thought of her beeing like Sansa: pretty and polite. But she had a better mentor in the queen of thorns and therefore isn’t as naive and is smarter at playing the game….with her playing Margaery , having those sparkling devil’s eyes (;-) )I think I could agree with Cersei and her suspicions better…., well, I’ll refrain from any judgement before I have seen her on the show….I guess It’ll turn out to be a very good casting anyway. :-)
SchlafmohnQuote Reply
Great addition!
Justin WalshQuote Reply
sjwenings,
I remember a whole lot of people here and at other places saying she was ugly, too old, etc. There was lots of disappointment with the re-casting. Of course, she turned out to be amazing.
More Rice CooksQuote Reply
Fantastic choice. She has just the right range to play that character – her facial structure even matches pretty closely what I’ve always had in my head for Margaery!
ChantalQuote Reply
Ha! How about Grace Jones?
Mike ChairQuote Reply
I would put good money on this happening. People basically call this show Game of Incest anyway.
Ser SkwisgaardQuote Reply
Seems like nice casting to me. Age difference doesn’t matter two shits.
Regarding the suggestion of Rufus Sewell for Stannis… sounds like a plan to me. However, following the “George-makes-a-mistake-and-sends-WIC.net-into-paroxysms-of-casting-rumours I have been unable to get Colin Firth out of my mind for Stannis (it was briefly suggested as a link in that made up book cover). I know, I know… it will never happen but how perfect would he be?
RamahQuote Reply
I don’t think this necessarily means they’ll expand Renly’s roll – or make a bunch of stuff up for his part. They do plan to introduce the character of Margaery during the season, so they obviously needed to cast someone. Of course they aren’t willingly going to cast someone for a roll that’s smaller to begin with and then recast someone else as the roll grows.
We must not forget that the child actors will change quite a bit by the time season 3, 4, and on come around, if they do. The youngest especially. They’re all already nearly a year older than they were at the beginning of season one filming. Filming for a hopeful season 4 is two years away. Two years can cause quite a change in look for kids. Think of how different the kids looked between films of Harry Potter…
ClobQuote Reply
Wow, she’s old enough to be my grandma.
Or maybe my grandma’s grandma!
….
Matt C. DerQuote Reply
Well, if so, i think that was mostly for the pics we saw early on from a movie in which she was made up to look older and… grittier than she really was.
She’s really pretty btw. Just felt like mentioning it.
sjweningsQuote Reply
Eleanor,
Her “flowering?” Christ, I just cringed at that. That has to be the worst expression of all time. I hope GRRM stops using it.
MrGigglesQuote Reply
Did I forget about the part where Margaery is five years older than Joff in the book? Yes, I did. For the very good reason that she isn’t five years older than he is in the book. You conveniently recall her being that, because it makes your arithmetic work better.
Margaery Tyrell is not “3-5″ years older than Joff. She’s 16, he’s 13. That’s three. We don’t have to debate arithmetic do we?
To 16 you now add “5″ instead of “3″ and that gets you to 21. Then you say the actress who will be (at the time Joff’s wedding is filmed) will be 31 yrs of age will LOOK like she’s 21 (based upon “I typed it on the Internet and therefore it must be true”)….
And suddenly 31(TV) = is 16 (Book) and it’s all perfectly consistent.
No, it isn’t. Not even if you really, really want it to be.
If you (and anybody else) had bothered to read THE REST of my initial post, it conceded that:
1 – I enjoyed Dormer on the Tudors and she is an excellent Actress;
2 – She probably WOWED them at the audtions and stood head and shoulders ahead of the other audition tapes;
3- She is a known commodity and romantic actress in a constume drama that will take off her clothes if asked to do so, and will appeal to a demographic/fan base (those who watched The Tudors) that HBO would, reasonably, like to appeal to; and
4 – They are obviously going to make TV Margaery different from “Book Margaery”. In this sense, D&D have cast “TV Shae” in a way that is clearly NOT “Book Shae”.
Is that a disaster? No, not necessarily. And no, the sky is not falling.
But to post in a manner that insists that 31 = (16+3) as you try to jam a square peg in a round hole is plainly being dishonest and disengenuous.
Disaster? No. Different? Yes.
Steel_WindQuote Reply
Wow, this is very weird because in some ways Margaery is modeled after Anne Boleyn I think. She gets arrested for adultury, for one. Speculation about her brother and her (via Cersei). Very good at playing the innocent, but with a real understanding of her own power underneath the surface.
Kind of a waste, though! After all, we’ll probably never see her naked.
userjQuote Reply
I think she’ll make a great Margaery! I don’t think her age matters; Marg should be aged up to her late teens/early twenties, and Natalie looks young. With makeup, they can make her look even younger if they want. It would hardly be the first time an actor in their late twenties played a teenager. I mean, look at Glee. On of those actors is the same age as Natalie, and he’s supposed to be in high school.
As for nudity, I could there being a nude scene with her and Renly on their wedding night that ends before they do anything, leaving it ambiguous as to whether or not they really had sex.
draciaveilQuote Reply
Mike Chair,
HAHAHAHA!!!!
I was not expecting that pic LOL
Matt C. DerQuote Reply
damn people are getting all snarky now lol :D
Damryn of DorneQuote Reply
Uhhhh….
Isn’t she a little too expensive for a role that will only appear in one episode. If they stay close to the book, then she’ll have two or three lines at the most. If they don’t, then that will mean that there will be even more Renly and Loras superfluity.
nattyQuote Reply
I wonder if they will have her go blonde to match Loras, or keep her natural coloring (which is more similar to the book description).
userjQuote Reply
In Nina Gold we trust! I haven’t seen Natalie in anything, but I will be seeing her in Captain America this summer :) I think she very much looks the part, and she looks younger than her 29 years (I am about the same age, and I still get carded for alcohol!).
The age thing is no problem – it doesn’t affect anything in the books as long as she looks 20-something. There is no reason to say that because she is older she is less likely to be a virgin, or less of a match for Joffrey. Noblewomen would have been expected to remain virgins, or at least be good at pretending on their wedding night. Her virginity or lack there of is a plot point as well, so it’s perfectly reasonable that the audience would be left wondering too (as us book readers have been!).
MelarraQuote Reply
userj,
Well, after what we’ve seen of her brother, you can’t be sure…
AilvaraQuote Reply
haha yes, Sjwenings you should really look that casting thread up. A dark day for WiC-commenters, really horrendous comments can be read there.
BTW, there are more complaints about people that are complaining about the agedifference than there are actual complaints about the agedifference (sorry for the strange sentence). So a few people think she’s too old, nobody is going all crazy about it or is being insulting. Some people are too easily riled up for nothing.
KnurkQuote Reply
I personally don’t think she is or would be (too expensive/too big). For one, random people that never watched Tudors have probably never even heard of her. Even though I did watch a couple seasons of that series, had you shown me a picture of her I wouldn’t have been able to tell you her name. She’s not like Sean Bean, Lena Headey… heck, more people can probably pick out James Cosmo before her. Two, casting her doesn’t mean they have to use her or lose money. Contracts spell out specifics. Again, her role can remain small in season 2, but they needed to cast her and they certainly want to cast the best they can for parts that will expand as the story/seasons move on.
ClobQuote Reply
Awesome casting, kudos to D&D for giving Nina the latitude to acquire such a powerful young thespian and somewhat well known to boot. This bodes well for upping the ante on the Renly/Loras/Marg plot and the later duel with Cersei.
Age doesn’t really matter as much in HBO’s alternate version of ASoIaF, hell, when we get to season 4-5, Maisie will be like 17-18, so stop being all religious over the books, it will effect your ability to enjoy the tv series. I am enjoying D&D’s take on GRRM’s masterpiece (incomplete).
This makes me feel that there might be a chance of Gong Li being cast as Mel, and some big names (or well known ones) for Stannis and Davos.
I am also hoping that we get Claire Foy as Gilly and Lea Seydoux as Ygritte.
tysnowQuote Reply
I’m going to start complaining about the complainers complaining about the complainers complaining about….shit what am I complaining about again?
fuelpaganQuote Reply
Actually, I think Natalie Dormer is a natural blond. Anyway, here’s some clips of her as Anne Boleyn:
Anne Boleyne Execution Delayed
The Execution of Anne Boleyn
KitQuote Reply
I think she is too old for the part. Against Cersei they will look the same age, nothing like mother and “daughter”. And she does’t look very innocent, perhaps I am prejudiced from her roles at the Tudors…
marVelQuote Reply
Dormer was actually my #1 choice to play CERSEI back in the day (aged up slightly).
Very excited to see her as Maergary, I know she’ll knock it out of the park!
Count me amongst those who would be fine with her character absorbing the Queen of Thorns.
shadallionQuote Reply
That might just be what the producers want.
sjweningsQuote Reply
People saying she looks too old are out of their minds, she doesn’t look a day over 20 in that pic in the article. I’m surprised she’s as old as she is. She does not at all look in anyway close to Cersei in age.
Weird. People being critical just to be critical. And flying in the face of y’know, facts. Visible facts. That girl does not look 29.
Jack DerunkQuote Reply
tek,
It would be great if there was an actual button you could push and then if the vast majority of people pushed troll they would be banned from the site, lol.
It can be frustrating at times when people take something and blow it all out of proportion. If it is a one time thing no big deal, you roll your eyes then move on. However a troll is someone who always complains, always whines and nothing is ever good enough. I do not mind intelligent critical comments but if the consistent theme of a poster is just complaints and whining then they are a troll and you have to wonder why they spend so much of their time paying attention to something they don’t like.
I think the actress looks fine for the part. I just cannot get that concerned about the casting because after season one I really trust their casting choices. There is not a better ensemble cast on TV right now in fact it is not even close because GOT has so many characters and the vast majority of them nailed their roles.
Eric NiewohnerQuote Reply
Good choice (although i had expected them to cast her as Mellisandre), i guess she’ll be billed the same way as Rory Mccan did in season 1 (in the two or three episodes when she appears and not as also starring after the episode is done). Now i really want them to cast the queen of thrones and i want it someone fabulous like Marianne Faithfull or someone equally great.
i guess this means we’ll be getting more of Renly’s camp and then we’ll get to see the Littlefinger negotiations with the Tyrel’s so we’ll get more Littlefinger and more Natalie.
Mirri MazQuote Reply
Oh, she looks great! A bit different than the Margaery I had in my head, but I can see her being absolutely perfect. I do hope that her relative star power means they’re expanding her, Loras, and Renly’s roles a bit, because I think some exploration of those relationships could make Renly’s death all the more affecting, and that’s the next big shocker. I really really hope they build up Renly/Loras more so that they can show Loras’ reaction to his death. I was so sad it happened off-screen in the books, and I bet Finn Jones would absolutely kill it.
smilingsopranoQuote Reply
Eric Niewohner,
actually real trolls are much more subtle… i think you are just describing whiners :)
Damryn of DorneQuote Reply
No problem with this casting, but she has such a small role in season 2 that I can’t get to excited either way. There is at least a dozen casting decisions for season 2 I’m more interested in: Davos, Stannis, Melisandre, Asha, Ygritte, Jaquen, Jeyne, Blackfish, etc.
SyrioQuote Reply
The pic at the top of the page was taken in March, 2008. At the time, she had just turned 26.
Steel_WindQuote Reply
This may have been brought up in the recap thread but I didn’t read all of that.
How many Kingsguards does Joffery think he needs?
In the Scene with Marillion singing there are 9 Kingsguard in the Throne room and this doesn’t of course include Jaime.
MormegilQuote Reply
Anne’s execution scene was one of the most heartbreaking scenes in the entire series. That show could do death scenes well.
This casting is perfect. Natalie Dormer is a fine actress and a very beautiful woman. I can’t understand how, after watching the entire first season of GOT, can anyone doubt the casting department.
And if we are talking about bringing people from Tudors to GOT, I’m going to start a campaign “Get James Frain on the show!”
Alexander DubrovskyQuote Reply
I think she will be perfect! I don’t care if she is older, she LOOKS younger and that is the only thing that matters. Nina Gold nailed it again, the only cast member with which I am somewhat unsatisfied is Shae but she is a minor character and I need to see her perform a bit more to formulate an opinion…
Andrija Andrew PQuote Reply
True, but again, that’s in the book. It could be in the show that she only learns it after their wedding. Don’t think it’s too important of a plot point that it can’tbe changed.
This is what the whole debate comes down to. Some people consider certain plot points to be entirely more important than they really are. Does the duality between Sansa and Margaery matter? Sure, and perhaps they can capture it still since she’s a young looking woman. And if they can’t, perhaps this emphasizes the duality between Cersei and Margaery more. Either way, it’ll work. It may not be the same as the book, but there are nuances that the show can find that may be different but better than the books as well.
RoQuote Reply
Matt Kelly,
Exactly, we get a great series from the amazing books, and instead to show appreciation and trust to showrunners, who proved themselves in first season, we still get this nitpicking and baseless complaints that someone who looks as a great choice for the role is bit older than books said. Also, I never liked The Tudors series, but she was maybe the best thing in it.
Congratz to Natalie, and I am looking forward to future seasons and her performance in it, excellent choice.
Milan PetrovicQuote Reply
Steel_Wind,
And once again you’re straying from the only thing I pointed out in the first place: the fact that no one in this series is firmly expected to be playing a character that is their actors’ age. Do you even know why I said 3-5? I said everyone in the show is 3-5 years older than their book counterpart, not that Margaery is 3-5 years older than Joffrey in the books.
There’s really no point in arguing with you because you seem so dead set in pointing out something entirely…well, pointless. In every possible meaning of the word. They don’t need to change -anything- besides saying Margaery is Loras’s older sister, and they wouldn’t even raise that many eyebrows if they didn’t.
EnterilQuote Reply
Com’on guys, I don’t think anyone commenting about her age is saying anything like “this will ruin the show” or “it’s an outrage that they cast her for that role”, they’re just expressing their opinion from their first impression of her. I think it’s just that people had a mental image of her as an innocent teenage not quite unlike Sansa.
I’ve only watched bits and pieces of the Tudors and I remember her looking older in that series, but after googling more images of her, I agree, she does look like she’s around 20. And I love her spunkiness in the Tudors (she was Anne Boleyn after all) and she’s wicked hot! So, I have no complaints whatsoever there!
I do have tremendous faith in Nina Gold and the whole entire team working on the series and I can’t wait to hear more casting news! Especially looking forward to Brienne and Asha.
I just think we should be allowed to discuss our opinions (that’s what internet fan sites are for, right?), instead of being all like, the only permissible reaction is a collective exhilarated squeeeing.
YanQuote Reply
She’s nice. But I am the best Margaery anyway!:D
Not too old at least…
Sylwia MikołajczukQuote Reply
Incidentally, I’m re-reading AFFC… and I’m already picturing Dormer as Margaery. A perfect fit, in my mind.
I’m also picturing several other cast members (especially NCW as Jaime, and Lena Headey as Cersei). I usually try hard NOT to picture actors when I read a book, but the casting is so good that I don’t really mind. I’m already having trouble remembering how I used to picture Cersei and the others, pre-show!
LexQuote Reply
Agreed. I think a lot of that was due to lack of good photos of her, though.
I recently saw an interview with her, and she was SMOKIN’. I’m saying HOT. Cooking with gas.
davebQuote Reply
Steel_Wind has an annoyingly imperious writing style, but s/he is entitled to an opinion.
Someone is not a troll or even a whiner just for having an opinion, especially something that is very true and relevant. They ARE drastically increasing a character’s age.
This forum exists to discuss the ramifications of these types of decisions.
Or are we only allowed to slobber and clap with approval?
shadallionQuote Reply
Great choice. I don’t think her age is an issue. She’s the same age as me, but looks a decade younger.
shadallion,
Steel_Wind ain’t a whiner for having opinion, but for whining. Seriously, S_W seems to be trying pretty hard to replace TSK as #1 whiner.
GaRQuote Reply
Chris Beasley,
The Borgias did it, with Gioffre and Sancia of Naples, so it’s not unheard of in the TV land these days to go for something like that. And it worked, too.
ImogenQuote Reply
Well said!
EdQuote Reply
Agreed.
It’s official… I now truly hate the nitpickers. I can’t even take you guys seriously anymore. From now on, I will ignore all nitpickery. Sorry, but you really are morons.
LexQuote Reply
Excellent, excellent choice. Natalie Dormer distinguished herself as Anne Boleyn; she took the role to another level entirely. She and James Frain were probably the two biggest standouts in the series, followed possibly by Sarah Bolger (who also could have played Margaery, though probably straighter and more virginal than Dormer will play it).
I can see her little subtext-laced confrontations with Lena Headey already.
Cersei: “You’re telling me you are still a maid.”
Margaery: (Classic Dormer smirk, lessened, with downcast eyes) “Yes, your grace.”
And Cersei seethes.
Natalie Dormer makes the Tyrells imminently more dangerous by her presence already. It looks like they are going to present Highgarden in all its luxe with thorns, barely hidden, intact.
(And am I the only straight man dying to see what Michele Clapton does with Highgarden fashion? Will we finally see a bustier with raised cleavage, or does that not exist here? With Highgarden I expect full-on Camelot flash and pageantry.)
Lordy, I can’t wait for the Queen of Thorns.
Fire And BloodQuote Reply
In the aftermath of season 1 my dominant reaction has been a sense of near disbelief. In almost every aspect of the production the team behind GOT eclipsed my wildest hopes and expectations. After years of seeing so many dissapointing transitions to film of the best in speculative fiction I had become jaded and cynical. Fanboys and girls are relentless about detail and nuance because we know how vulnerable great writing is in Hollywood. As Logan Ninefingers would say; “you have to be realistic”, but it is still so painful to see genius source material rendered dry and lifeless on screen.
Which is why seeing it done RIGHT is beyond gratifying!! To come back around to casting I just finished rereading AFFC while waiting for ADWD (LoDo signing FTW!). I found that the show characters have seamlessly replaced and enhanced the richness of the novel for me.
My way of saying that though I think the casting choice for Marjorie is excellent at this point the GOT team has proven itself to me. Even if decisions are made that I disagree with I now have a great faith in their artistic vision and direction.
herOine addictQuote Reply
Mormegil,
Then add two more when Joff escorted Sansa to the pike wall. Because only Trant and Sandor escorted them out of the throne room, but then 2 more unhelmeted KG were walking behind them. I guess D&D are making the KG a secret service like unit, with more than 7 members. So we know there are at least 12 KG (including LC Jaime).
tysnowQuote Reply
Her face is too fat and peasantly.
Margaery Tyrrell has thinner features, such that suggest cunning.
ablaaaQuote Reply
“And am I the only straight man dying to see what Michele Clapton does with Highgarden fashion?”
Yes.
shadallionQuote Reply
:(
She would have been absolutely perfect for Melisandre. Heart shaped face, porcelain skin, seductive but hard eyes. *sigh* bummer
SuunaabasQuote Reply
Fire And Blood,
i think the Queen of Thorns audition should be the actress simply screaming LEFT RIGHT.
Mirri MazQuote Reply
People seem to forget that this is a TV show BASED UPON the books; which means it is not a literal translation from page to screen. GRRM has provided some very excellent source material, but it is just that, source material, and nothing more. Get over it. If you don’t like what they are doing then get your own $50,000,000.00 and make your own damn tv show.
TenesmusQuote Reply
This is redicously amazing news. She is beautiful and talented. I’m sure her role will be expanded in the show and I’m more than fine with that.
Lucy Lawless 4 Mel.
The DarkStarQuote Reply
They are aging her up 4 years (I believe 20?). That is not Drastically increasing a character age. Besides, even GRRM has stated that he started off the characters to young, Most of the kids have been aged up 3-4 years correct?
SuperdeluxeQuote Reply
Yeah, sorry for deceiving anyone about her age and looks. Here is a more recent photo.
Winter Is ComingQuote Reply
Wow, this came as a real surprise. Didn’t think I could be more exited about the second season than I already was, but if most of the casting announcements are gonna be like this one, then damn. The wait for the second season will be even more unbearable than the wait for the first one. :)
BobbenQuote Reply
Winter Is Coming,
LOL, you got me.
Arrogant BastardQuote Reply
oh man… feels like one year ago. Haven’t we learned anything during this year? Too old, too young, wrong nose, wrong hair colour…. to fat a face??? (that one actually made me laugh. somebody should check out some pictures of her)
there is this one very, very minor thing I want to bring to your attention. it’s called “acting”… which basically means that people (so called “actors” or “actresses”) pretend to be somebody they are not. A good so-called “actor” or “actress” is good at this. A bad “actor” or “actress” is not. So the goal of a casting director is to find good “actors” and “actresses” who are good at pretending to be somebody they are not. Everything else is a secondary issue. what I want is a good “actress” not somebody who has EXACTLY the same age as the character and EXACTLY the same looks as the character. And god forbid if her face is too fat. WHY? as I said, because “actors” and “actresses” are pretending to be somebody they are not.
marzmanQuote Reply
Congrats, you win the stupidest-post-of-the-thread award… and that’s saying something.
LexQuote Reply
Jojen and Meera? Here they are:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zDo-IOv2YwA/Tbi3p7IqAAI/AAAAAAAAAB4/53lgQm93W4c/s1600/elderly_couple3.jpg
EdQuote Reply
Winter, Fire and Ice can we get a curtain call for Khal Drogo? …. PLEASE????
viniskyQuote Reply
Just wanted to jump on and try and be the voice of reason in some of these arguments. Look at any movie or TV show in the past 10 years about college/high school. Nearly every character in those shows is played by an actor or actress that is multiple years removed from any educational establishment. As far as the whole virginity thing goes. Since GRRM has a world that is heavily historically driven I’ll give everyone a lesson. When you have a political devious and overreaching family like the Tyrells marriages mean everything. Margaery, as the only female offspring of Mace, would be a key tool for him to arrange a marriage and move them up in the world, and keeping with historical traditions here virginity would be called upon at ANY age.
In summation: do unto other posters as you would have done to you. And give ANY actor or actress cast for season two a chance on-screen before you judge them.
*phew*
JonQuote Reply
Lex,
I thought you were going to ignore them? This guy is obviously trolling Lex, don’t feed them!
no you’re not. Queen of Thorns push-up bra cleavage Michelle, make it happen!
KnurkQuote Reply
Grace Jones?
gofalconsQuote Reply
She’s beautiful IMO. I think she’s a great fit.
ZackQuote Reply
More like stupidest post of the year …
Alexander DubrovskyQuote Reply
Awesome! I did a fistpump IRL I was so happy.
JennaQuote Reply
As I’ve said earlier, I’m okay with the casting. Just wondering what they’re doing with the character, since she is obviously going to be older than the Margaery of the book. Yes, she could probably pass for younger than true age (although not that much in my opinion), but I still think she will be played as an older character (even older than with the age ‘em a few years rule we’re going with in general for the show).
What makes me laugh, is that the people who have commented on her age, for the most part, have only basically said, isn’t she too old? No one has really questioned her acting skills. Yet, some of you are so worked up into a tizzy over anything that can be construed as negative, that you are willing to insult (“morons,” “trolls,” “whiners”) the relative handful that question the casting.
I question it, but not because I’m opposed to it at all. I’m curious (even maybe excited?) about how they can change/expand Margaery’s role in the series. I really do think she’ll be given a bigger presence in season two – else why waste an actress of Dormer’s ability (and yes, I realize she has a bigger role further down the series)?
CheesecakeQuote Reply
I am thrilled with that choice and I think that we are getting a sort of comfirmation that the producers are in negotiations with rather strong names.
And for the House Gatewatch – nothing really changes :D
The RabbitQuote Reply
gofalcons,
Woopi Goldberg for Melisandre!
DekarQuote Reply
She fits almost exactly into how I imagined her in the book. Can’t wait to see her in costume.
TayleronQuote Reply
Is the Queen of Thorns in Season 2?
My top choice would be Geraldine McEwan.
British? Check
Looks the part? Check
Talent? Check, check, check
Affordable? Check
Still on the job?…. dunno. She’s around 80, so….
CaedesQuote Reply
Winter Is Coming,
I have not laughed so hard in a long time…and I laugh ALOT! :-)
LeahQuote Reply
Cheesecake,
I agree, I believe she’ll be focused on a lot more than in the books, especially since we don’t rely on PoV. I haven’t seen her in anything before but I can only imagine that she’s good otherwise they would have picked her… Great track record (except Lena Heady IMO)
TayleronQuote Reply
QFT (I learned that abbreviation last week, might as well use it).
KnurkQuote Reply
But then the only person that could pull that off is R. Lee Ermey… Oh the horror.
I don’t know, On one hand she seems to be a very good actress who I’m more than certain will do an excelent job, however I’m just not sure it will be believable that she is in her early 20′s. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see how it turns out when the second season airs.
GrimtuesdayQuote Reply
Cheesecake,
I don’t think that complaining about people complaining about people who complain about casting choices really merits such a holier-than-thou attitude.
Sure, people are entitled to their opinion that she’s too old. I am fine with people having incorrect opinions. I just wish they wouldn’t spout them across the internet at interminable length.
GaRQuote Reply
I like this choice. She makes the Tyrell’s a bit more dangerous. Not sure if my other candidate Sarah Bolger would have been able to pull that off. Dormer definately can act and she looks great as well. And yes, she is a bit older, but at least she ain’t as old as Steve (Ian Ziering?) from Beverly Hills 90210 was when he was playing a high school kid :)
More casting news please! :)
FlourideQuote Reply
I’m agreeing with you that this thread is becoming a farce of itself, though I’m really wondering what The Smiling Knight would have said about this casting.
KnurkQuote Reply
GaR,
Holier-than-thou? Sorry if you read my comment that way, but that’s not how I intended it. And sorry if you think we are all “incorrect” in our opinions. But I do think it’s a shame that folks like you resort to belittling anyone with a contrary opinion.
For the record, I love the show. Some of my favorite characters are the non-PoV characters they’ve expanded (Ser Jorah springs immediately to mind). I am really hoping to see more of Margeary than the books showed since they are changing her up. Sorry if that makes me a stupid, ignorant troll for feeling that way.
CheesecakeQuote Reply
Cheesecake,
Seriously man, these people are like the Inquisition.
YanQuote Reply
I think, if the Renly/Loras scene in season one is any indicator, we’re going to be getting a lot more Tyrell behind-the-scenes glimpses in the show than we ever have in the books thus far (which I’m fine with.) For these to be done right and be believable, I think Dormer is a strong choice. I agree that the age could be tricky and I certainly won’t dismiss any concerns about it as illegitimate (though I am of the camp that she looks young enough such that it won’t be a problem) but I will say that it’s gonna be much more believable with Dormer if Margaery is doing any kind of scheming with Loras, her grandmother, Renly, etc. than it would if we had some uber virginal doe-eyed 16 year old. Especially in later seasons, assuming we get there, when she edges into the arena with Cersei/Lena Headley, I think some kind of maturity and complexity is almost necessary for that to work on screen.
Towers RiceQuote Reply
haha… unbelievable. one can truly find anything on the interwebs, even a page about the 11 oldest actors who played teenagers. check it out
number 1 of that list:
Stockard Chenning (better known as First Lady Bartlett of West Wing)
she was 34 when she played Betty Rizzo in Grease who was 18 years old
here is my favourite that should convince anybody
Keiko Agena was 30 years old (does this ring a bell?) when she played Lane Kim in the Gilmore Girls who was 18 years old
holy shmoly… Stacey Dash was 29 when she played in Clueless (her character was 17 years old)
I rest my case ;-)
marzmanQuote Reply
Cheesecake,
I’m sure you didn’t intend to come off sounding like a pompous arsehole, but you did. You’re welcome.
I should address the erroneous statement in your earlier post first:
“the people who have commented on her age, for the most part, have only basically said, isn’t she too old?”
Re-read the thread if you honestly believe that. It has been presented not as a question, but as a statement of fact. People are saying that she is too old for the role. Those people are wrong. It is an incorrect opinion, tantamount to calling Michelle Fairley too old/ugly, or Kate Dickie too skinny, or Mark Addy too short.
I did not say that everyone is incorrect in their opinions. That is a ludicrous claim. Only the people saying that Dormer is too old. If you are included in that group, then yes, you are wrong.
I didn’t call you a stupid, ignorant troll. How you arrived at that I have no idea. I called you “holier-than-thou” which is a different thing. It wasn’t exactly what I was trying to express, for that matter, but close enough.
GaRQuote Reply
This post really takes me back to last summer. Now I’m getting excited to hear about Stannis, Davos, Melisandre, Brienne, Asha, Qhorin Halfhand, Craster, etc.
Season 2 is gonna be awesome.
(P.S. BRAD DOURIF FOR CRASTER!)
LexQuote Reply
Who cares about the age???
She doesn’t have to marry Tommen — she only has to get betrothed to him and that’s perfectly believeable. Besides, even in the books Cersei was disgusted that Margaery was much older than Tommen.
Who cares if she’s too old to be thought of as a virgin in modern times? This isn’t modern times and it’s reasonable to suspect that a political family like the Tyrells would be savy enough to save her virginity for a good marriage. They aren’t going to let her lose her virginity to the stableboys while they wait for a good match. Besides, even in the book, most people don’t believe she was a virgin. That was actually an important part of Cersei’s arc in AFFC if you bothered to read it. So what does it even matter if the audiance doesn’t believe she is a virgin since none of the characters do in the book? The only thing that is important as it was in the book is being able to prove that fact.
Bottomline: Natalie Dormer is friggen gorgeous and an awesome actress so be happy.
SteveQuote Reply
Lior,
I hope not, the Queen of Thrones and left and right are one of my favorite visuals.
Jim CrossQuote Reply
Yeah, arguing on the internet is exactly like torturing people to death.
GaRQuote Reply
Just a couple days ago we were discussing how they are going to fit the whole novel into 10 episodes even without the addition of pulled-forward scenes for the likes of Robb and Jaime. Now I’m reading some comments of expanding Renly’s part because of Natalie’s casting. They probably will do some of that, but I don’t think they’ll be working it on equal level to season one’s major cast.
Due to the timeline of events it would seem difficult to move up any Margaery scenes – don’t think they can do it without screwing things around quite a bit. Renly is only in-scene for three chapters of ACoK, only one of which Margaery is introduced and present. They can make some scenes from the skipped AGoT mention of Highgarden and their marriage, and they can make up some scenes that were only mentions of Renly’s movement up the Roseroad. They can probably do quite a few scenes without it being “too much.” Still I don’t expect to see much of Natalie in the second half of season 2.
ClobQuote Reply
She probably wasn’t a virgin. That’s what drives Cersei crazy and why she goes to such lengths to prove it and ends up paying someone to lie about it because she can’t get any real proof.
ScottsdaleSamQuote Reply
Boom! Headshot!
Nice cite! The whole cast of Grease was way too old for their roles. Jeff Conaway was about 28 when he played Kenickie (60 when he passed away 2 months ago). *respect*
Mike ChairQuote Reply
There’s something I remember from drama classes taken in early community college, I think it’s called “the parameter of disbelief” probably should look it up, but it is something like that. Basically it is about our willingness to accept something portrayed on stage… What happened to this quality???
I have faith in the casting so far, basically Nina Golde is freaking amazing. I expect to be wowed by her choices as I already have been. I am sure any actor she chooses will bring these characters to life.
Just accept it, go with it and enjoy the ride
Jim CrossQuote Reply
http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2004/3/19/
HerOine AddictQuote Reply
Where did you get that? Even Cercei herself attributes Margaery’s lack of a hymen to horse riding.
RyviusQuote Reply
GaR,
Feels like it sometimes.
TayleronQuote Reply
Regina King for Melisandre!! LOL
EdQuote Reply
Pot…meet the kettle. ;)
Yeah, I have read the entire thread. And I still stand by what I said. If you want to believe people’s opinions are “wrong,” then whatever.
And I didn’t say “you” called me a stupid, ignorant troll, but a good portion of people who have expressed similar opinions to you have referred to us as much. I was making a general statement.
And for the last time – I am not unhappy with the casting. It just means a change for the character – could be good or bad, but I’m betting on good based on what we’ve seen in season one.
There really is no pleasing people around here. Either you love the casting/costumes/sets (whatever is the announcement of the day) or you’re an idiot. Nice to see how things work around here. Shame. Back to lurking…
CheesecakeQuote Reply
It was awkward in the books when she marries Tommen. You just didn’t have a visual.
Ben WatsonQuote Reply
You know, I was really disturbed by Gendry’s major age up because in his first scene with men in the armory, Gendry looked like a grown man and I thought, “Ugh, how will he EVER effectively play off little Arya???” but that scene with him and Arya by the wagon was great, and he looked young *enough* as Gendry as an older teen.
I have faith that they can do the same with Margaery. She looks the perfect age for Renly Baratheon, and remember, Joff was the fall back groom choice for her, so if the producers want to play it as more a reluctant political marriage, I think she could play that well, esp. as the older, wiser and shrewder bride of that nitwit Joff. In the books she was always very big sisterly to Tommen even after their marriage, so I don’t think that will spoil anything.
I am wondering if they are going to move some scenes from Book 3 forward in condensing the series. I would love to see her and the Queen of Thorns arrive in King’s Landing at the end of next season!!!!
persephone88Quote Reply
Cheesecake,
*you’re
::edit::
As fun as this has been, you need to harden up. I didn’t comment on your opinion of the casting, but on your opinion of others’ opinions of the casting. If you’re going to have a cry when people disagree with you, then maybe lurking would suit you better.
GaRQuote Reply
This picture is from last month:
http://natalie-dormer.org/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=18101&fullsize=1
I don’t think it’s impossible with hair style and make-up for her to pass as late teen. I’ve seen high school girls that look older than she does.
ClobQuote Reply
GaR,
LOL. Who’s crying? I’m laughing at you. Anyway, it’s been fun. And I fixed that typo that bothered you so. ;)
XOXO
CheesecakeQuote Reply
Speaking of the age, I see people are mostly worried about the marriage to Tommen. That one isn’t an issue at all, since it was already hell of crazy age-wise in the book.
The important age difference is the one between her and Joffrey. If I were Jack Gleeson right now, I would be a pretty happy camper :P
GaRQuote Reply
Betty White for Queen of Thorns!
*looks around* Anyone? No? Ok.
*walks away dejected*
Oh, while we’re all arguing about how they’ve obviously aged up Margaery too much in comparison to the other character’s… Do we have the casting call or anything that actually gives an age to the character in the show?
MiraxQuote Reply
Cheesecake,
The lady doth protest too much, methinks.
GaRQuote Reply
Mirax,
I could totally picture Betty White in that role. It’d be hilarious, for all the wrong reasons :D
Good point though, I wonder what age she’s supposed to be playing. Obviously the character isn’t starting out at 15 or whatever, but Dormer could probably swing 18-19 believably, which leaves the age difference pretty close to the books.
GaRQuote Reply
happy days are here again! I believe she is one of the most talented and beautiful actresses to come around in awhile. I hope they do enlarge her role now that she has been chosen. She was the only good thing in “Tudors”. She made it believable that Henry would risk all to be with her!
morior invictusQuote Reply
Okay, one more. RuPaul.
Mike ChairQuote Reply
When I saw who it was I nearly cheered. Although I was hoping her for the part of Melisandre, I’ll take her as Margaery.
LitewraithQuote Reply
I also scrolled through the thread again and only found 2 comments stating she is too old, without questioning that she is too old like a few others. But those 2 comments weren’t offensive in anyway like we have seen in previous castingannouncements and didn’t scream “fire and blood! they fucked up again”. I’m getting sick of people calling other commenters morons and pompous asses just because they think the actress doesn’t fit the role or they try to argue with other people. Just be glad there are only a few who think she’s too old.
Edit: Steve, spoilers!
KnurkQuote Reply
HerOine Addict,
That is awesome!!!! LMAO
fuelpaganQuote Reply
Not sure if this was posted in the Roundup Recap, but there are some interesting official articles on HBO about the series finale:
http://www.makinggameofthrones.com/
HollyoakQuote Reply
Litewraith,
You and a couple of other people have mentioned that you wanted her for Mel. I honestly don’t think I ever would have chosen her for that part because I’ve always pictured Mel a bit more… Mature? Wise? I readily admit that I don’t remember what age, if any, the books gave to Mel, but I guess I always thought a very sultry 30′s, with a sort of burning intensity (no pun intended!). I’ve not seen Dormer in anything, so I’m definitely not the best judge, but all the pics I’ve seen she sort of exudes mischief, or at the very least the ability to see the lighter side of most situations.
**Not saying any of you are wrong, I’m just trying to start up some discussion about the character. :)
MiraxQuote Reply
A lot of characters were aged up already. Whether they’re aging Margaery up significantly isn’t obvious. It’s been pointed out multiple times in this thread alone, older actors play teenagers all the time. It’s a necessity if an actor needs to work long hours.
Is it interesting to discuss if they’ll change the character for the series? Yes, but this casting doesn’t really tell us a lot yet. Except that maybe there will be a 3-way scene with Renly and Loras LOL ;)
cersei’s ladypartsQuote Reply
I think she’s hot…don’t know her work but most posters seem to like her….I guess she is kind of a big name for a small role ?….that’s great news to me !…may be Cillian Murphy as Jaqen H’ghar is possible after all…and damn he’s Irish …we gotta get him….
coltaine777Quote Reply
Eric Niewohner,
It is known.
Jaycel AdkinsQuote Reply
could totally see that, but he’s a much bigger star than Dormer (who only has one big movie on her credits and that is the upcoming Captain America (ok, maybe Casanova, yuck)). If Murphy is cast though, I demand Jason Statham for Stannis when we’re fishing in the Hollywood pool.
KnurkQuote Reply
@ Knurk
ANYBODY but Jason Statham. That’s a horrible idea
ChalkyQuote Reply
You’re right, I should have worded that better as it isn’t “obvious” else people wouldn’t be arguing. :)
I’m still curious as to what they will do with her. I hope they will give her something more to do on the show than she does in the book (for season two), because she is very talented. Maybe give her more screen time to be a comparison for both Sansa and Cersei. I trust in the writers to do something clever with her.
I think the Lannisters and Targaryens have the incest angle covered for the show. ;)
CheesecakeQuote Reply
I always pictured Naveen Andrews (Sayid from LOST) as Jaquen H’ghar.
Mike ChairQuote Reply
Mike Chair,
well, there you go. the actual age of an actor doesn’t mean anything. that’s why it’s called acting.
I am also getting tired of the “everybody is entitled to their own opinion” argument (which is actually not really an argument, but let’s not get into this). sure, everybody is entitled to their own argument… that is not up for discussion. So, yes, we can agree to disagree.
But we had this “too old, too ugly, too wrong-nosy, too chubby” opinion a million times already, and in the end none of the actors were too old, too ugly, too wrong-nosy, too chubby. Just because Natalie Dormer is 30 does not mean she has to play a character who is 30. Just because Natalie Dormer is not a virgin, I suppose, does not mean she cannot play a maid in a medieval setting. So there is no need to panic that Margaery will be aged up more than the other younger characters or “sexed” up more than in the books and, therefore, the story will be changed to such a dramaric degree that it will cause mass migraines.
So my point is, to make it clear, I have no problem with people’s concern about her age. I have a problem about jumping to quick conclusions about how things will change just because of the actual age of an actor. D&D have proven to us again and again how much they respect the books. It is time to give them some trust back that they are actually good at what they are doing.
If I was D&D, I would feel like giving an excellent bottle of wine as a present and the person who gets it looks at the percentage of alcohol on the label and says “not enough booz in it”. Sure, that person has an opinion and is entitled to it. But it’s kinda not really a smart one within the context. Please, consider what an excellent actress we are getting which means (and sorry that I am repeating myself) that she is good at pretending to be somebody she is not.
marzmanQuote Reply
LOVE the idea of Statham…but if Murphy being involved is a stretch, Statham would be an impossibilty :) …but I’d love to see it…
coltaine777Quote Reply
Knurk,
Well maybe I reevaluates my life.
Oh wait, those two posts you mention make me right.
GaRQuote Reply
I thought she was wonderful in the Tudors, and I look forward to the dynamic between her andJoffrey, I can see wonderful manipulations there, and a dynamic that’ll bring up Joffrey’s mommy issues
Steve ReynoldsQuote Reply
Wow, you whiney bitches.
This is the most exciting casting news since Aiden Gillen for me. As a huge, huge fan of the Tyrell family, this is amazing for me. This implies that the Tyrell family is going to have their role upscaled, which is amazing. They’re HUGE players in the world and the Game of Thrones. Hell, Margaery is by all logic the person who drops the strangler into the chalice and kills Joffrey. The only reason we’re kept at arm’s length from there is for POV reasons.
This is absolutely thrilling.
RoseQuote Reply
great actress, wrong role.
she’s melisandre, pure and simple.
GrandmaFunkQuote Reply
I don’t see her age as a real problem, as long as she can act. I think hiring her for the role signals a major increase in Margaery’s on screen time, compared to the books. I’m OK with that as long as they give us someone incredible for the Queen of Thorns, a much more interesting character than Margaery, really.
LangkardQuote Reply
She looks young, and makeup can do allot more. Shell do fine, shes a great actress. I just dont hope that give her to much of a big roll for the second season and totally divert whats already been written.
Jason SnodgrassQuote Reply
Save the pennies! let Ms Gold do her magic and find great talent that doesn’t bust the budget, and spend that money on battle scenes, dragons and wolves PLEASE!
(not a comment about Ms Dormer, which is AWESOME casting, but about Cillian Murphy, Jason Statham et al)
Steve ReynoldsQuote Reply
Nice pick…good look…I’m familiar with his work …I just have always pictured Murphy …his acting style and look just scream our Faceless man to me…
coltaine777Quote Reply
OT: this is awesome.
The Rains of Castamere
fuelpaganQuote Reply
Yes. I think it’s rude and misogynist the way commenters here bag on women’s ages and looks, so I will call them morons. Morons. Dormer’s true age doesn’t matter, what matters is how old she can play. She can pull off early 20′s easily.
Steve the PirateQuote Reply
Couldn’t agree with this more. People think too much of their own opinions. The fact that they were categorically wrong about any quibbles over the Season 1 castings won’t stop many from renewing the same charges for Season 2.
As to Dormer, when she played Boleyn on Tudors she ended up reminding me of Cersei a great deal. So I’m not sure where her story is going to be going in the books, but her ability to play the devious, ruthless schemer well might be useful.
BlarghQuote Reply
It might be misogynist. But then again some people even said Sean Bean was too old to play Ned Stark, “because he has to be 35 like in the books!”
So you’re right. There are misogynists. But there are also just unimaginative morons (as you so aptly put it) who mistakenly think their opinions have some merit.
BlarghQuote Reply
It’s been days since the end of Season 1 that we all agree has been brilliant, and already the doubts and nit picking are back about Season 2 casting? Numbskulls.
Steve ReynoldsQuote Reply
Isn’t it QoT who poisons Joffrey in ASoS – would be weird to have Margaery do that, no? Anyhow I’m hoping they’ll cast June Whitfield as QoT in season 3
Nick LarterQuote Reply
Steve the Pirate,
Blargh,
I agree… lack of imagination and an inability to distinguish between the real person and her craft as an actress.
marzmanQuote Reply
Blargh,
I still hold that Lena Heady is terrible as Cersei. Terrible look, terrible voice, terrible acting, terrible choice.
TayleronQuote Reply
after watching Maggie Smith in Downton Abbey, I want a Queen of Thorns that good!
Steve ReynoldsQuote Reply
Tayleron,
interesting, because I think she is great.
can you be more explicit or explain that a bit more or give some examples? how about the other roles she was playing? I am just curious.
marzmanQuote Reply
Tayleron,
and who are you to judge her acting?
oh forget it, I took a troll bait.
Steve ReynoldsQuote Reply
Yes, she’s much too old, but like all actresses of a certain caliber, she might only have been interested in a part this juvenile to help her attempt to turn back the clock—meaning, she would not have been interested UNLESS she could play a girl almost young enough to be her own real daughter. Welcome to Hollywood/UK—they don’t call it Fantasyland for nothing.
DH87Quote Reply
I could totally get behind this, just wonder about the odds though.
CheesecakeQuote Reply
Agreed. Of course, the singer sounds way to old to be Tom O’Sevens. :-))
Seriously, that was very well done.
Mike ChairQuote Reply
She is about 5 years older than Finn Jones… And cute, not beautiful. I didn’t picture Margaery so pointy? She’s only supposed to be about 4 years older than Sansa, whose been aged up to 13. So Margaery could be aged up to 17-19. Sophie is 15. Shouldn’t this actress be about 20? She’s 29 years old
OhWhoCaresQuote Reply
Howland Reed,
Lol best comment ever…………period
Question, does anybody know what the budget for season 2 is pojected to be ? or if they set the season budget before filming?
MoeQuote Reply
holy mike chair, batman. that was a good one. LOL.
marzmanQuote Reply
marzman,
I haven’t seen her in anything else. Just GoT.
She looks really awkward. Her eyebrows are really distracting, they could have lightened them up a little. She always has this odd smirk on her face which doesnt make sense. It’s like she’s in a constant state of feeling clever with herself. Wearing it right there on her face makes her look like a fool. Her lines always feel so forced. Cringe-worthy at times. I’m trying to think of a scene I liked her in and I honestly can’t.
TayleronQuote Reply
Cheesecake,
I don’t expect we could get Maggie (but how awesome would that be), I just want someone to bring the role in like Maggie does in Downton Abbey. (What’s a weekend?? rofl)
Steve ReynoldsQuote Reply
Mike Chair,
LOL. Great way to bring it from off topic to in topic.
fuelpaganQuote Reply
Steve Reynolds,
Yes, I am kind’a trolling, but only because I honestly find it interesting that others like her and I don’t. At all.
I think viewers are the ones that should be judging acting skills, if it’s not convincing to a layman it’s not good.
TayleronQuote Reply
Tayleron,
agreed.
Steve Reynolds,
that would be the best casting choice ever!
her right eye-brow is the most annoying. I loved her in Aberdeen, a brilliant piece of acting. But in GoT she constantly puts on this smug face and whispers everything she says. It’s just the way you like to see the character though: some people love this interpretation, but for me hers is the only one of the show (and maybe with the small role of Mirri Maz Duur) that I don’t like. I still can’t figure out if it’s the acting or the direction D&D gave her.
KnurkQuote Reply
She’s the worst of the bunch, I agree. But it was always going to be the hardest role to cast…because for her, looks actually are important.
BlarghQuote Reply
Mike Chair,
Both ideas sound very cool to me. I just want them to have an ‘interesting’ face and not just be some pretty/good looking bland guy….always thinks of a coiled snake about to strike when it comes to Jaqen….plus psychotic.
Jaycel AdkinsQuote Reply
People are entitled to their own opinions… but that doesn’t stop their opinions from being stupid, moronic, or even just wrong.
LexQuote Reply
Knurk,
I am 100% in agreement about Lena Headey’s Cersei performance being AWFUL!
Her dead-panning of lines, her bored, expressionless face (unless you count that freaky, randomly arching eyebrow as an expression), her lack of voice inflection.
Very disappointing performance, amongst a sea of fine efforts.
shadallionQuote Reply
Smug self satisfaction, surety that they’re right; it’s the Lannister way. Everyone else in the family is like that, it makes sense to me that Cersei is too. She isn’t trying to hide the fact (in her mind) that she’s smarter than everyone else – she’s projecting it.
Steve ReynoldsQuote Reply
Not sure I agree with this observation. It is common to have 16 and 17 year olds played by older actors (see R. Pattinson in the infamous Twilight series) because of work/school restrictions required for minors to film (Kristen Stewart was restricted in her ability to film the first movie due to the hours on set vs. the hours in school/tutoring mandated by U.S. work laws) and because nudity is so common in storylines involving underaged characters. The only reason to age Marg. up would be to snag an aging (by H’wood standards—30 is death) actress like Dormer or because the sex is going to be graphic. I suspect the former, and, no, she’s not going to look 16 or 18 or 20, any more than Esme Bianco does—they are the same age—she’s going to look 25 at best unless she appears entirely in CGI. We need to accept that. Nina G. must have something up her sleeve.
DH87Quote Reply
LOVE IT. Natalie Dormer’s a hot little sex kitten, which jives well with our little Tyrell “maid.” Who cares how old IMBD says she is versus how old GRRM says his character is? She can pull off college-age, which fits perfectly with how Jon, Robb, and a whole host of others characters who were aged up to look.
I also suspect this means D&D plan to do more with Season 2 than blindly follow the book. I’m re-reading ACOK now, and I’d be happy if they strike out on their own more. I know people will complain…but this is a TV show. I want something a little fresh and new but based on something familiar. More Margaery please! And more Natalie Dormer without a shirt…
Brandon StarkQuote Reply
She’s adorable for Margaery. Not what I pictured, but I can see it now.
Also, I enjoy reading opinions whether they are similar to mine, or absolutely opposite to mine, or downright ‘wtf?!’ to me. Let the people speak. That’s what these boards are about. We learn from the different, not from the like.
Franny BeeQuote Reply
Steve Reynolds,
Great idea! I think she would be perfect. Just look at this picture. – The Queen of Thorns all the way!
- And yeah, I know that she is a pipe dream.^^
AbyssQuote Reply
Knurk,
sure, at some point it all boils down to taste. But her interpretation of Cersei is … I am not quite sure if I can find the right words here… mature or subtle. I guess you can think what I am trying to get at. And her scence with Mark Addy where they laugh about their sad marriage was one of the best scenes in the whole series (only bested by some of the obvious cliffhanger scenes). I also like that she is not that seductress biest since I think that would have been too much of a cliche for the small screen. All in all, I don’t think she is so much different than from the books. We just get to know some other aspects of her personality which book readers only got to know in the later books.
marzmanQuote Reply
Agree totally.
CheesecakeQuote Reply
Shut up and iron my shirt.
(sorry, couldn’t resist)
EdQuote Reply
I tried to reserve my judgement, but now that we’re through with the first season I have to agree with this. As far as performances go she’s been the biggest disappointment IMO. I don’t think she’s actually a bad actor, but I don’t like her version of Cersei. There’s a difference between cold and calculating and just plain bland.
Avalanche3319Quote Reply
marzman,
as you said, it’s all about taste. But I’m really wondering at the moment if her right eyebrow ever straightens up, I’m looking at her imdb pictures now and it seems her eyebrow is always that way. Too bad for me I can’t get myself over it.
KnurkQuote Reply
Wow, I really wasn’t expecting that. I’m not able to picture Dormer as our Margaery. Interesting casting choice to say the least. She made such an impact in The Tudors, so much so that I hope she can shake that off and change it up for Finn Jones’ sister! Well Nina Gold has done an impeccable job so far so I’m gonna stick by her.
Having said that, I just can’t see her and Joff/ Jack Gleeson as a couple Oh I donno!
BroQuote Reply
I also agree, with the exception that I don’t want too many more of those “sexposition” scenes.
Most of the new scenes were fantastic, but the sexposition ones were undoubtedly the worst of the new scenes. Just awkward and forced. I especially disliked the Viserys bathtub scene, the Littlefinger/lesbian scene, but they were all pretty bad. I hope D&D continue to add great new scenes to the show, but hopefully less of those.
LexQuote Reply
What was the reason The Smiling Knight was banned for? I think it was for his insults, not his opinios, right?
Shouldn’t some people here being careful about calling others morons or some such? If the same banning policy applies to them as it was applied to TSK, then they aren’t here for long.
jimmyQuote Reply
Perhaps they plan to film her through a coating of Vaseline over the lens like they did Joan Crawford in her faded-glory days? Or a layer of cheesecloth, another old Hollywood trick? Or, maybe they’ll have her say, as True Blood’s 40-year-old Stephen Moyer playing 30-year-old Bill Compton did to explain his weathered face: “Times were harder then.”
DH87Quote Reply
Lex,
Agreed. Some of the “sexposition” scenes worked and some didn’t. Honestly, the material works well enough on its own where I don’t think it needs extra sex to spice it up (this includes scenes not in the book).
Shadowcat85Quote Reply
Wellcome to the show, Natalie Dormer. ;-)
AbyssQuote Reply
Lex,
I have to agree with that. There was too much sexposition. I’m all for sex and exposition, but why so much? It ended up being a joke.
“I wonder who’ll get naked and tell us about their motivations this episode?”
TayleronQuote Reply
Abyss,
That actually doesn’t look too bad haha. I like it.
TayleronQuote Reply
Have to agree with you on this one – although I thought the bathtub scene was one of the better sexposition scenes. The rest of them, and pretty much any scene with Ros, felt like wasted time to me. I’m fine with the sex, not so much the clunky dialogue that went with it.
Edit: What I mean to say is I’d rather see two characters talk normally than force a conversation over sex.
CheesecakeQuote Reply
cheesecake,
There’s a difference between “I disagree with the way they approached this” and “OMG the show is ruined now!”
It’s one thing to say “I would have gone with a younger actress but I can see how this will work” but it’s another to say “There’s no way this will work without changing the storyline major! This sucks!”
Here’s some facts:
1) Margaery in the books is somewhere around 16 while Sansa is 12. They are not “of an age”.
2) With Sansa aged to 13, probably more like 14 by book 2, it makes sense that Margaery will be a bit older, like 18 or in her early 20′s. Besides, everyone on the show who is married is played by an actor over 20.
3) Margaery and Joffrey aren’t supposed to be of an age, either. She’s supposed to be noticably older. Doubly so with Tommen.
4) Natalie Dormer is 29 but looks about 5-7 years younger. Actresses her age play much younger all the time in Hollywood.
5) We too often apply modern standards to period fare. “It’s not believable to suggest she’s a maid”? Umm…maybe not today but we’re talking about a time and place where highborn ladies would NEVER give their maidenhead to anyone but their husband. Is it unrealistic that she’s never been married? Maybe, but Lord Tyrell may have been holding out for a king.
She’s also a brilliant actress and smokin’ hot, so I frankly welcome her with open arms.
Josh ParkerQuote Reply
some how I quoted the wrong comment. anyway, to then person who wanted to know which episodes of The Tudors Feature Natalie, my answer to that would be:
The whole second season.
metalgoddessambQuote Reply
Abyss,
I’ve mentioned it a few months back, but my choice for Queen of Thorns is easily made: Billie Whitelaw. Acting chops and intensity to spare. Plus, she once was married to Peter Vaughn, our Maester Aemon. She is at least semi-retired, however, but I’d enjoy seeing her in the role.
DancewithdwagonsQuote Reply
point is, nobody said it was gonna suck (or did I miss something?, because that would be ‘moronic’ to assume). You should spoilerize your point 3 by the way.
KnurkQuote Reply
ok, here is the correct comment I wanted to quote. And my answer is: the WHOLE second season.
She was one of the best things about The Tudors.
metalgoddessambQuote Reply
Yes, Natalie Dormer,the actress, is “too old”, but she looks younger and I’m sure HBO can tweak that as needed.
Personally, I thought she was great in Tudors and big thumbs up to her as Marg.
McStarkingtonQuote Reply
Boobies!
Joe BlancheQuote Reply
After reading this entire thread I figured I’d give myself a chuckle. Congrats Natalie, I welcome this addition to the show. Excited to see how the assumed expanded character arc will go. Love you Nina.
Joe BlancheQuote Reply
Josh Parker,
1.-3. Yes, I realize Margaery is older than Joffrey and Sansa in the books. And I basically agree with your age-up math.
4. Yes, I do think Dormer could pass for 24-25ish (not much younger in my opinion though). And for the record – before people start claiming I think she’s a hag – I think she’s absolutely gorgeous (better as a brunette, but still stunning as a blonde). ;)
5. Agreed.
Now, I would like to point out yet again, I never said I was against her casting. The more I think on it, the more I really like it to be honest. I DO have absolute faith in the casting director after what I’ve seen from season one.
Perhaps I’m wrong in thinking they’re going to age up Margaery a bit more than the rest of the younger cast members, but personally, I think it’s a fascinating prospect. Really, some of my favorite stuff on this show has been the non-book scenes and non-PoV characters, so I’m really excited to see what they could do with her. I think it would be a waste to not use her for more than one episode in season two.
CheesecakeQuote Reply
It also kind of ruined most of the sex scenes in the show. All our sex scenes were either exposition or rape based.
There was only one good sex scene in the show, that I can recall. That was the one where Dany challenged Drogo by looking in his eyes and riding atop of him. From the actors, to the lighting, to the music, that scene was smoking hot.
LexQuote Reply
Love Natalie. Loved her as Anne. She will be a BRILLIANT Margaery! I can’t wait to see the brother/sister dynamic between her and Finn Jones!
MichelleQuote Reply
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
metalgoddessambQuote Reply
Sorry Knurk, but you may have actually missed something. here is just a selection for your enjoyment ;-)
ralia,
Felagund,
Steel_Wind,
Microchaton,
Blood,
Chris Beasley,
marzmanQuote Reply
TOTALLY who I see in my mind for Craster!
metalgoddessambQuote Reply
I may not like her portrayal, but this was kind of awesome of on her Facebook page:
KnurkQuote Reply
The more I think about this the more I really wish she had a larger part than Margaery. Give her fiery red hair and I could totally see her as Melisandre. Now they better find someone perfect for Mel or I’ll be disappointed..
Avalanche3319Quote Reply
I’ll third this. I just don’t like her…em, either of them, Cersei OR Lena. LOL.
really hate them both, haha.
metalgoddessambQuote Reply
Oh its female casting news! Better get out the microscope and pick apart every single detail of her face and body! And 30? That’s too fucking old! No way would we ever believe that an experienced 30 year old actress could morph into a younger woman! Because 30 isn’t even young, its bordering on hag territory! In fact, her ability to pass as a younger woman is beyond her acting skills, which I have not yet even seen! And the number of years a woman has lived on the earth is clearly written on every woman’s face! I can always look at a woman and know exactly how old she is! Oh, and I’m also an expert on what virginal teen girls look/act like because I am a virginal teen girl myself!
MegQuote Reply
well ser, you have proven my point, noone in those comments claimed the show will suck because of this casting choice. They don’t like the choice or have doubts about it, but the overall tone is: let’s see how this plays out (that’s not reasonable?). I really like the looks of this actress, but I fucking hate the character Margaery. Watching Cersie vs. Margaery for me is like (using a GRRM allegory) watching the New England Patriots vs. the Dallas Cowboys.
KnurkQuote Reply
Maggie Smith still does stage, if I’m not mistaken. She’s a real actor’s actress. I bet if D&D approached her and she liked the script enough, she’d take a pay cut. Gah. Could you imagine? She’d be awesome. I freakin’ love her.
And I’m hoping against hope Headey gets pregnant again in real life and has to drop out.
PatDQuote Reply
Another female role that looks nothing how I pictured/expected (visually).
And yikes, people are scary-mean to Lena…
babylonrisenQuote Reply
That is hell of awesome.
GaRQuote Reply
I don’t think I’m being mean. I’m just being honest. I think her performance has been terrible and ruins an otherwise perfect cast.
I’m not wishing anything evil on her. Just that she gets a clue (maybe reads the books???), and acts like Cersei, rather than a bored as shit Lena Headey.
PatDQuote Reply
And rude, and unclassy, and lame. The nitpickers and complainers and a-holes are starting to make our entire fandom look bad.
LexQuote Reply
I wish people would stop saying she’s 30. She’s younger than me, and I’m not 30 yet :S
GaRQuote Reply
She seems like a marvelous choice.
Also, threads like this remind me why I so seldom read the comments here anymore. So much venom over such trivial shit. I am convinced some people just look for things to be unhappy about. I begrudge no one the right to their opinion, but Jesus H. Christ if some people don’t understand the line between a friendly debate and a hostile argument.
Eric BigpictureQuote Reply
Enough with the name calling. That’s even lame-r.
Oh, and I think Natalie’s a wonderful choice. It’s pretty clear that the show is playing fast and loose with the character’s ages (and making it work), plus she looks like she could pull off really young very easily.
PatDQuote Reply
Great quote from aintitcoolnews Herc (like’em or not):
If Dormer can’t turn Renly straight, then it can’t be done.
KnurkQuote Reply
No one who hasn’t read the books cares if she’s older than the character in the book is. This is the tv-show.
I wonder how many times I get to repeat that as the S2 casting continues to be revealed. I hate you all.
johnQuote Reply
It’s not rude, unclassy, or lame to point out that one performance among the spectacular cast has been sub-par. Not everything about the show can be perfect. I LOVE 95% of this show, but there’s still 5% (starting with Lena and Ros) that just hasn’t turned out as well as hoped. It’s ok to discuss the things that have been disappointing as well as the things that have been so wonderful. I haven’t seen anyone saying they hate Lena, just that they’re not happy with her performance.
Avalanche3319Quote Reply
Avalanche3319,
*ahem*
GaRQuote Reply
GaR,
Ok, you got me. I’m at work so not paying as much attention as I thought, lol. Still I think the majority of people who arent happy with Lena’s performance are saying so respectufully.
Avalanche3319Quote Reply
Haha, it’s like someone had mentioned before – at times, reading the comments here is like getting into a hamster wheel. Tiring, dizzying, fruitless, etc….
Meg,
Nothing but love for your post.
cat of the canalsQuote Reply
Avalanche3319,
Can you believe some people describe me as “pedantic” ?
GaRQuote Reply
Also, I can’t help but think that if nobody knew who she was and this (http://i2.listal.com/image/1184528/500full.jpg) is what popped up when they introduced Margaery, no ooooone would be taken aback by her age. Especially when you picture her among those who are supposed to be her in her age group in the show (Renly, Loras, etc.). But maybe other people are just much more perceptive when it comes to age than me.
cat of the canalsQuote Reply
I don’t hate Heady, but my comments probably did seem harsh. It’s just that I have such a high standard in regards to this show, and frankly she’s the only one not meeting it. Everyone else is playing their parts fantastically. There will always be nitpicks of coursewith everyone, but Heady’s performance is certainly an outlier.
TayleronQuote Reply
Also, the new Captain America trailer is out. Dormer can be spotted (1:46)! And it is an awesome trailer (despite the crappy big head small body CGI).
KnurkQuote Reply
WHAT. THE. F$#@K is a Tool song doing in a movie trailer?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?
It’s one of the best rock songs ever… but man that’s brutally depressing.
LexQuote Reply
Lex,
I know, it does somehow kind of sounds awesome (am I putting this right?).
KnurkQuote Reply
It’s one of my favourite songs by my favourite band… and I see other Tool fans online are apparently happy about hearing it in the trailer… but I was just a bit shocked. It feels wrong for such an epic song, like it cheapens it. Oh well.
LexQuote Reply
cat of the canals,
trust me, there would have definately been questionmarks knowing us, she has quite an ‘older’ enough look in that picture that would make some commenters cringe. But let’s be real, it’s only 2% of the commenters that put questionmarks upon her (mind you, not even dismissing her): this is one of the most accepted castings there has been. Nina Gold does shit gold.
KnurkQuote Reply
You know who’s also in Captain America? Hayley Atwell. Do I even have to say it?
Mike ChairQuote Reply
Alexander Dubrovsky,
i actually want james frain as
The king beyond the wall
JillianQuote Reply
The age/height/looks thing has reared its head before. Remember when Mark Addy was not “tall” enough? Remember when Peter Dinklage was not “ugly” enough? She has obviously passed the auditions and the producers feel she is right for the role. It’s about the acting. A good actor can make up for almost any appearance shortcoming. Dinklage does not have the mismatched eyes and ugly features but is there any doubt that he IS Tyrion? She is a fine actress and I’m sure she will do very well with the part.
Something for Winter to try and confirm:
I have a friend that works for Direct TV. His HBO Rep told him that if the ratings hold they will finish the series whether or not Martin is done with the books. Martin has said on his blog that the show has its own canon just as the books have theirs. How would we all feel if the show catches up with the books and goes in its own direction?
Titus CrowQuote Reply
Mike Chair,
Ygritte? Or Asha perhaps?
A Man GrownQuote Reply
Linda Hunt for the Queen of Thorns! Though she is American and NCIS:LA kind of cliff-hangered her in the season finale so I don’t know if she’s available.
gofalconsQuote Reply
I suggested this yesterday and got a couple of negative responses.
Honestly, I don’t see what the problem would be. Martin has already had meetings with D&D telling them how the whole thing will end. He provided an early copy of DwD to them. He’s consulted on things they do in the show that might impact future events.
As long as the ending is the same, I don’t see a huge problem with giving D&D a little creative license in how to get there.
ScottsdaleSamQuote Reply
Totally expect them to cast a sexpot for Ygritte. For Asha I’d expect someone athletic. Haley Atwell’s gorgeous but looks very feminine and soft.
Steve ReynoldsQuote Reply
I’d say Mel — she’s English and part Native American — unless they want to go Asian. Then I’d say some one like Maggie Q.
Mike ChairQuote Reply
Steve Reynolds,
Good point. I asked if he meant them mainly because she didn’t seem like a Mel to me either at first glance. But I could buy it.
A Man GrownQuote Reply
Mike Chair,
I’m hoping for saffron burrows for Mel now that she’s stepped aside from the Bones spinoff
Steve ReynoldsQuote Reply
On a slightly different subject, Game of Thrones as it relates to theories of international relations: http://drezner.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/06/23/what_can_game_of_thrones_tell_us_about_our_worlds_politics
LongclawQuote Reply
Late to the party, but this news was so great to hear. I’ve been waiting for Dormer’s career to take off after The Tudors, where she was so good in playing a really difficult role, and always wondered why no one seemed to want to give her a chance. Partly I think this is because she doesn’t look like the typical Hollywood starlet nowadays, but that’s what makes her unique. Her acting just has such refreshing self-confidence about it that even if you don’t think she’s beautiful at first glance, she will win you over. She grew on me throughout the Tudors’ first season, and I thought she was absolutely gorgeous by the halfway point.
Now if we can only incorporate James Frain and Sam Neill, we’ll have successfully cannibalized all the best parts of The Tudors.
maledictaQuote Reply
I agree wholeheartedly. It is a very pronounced feature of the winter-is-coming.net community: there are many regulars here that are VERY quick to shout down anyone that posts anything critical — or even questioning — about the show. I’ve read about half the comment so far and there were many examples of this.
It is so bad in this particular comments thread that I’ve come up with a theory. I honestly think these people were weened in the era of Facebook, where the predominant form of feedback is the “like” button. So they are used to liking things, and absolutely unaccustomed to actual conversation or critical thought.
As I’ve said in other threads, fandom has ALWAYS been about spirited discussion of DIFFERENT opinions. We discuss our DIFFERENT perspectives. Criticism is fair play. Not a reason for you to ask other posters to “stop”, or call them “trolls”, or “whiners”.
BradQuote Reply
Ooo. She can birth my shadow baby anytime. :-)
Mike ChairQuote Reply
I never really gave two shits about Margaery Tyrell anyway. But I think she will do just fine.
For those who are complaining about her being too old, um, are you also complaining that Dinklage was ill cast since he is older than both NWC and Lena Headey, yet was cast as their “younger” brother?
Didn’t think so.
Ryan MichaelQuote Reply
And sorry, but your tone and message is amazingly divisive to an online fan community. I have no idea why you take the comments of some fellow-fans so personally. Why not just ignore opinions you disagree with?
To answer the begged question, I’m not ignoring your post because it does apply to me directly. I have opinions other than “neat, great, wonderful”, and so you’ve just called me a moron. Expect reactions when you call people names.
BradQuote Reply
In the world of casting misteaks they could have made, Natalie’s age is a teeny weeny one. Vastly overcompensated for by her acting ability, good looks and star power.
MikeQuote Reply
Forums, Facebook, Talkback radio may give everyone an equal voice, but they certainly don’t make each voice equally worth listening to.
Steve ReynoldsQuote Reply
That would be amazing! :-) Shadout Mapes (spelling?) in the house!!
BradQuote Reply
Brad,
Lex: “From now on, I will ignore all nitpickery.”
Brad: “Why not just ignore opinions you disagree with?”
Seriously.
GaRQuote Reply
Umm….he told them how it ends? Where did you read or hear that?
I have read about them getting DwD early and some notions of future events….but the ending itself?
I don’t think they will catch up to Martin, there are just two books left. I think Martin has gotten over his ‘knot’ and the idea that it will take him 6 plus years to finish up…well…thinks and hopes not.
Jaycel AdkinsQuote Reply
Late to party as well.
This news is the only thing that saved this from being a completely crap-tastic day.
I liked her on the Tudors but haven’t seen her in much else. Glad that miss Tyrell is getting some attention and they’re preparing for her to have a bigger role in up-coming seasons.
Phoenix_TornQuote Reply
One of the articles posted on here from before the series started. He also quizzed D&D on who Jon Snow’s parents are. I think they passed. And he gave them the first 800 pages of DwD before he finished it.
ScottsdaleSamQuote Reply
Agreed. Cercei went off the reservation, imagined a man eating Sharon Stone to only get a frowning unhappy Gwyneth Paltrow (acting wise). In the big scheme of things it’s not the end of the world, just that the portrayal was vastly different than the source.
DrfunkQuote Reply
yadda yadda too old yadda yadda no blackfish cast yadda yadda
Your impatience and lack of creativity spoils my porridge
Argh.
JennyQuote Reply
About the Blackfish…
What does he actually DO? He’s like the Lannister boogeyman. Apart from being one cool dude, how does he advance the story?
Steve ReynoldsQuote Reply
Fire And Blood,
no, you’re not the only person. :)
…oh, i’m not actually a strait man but you get what i mean.
educatedponyQuote Reply
You know when a post about a minor characters casting for season 2, fastly approaches the post count for the season finale recap thread, that we are all fucked up in the head.
The DarkStarQuote Reply
I can definitely see this. I really liked Olena in the books, but with casting like this I think it’s likely the roles will be combined, or perhaps making Olena even more of a minor character in order to expand Margary’s role. I can picture it for all the scenes of Olena I remember.
JaedenQuote Reply
Winter Is Coming,
Maybe we could do with a season “recap” post, to give final thoughts on the entire season. Direwolves aside, I couldn’t have asked for anything more.
The DarkStarQuote Reply
I was too busy reading comics when I should have been reading this. Sorry I was late to this party.
SergioCQH,
Thorn-KnightQuote Reply
Mike Chair,
But I actually would not mind Grace Jones as Melisandre lol If we HAD to go off the map, we could do a lot worse for her.
KGQuote Reply
My thoughts exactly.
ApuliaQuote Reply
Yes! With our top 5 or 10 moments.
LexQuote Reply
Apulia,
and Mark Addy is too short to be Robert Baratheon. and Kit Harrington is too old to be Jon Snow. and Michelle Fairley is too old to be Catelyn. and Miltos is to hairy to be Syrio. and Emilia Clark is not skinny enough to be Dany. and Dinklage is too good looking to be Tyrion…
The DarkStarQuote Reply
Hahaha, well said!
LexQuote Reply
I’m essentially ambivalent with regards to this, mostly because I’ve never seen Natalie in anything. Despite a love for medieval history (and an inexpressible love for Henry Cavill), I never got around to watching The Tudors. I YouTube’d an Anne Boleyn compilation to see what Natalie is all about, and it was good, but I’m guessing a lot of power is lost when you see the clips out of context. She seems like a good actress, and she is pretty, in a not-so-common way. I can’t help but think she looks very feline. I’m NOT trying to say she looks LIKE a cat. Rather, I’m trying to find a way to explain her looks. I think she has a slinky, mischievous, seductive look to her.
However, this is not how I imagined Margaery. For how I envision the character, I do think she looks a little old, or rather, “mature.” I always imagined Margaery to be an ingenue on the outside and a shrewd politician on the inside. I don’t foresee Natalie playing the role that way: I think it will be more so the latter quality expressed both externally and internally. Do I think it’s a problem that they aged the character up? Not at all; most characters have been aged up, and I in fact prefer it that way. But do I think she’ll look a bit silly next to Jack Gleeson? Yes. But hey, they won’t be married for long!
People keep saying that “aging up” doesn’t matter, but I think it does a bit in this case. It doesn’t matter if she’s Loras’ older sister; there is nothing in the plot that requires she be younger. However, as others have said, I think it will be harder to navigate the “Margaery is a virgin” issue. Regardless of whether or not it is true, people (within the story) believe it to be true, and that’s how Margaery garners so much power, love and respect from the court and common folk. Remember what Varys and Tyrion discuss in ACOK? Power is found where people believe it to be. So this innocent, virginal, doe-eyed young queen is a paragon of beauty and virtue, a very welcome idol in tough times. From that, she extracts the power she needs to spread her influence. That’s how I see it anyway, and I can’t help but think it will be harder to express that if Dormer plays Margaery how I’m expecting.
Also, outside the realm of the story, I guess I’m slightly disappointed because I thought Margaery was going to go to a relatively unknown younger actor. Emilia/Kit/Richard, and Isaac/Maisie/Sophie have done such a stand-up job that I suppose I was expecting more of the same. It’s nice to see young talent get a chance to shine, and Margaery would have been the perfect type of role for that. I’m not saying Natalie doesn’t deserve it, but I guess I just wasn’t expecting an already-established actor to get this role.
DISCLAIMER: All that said, I’m not a casting director, and Nina Gold is. I’m not a showrunner, and D&D are. So if they believe this is the person for the job, I’m going to give them my trust, because they haven’t given me a reason yet to do otherwise. And I am interested to see how they adapt the character, because frankly, their adaptations have been awesome. Iain Glen as a more charismatic, sexy Jorah Mormont? Love it. Harry Lloyd as a more sympathetic Viserys? Awesome. John Bradley as a more humorous, less feeble Sam? On the mark. Michelle Fairley as a more earthy, grounded cat? Um, hells to the yes. She took one of my least favorite book POV characters and made her one of my most favorite TV characters. So I do look forward to the TV Margaery. Just because she doesn’t match MY interpretation of Margaery doesn’t mean she won’t have her own awesome interpretation of the character. I want to emphasize this paragraph to the highest degree in the hopes that no one calls me a moron.
And that brings me to the next part of this post. This thread has actually been really unenjoyable. It’s our first casting news for Season 2, and it should be awesome! Yet, it has been reduced to nothing more than constant bickering, name-calling, and frankly, elitism. I’m astonished by the amount of people who called others morons/stupid/dumb because they voiced their opinion that this 29-year-old actress may be too old to play a 16-year-old character as she is in the books. I don’t see the harm in that opinion. I don’t think anyone way saying, “Ew, Natalie, you’re old, you could never be our Margaery!” They were just voicing their concerns/opinions/thoughts that she doesn’t fit with their idea of the character.
When we read, we have to create the world for ourselves. GRRM gives us A LOT to work with. He’s one of the most descriptive and immersive writers I’ve ever read, even more so than any of the authors of “Classic” literature. However, regardless of what he’s given us, each reader will come up with different images/ideas/impressions in their mind, because the written word is channeled through our psyches, which are completely and utterly unique to us as individuals, and then projected in the imagination as the ASOIAF world we see. My point here? Reading is an intensely personal experience, so when books are being adapted to TV/film, it’s natural for people to have strong reactions to aspects of the production that don’t line up with what’s in their mind. I have friends who won’t even watch Game of Thrones because they don’t want to influences the ASOIAF they live in when they read the books. It’s natural to compare/contrast your image of a character with what the TV team gives you. And while there were a few petty comments (the “peasanty face” one was just mean…), most reservations I came across have been harmless and well-supported.
People who tell others they are morons for sharing their thoughts are trolls too. Their comments are off-topic, inflammatory and unnecessary. The comments are mean and have no discussion value. In fact, they’re more so trolls than people saying the actress is potentially too old. The latter is an idea related to the show and topic on hand. The former is a personal attack against someone who simply offered their opinion. Someone at some point said that people are entitled to their own opinions, but that this doesn’t stop those opinions from being wrong. But that’s just a logical fallacy. An opinion isn’t objective, so it cannot, by nature, ever be wrong…or right. It has no inherent potential for truth. It only matters to the person who thought it.
Nitpicking has been a problem around these parts; it is known. But it’s only nitpicking if you’re going on about inconsequential details. Eyebrows. Winterfell’s flat roof design. Addy’s height. Things that are just aesthetic but that don’t really matter to the plot line. I DON’T think Natalie Dormer’s age falls in with these inconsequential things. I think it’s just the opposite: a quality that directly affects the essence of the character. So it is logical and expected that people would have reservations. And since this is a website intended for discussion of the show, is it unnatural to think people may express those reservations here?
IN SHORT: I believe criticism and dissent make the world go round. It’s how new countries are born, how social change occurs, how science and education progress. So why shouldn’t we have it here? There is – for lack of a beter word – danger in nitpicking, but there is also danger in trying to dissuade dissent. We need a happy medium, and I do hope we’ve found it by the time the next announcement is released.
And to end, two of the smartest, most on-the-mark posts I saw in this thread:
LinaQuote Reply
Alwyn,
Rufus Sewell WOULD make a good Stannis. Or Roose Bolton. I’m just waiting for Bill Nighy to be cast, lol.
AdamQuote Reply
And rate the season out of 5 lemon cakes like APOIAF, or 1 to 10 with reasons why.
The DarkStarQuote Reply
Test. I’ve tried to respond twice now but both times I haven’t seen my posts go up! The first time I chalked it up to my error so I tried again, but I still don’t see results. :/ SO, if two verrrry long posts from me DO show up, I apologize profusely. Please delete the second, if possible. I had some of what I wrote copied into a Word document, but had to do my best on the second try to edit from memory the changes I had made in the WIC posting pane.
Is there a length limit now? I’ve written posts that feel like they’re ASOS-length in recap threads and never had a problem :(.
LinaQuote Reply
Very cool casting. Should draw some interest to the show, and might mean a bigger role from a character I always found interesting.
Ryan McCoyQuote Reply
I’m also hoping there is a Jason Momoa curtain call post coming.
MikeQuote Reply
I bet she auditioned for Mel first
ChalkyQuote Reply
I’m late to the party, too, and there’s no way I’m reading all those comments, but add my vote to the “too old” group.
I’ll withhold any actual complaints until we see her in the show, but this woman does marry Joffrey and then Tommen. Yes, those were political marriages, but as a queen she would have to produce an heir and a spare. By the time she and Tommen could consummate their marriage she’d be mostly past childbearing age by medieval standards Seems to me they should have cast a young girl instead of a woman who’s pushing 30.
ElaineQuote Reply
Adam,
He would, and I’m sick of the Mark Strong suggestions. About as realistic as the wot-fans waiting for a screen-adaption where Johnny Depp plays Asmodean.
Petter Kristian VikestadQuote Reply
If this is the kerfuffle was get for Margaery, I can only imagine the drama with Brienne.
I hope people start playing a bit nicer, there is just no need to make personal attacks, if you think they are a moron, no need to write a post saying that and little else. Ignore and move along
dimensionallytQuote Reply
I fully agree with you, Knurk. I randomly checked two of the linked comments, and all they did was express some doubt that this will work out. Neither was attacking the actress or the producers or anybody else.
Is there some rule now here where we are allowed only to say positive things about the series? If so, it should be made more clear.
PS. I wonder how people would have reacted if Arya would be played by a 25-year old actress.
morbiczerQuote Reply
morbiczer,
Fatuous. Make a valid argument or you deserve to be scorned.
Steve ReynoldsQuote Reply
Tayleron,
Absolutely with you for all the reasons you and others have listed in this thread.
There’s nothing of the core of Cersei in Headey’s portrayal. No sexuality, no tamped down rage, just this weird quizzical coldness. The smirk and eyebrow make her seem constantly perplexed.
She’s the only actor I’m having constant trouble with.
DamianQuote Reply
I, for one, totally dig this casting news. While I haven’t watched The Tudors, I looked up a few clips on YouTube and found her an amazing, charismatic actress who I have no doubt will pull Margaery off.
Slightly off topic: It would do WiC.net good, I think, if fans were a little more … reserved with their concerns. Nobody is saying that you should not express criticism or your dislike of a certain casting decision, but come on – some of the things I’ve read in the comments here are way beyond nitpicky and in some cases insulting to the actors. This is especially true regarding Lena Headey as Cersei. I think some people here haven’t really thought through that the TV adaptation is intentionally changing her character – they’ve said so several times. Instead of having her go from relatively crazy in AGOT to totally crazy in AFFC, they opted to start her out as relatively ‘normal’ in order to better show her deterioration/how things are slipping out of her hands more with every book. Otherwise, a non-reader audience would probably not pick up any differences between AGOT Cersei and AFFC Cersei. Lena Headey has to play differently. You can criticize the decision to adapt her this way all you want, but don’t be negative towards her acting because she portrays the role as envisioned by D&D.
Bastard of BrackenQuote Reply
The boy cast as Tommen looks to be maybe 10? He’d be able to produce an heir in about 3 years. Ok, thats just very icky, lets say 6 years, then. Dormer can play someone as young as at least 25. So starting to produce babies at 31? Sure! I’m not sure when medieval women were past their childbearing age, but it seems like people age about the same as modern people in this world.
sjweningsQuote Reply
sjwenings,
The argument that lifespans were shorter in the middle ages is pretty much bunk. The average lifespan was shorter because of very high infant death rates dragging down the average age, so you’re right in there being no impediment to a 30 ish year old woman getting pregnant back then.
Steve ReynoldsQuote Reply
OT, re: BloodyGate. I wonder whether we’ll ever get an official announcement about the Blackfish, or if he’s not even important enough to deserve to be read his death warrant aloud.
Because that’s what it amounts to. If GRRM had plans for him in future books, he’d leave the Blackfish in. The guy would still have a 75% chance to die a horrible shameful protracted death like everybody else in the saga, but at least he’d have some more scenes. As it is, the chances he’s dispatched in the ADWD prologue rise to 1000%. So comparisons with Tom Bombadil (can’t remember if they’ve been done in this thread, but they have been done) are pointless. The jolly fellow with the yellow boots was safe, at least.
By now I’m sure that GRRM has no idea of what to do with at least some of his material, or he’s been too influenced by the logic of the TV show. (And I repeat once again, from a storytelling point of view it made sense to cut the Blackfish from S1. Gave more to do to Ser Not Brynden Tully before he bit the dust.) To think that I’ve been touring conventions here introducing the show and praising especially “the unique synergy between the show and the ongoing book saga”. The joke’s on me.
It’s perfectly normal for an author to change his mind. Among all my novels-in-the-closet, there’s one which begins with the death of the protagonist in flashback. Then, when I got at the end, I realized it made more sense to keep her alive. It’s the biggest turnaround I’ve experienced when possessed by creativity.
I’m going to say something that will sound very ugly, but is actually praise, considering the origin of these words: GRRM sh*ts gold. He spontaneously creates wonderful places and characters until there’s too many of them, and like sh*t, they have to be flushed away. But they were gold nonetheless, and many loved them. I’m still waiting to see whether GRRM really killed Davos and Brienne, but especially Davos “off-screen”, because if he did, he really pulled a JK Rowling, and we can expect many more: lots of people dying casually behind the scenes. The Blackfish will be one of these. Unless of course GRRM decides to be generous and gives him the Robb-Greywind treatment. I can’t wait.
I’ll stop waiting for an announcement that will never come. Self-defense is kicking in, and my investment in it all is dropping to zero. I can’t spend one second more feeling as bad about the Blackfish as I did in the latest months. My fault, surely. Move along, there’s nothing to see here. You can go back to discussing important characters.
Blackfish BluesQuote Reply
Blackfish Blues,
I feel for you, I thought he was such a cool character; but I can’t for the life of me think of something vital that he’s done in the story that couldn’t be done by someone else.
If you have to cut speaking roles from the TV series he seems a good choice to me.
ps. I’d buy a new pup instead of pay an expensive vet bill too.
Steve ReynoldsQuote Reply
sjwenings,
Also, just going by the show, Catelyn was certainly over 30 when she had Rickon. I would guess she’s in her mid to late forties and Rickon is six years old. Even in the book Catelyn thinks she can still give Ned another child, and I think in the book she’s aged around 35 or so.
Arrogant BastardQuote Reply
Save all the hate for Shae imo.
babylonrisenQuote Reply
Steve Reynolds,
He doesn’t so anything… in my opinion, the most overrated character in the series.
Damryn of DorneQuote Reply
Brad,
Late to this thread. I totally agreed with you. I am not afraid to be called a moron or a nitpicker, so here is my take.
I think part of the problem is that WiC.net is great in getting a lot of behind the scene news and has through its existence developed lots of connections with people involved with the show. Many longtime posters took pride in that. (One of the reasons why we spend so much times here.)
When someone raise a question or concern about the show’s direction or casting choice, I believe many took personal offense and felt the need to shut down the discussion or summary dismiss those who posted the questions.
From what I gathered, Steel_Wind has been a very valuable contributor in the westeros forum. He is definitely not a troll or nitpicker. He does have strong opinions like I do and he didn’t agree with most of my speculation or subscribed beliefs. Nothing wrong with that.
I, too, think the casting of Natalie Dormer will take Margerey Tyrell in a slightly different direction. I do have to admit that she could play much younger based on her latest photo in imdb.com. Doesn’t mean that it won’t be awkward watching her with Joffrey or Tommen together down the line. Maybe the makeup person will do a fantastic job by then.
As for “In Nina Gold we Trust”, no doubt that she has done an absolutely amazing job in casting almost all the characters. However, one could still disagree with the choice of Renly and Shae (I think that is more a D&D marketing decision than hers). The casting of Gethin Anthony as Renly drastically changes the personality of Renly as depicted in the book. I am very interested to see what kind of changes D&D will make regarding the dynamcis between Brienne and Renly and that of Stannis and Renly. It remains to be seen whether it will pay off just like the one with Mark Addy.
SugarVampireQuote Reply
Things are going a little bit out of hand, methinks.
Is N. Dormer older than the character in the books, thus older than everybody’s mental picture of Margaery? Yes. That’s why most people are expressing their concerns.
Is N. Dormer an able actress that impress the (excellent) casting team and the producers enough to think of her as a perfect Margaery? Obviously, yes.
Dose she look the part? She can pass as a early-20′s girl. So, she looks like an aged-up Margaery, just like Bean was an aged-up Ned and Madden is an aged-up Robb.
Does anybody really care? I really think not. Most of the comments have been on the “she’s a little too old… but I think she’ll be real good!” type. Come on. Read the thread again. We’re really all in the same spot here.
So, chill up, people. It’s weird to be arguing about something we all agree on!
PD: as I said, Evangeline McEwan for QofT!
CaedesQuote Reply
Right On. Lol. I guess that is what is great about this site.
SugarVampireQuote Reply
I like the casting: Natalie Dromer is a great actress (loved her in the Tudors) and a very good addiction to the series.
Yep, she will look older than her counterpart in the books but I suppose that’s deliberate and that they want her to look mature.
I mean, maybe Marge will be a player of the game in the TV series and not just a pawn in the QoT machinations. In some way they could merge the charachter of Margery with Olenna and it would be an economic choice that could work very well for the AFfC season.
EllroyQuote Reply
And, btw, I LOVE the direction they’re taking with Shae in the show.
She’s a challenging woman for Tyrion, very different from your everyday whore, and he finds that intriguing. Makes more sense for him to fall for her this way, IMHO
CaedesQuote Reply
Caedes,
But it would make it seem a bit off when she betrays Tyrion, because in the books the reason she does that is because she’s weak and afraid of Cersei.
Mirri MazQuote Reply
No problem with the age. Remember that Ned is in his mid-30s in the book and nobody complained about Sean Bean being too old.
amokQuote Reply
You guys can ignore me all you want but calling someone a “troll” because they voice a legitimate, logical, on-topic point about the show is a little bit harsh.
I don’t speak for all of us who are worried about her age, but I personally like the actress. She can definitelly pull Margaery (or any other role) off, as far as acting is concerned. I like the fact that her name and face can bring some Tudors fans to GoT. I imagined Margaery different, lookwise, but I don’t care about that at all and I think I’ll get used to Natalie. Not to mention that casting her in Margaery’s role may mean more screen time given to the Tyrells, which can’t make me happier.
*But* Natalie is really, really a lot older than Margaery is supposed to be. It’s not unusual that an older actress plays someone younger, but the age difference is huge, and Natalie doesn’t look that much younger than she is, esspecially in her latest pictures. Her “age” shows. 30 year old women have a certain maturity in their appearance that young girls lack. Natalie can easily pass for 25 year old, but that’s it. She can’t be compared to a 20-25 year old actress playing someone in her late teens. And she won’t be getting any younger as the seasons pass.
I’m not saying that this completely ruins season 2 for me. Seriously, that’s bullshit. But it’s a legitimate concern and I don’t see why I’m not allowed to voice it without someone calling me a troll or a nitpicker (nitpicking would be if I complained about the color of her eyes or something equally stupid). Am I not allowed to worry that our 30 year old actress won’t be able to pass for 18-20 year old Margaery in next seasons? What, we’re only allowed to worship the show and every little thing about it around here?
raliaQuote Reply
When did so many people on this site start acting like this? If I wanted to hear namecalling, condescension and pointless bickering I’d be having dinner with my family. Oh well, when in Rome…O, hai!!! I herd nina gold likez natalee D, so i luv natalee D :))))) GOT=bestest!!!!!
ps i can hz longclaw?!?!!? lulz
okthnxbaixoxo
JDPQuote Reply
It’s just struck me that about half the female casting choices have had me thinking “What a great choice…for a completely different character”.
When Lena Headey was cast, I saw my ideal Catelyn become Cersei.
When Emilia Clarke was cast, I thought that with her colouring she’d be the perfect Margaery.
When Natalia Tena was cast on the strength of her charismatic line readings, I thought “Now we’ll have to find a different Asha.”
And now we have Natalie Dormer, a popular choice for Melisandre, cast as someone no-one would have expected.
I’m with the “In Nina Gold We Trust” people. I’ll reserve judgment on any casting that seems a little off.
The DarkStar,
Thirding, fourthing, whatever this. I’ve been hoping for a post-mortem thread where we can rate the season as a whole, give our best moments, favourite moments, -gates and so on.
Sansa’s LemoncakesQuote Reply
Also, I’m the first to laugh at the various -gates but the defensive tone of some of the posters in the thread is at odds with the level of discourse the critics of this casting are engaging in. The troll posts, the “Michelle Fairley is an old hag”-type posts, the “WOOF WOOF MOTHERFUCKERS” hatred posts seem to have resulted in a backlash the other way where any criticism is painted as “pointless nitpicking”, fairly or unfairly
Sansa’s LemoncakesQuote Reply
Thx. But you don’t mean what you said with your last line, do you? When my 2-year Polly died of feline leukaemia, I’d have sold myself on the street to gather the money if there had been a cure.
(hey, if I’m going psycho I might as well go all the way.)
Wow, minorities are really held in high esteem these parts. I’m ready to pick a fight, I do it all the time in real life anyways. Winter, you could open a NOBODY CARES FOR BLACKFISH thread and watch me flame around for entertainment, how about it?
BLOODY-GATE.
Blackfish BluesQuote Reply
Game of Tudors :D
KosinvaQuote Reply
My first thought, when I heard of Natalie Dormer being cast as Margery, was “Fantstic. A truly capable actress who can make the book character grow, and also does smokin’ hot nude scenes!” (Yes, I am that shallow.)
My second thought was, “Gosh, she must be older than I would have expected for being cast in that role. She can surely pull it off, though.”
Third was that given the combination of this casting and the way we saw Finn Jones play Loras in the shaving scene with Renly, they are playing up the Tyrells as schemers even more than in the books. Soon thereafter that I’ll bet Margery’s part in the books continues to grow, for a while at least. By the end of AFfC, she is one of the few characters left in King’s Landing for whom most of the readers have any affection.
A great added scene would be Margery comforting Loras after the events in the tent. Her role in ACoK, even with expanded scenes such as with Littlefinger (of whom we must see more too), will be limited, but the producers would be dead crazy to squander the talents of an actress like Natalie Dormer.
Another thing may be that they want more potential supporting actress nominees for next season. Masie’s role will be Lead in ACoK; and despite the striking and unexpected depth that Sophie Turner showed us in the finale, I don’t think that Sansa in ACoK is apt to generate such a nomination. Catelyn, maybe.
Oh, and before I forget about it — Oprah Winfrey for Mel. And Chris Lee as Qyburn. And someone really good for Gilly.
Maester TcostQuote Reply
Blackfish Blues,
haha, but seriously, the blackfish has a cool sounding name… but what does he do? nothing much as far as I can tell… maybe in DwD he will become a faceless man names Jaqen Forel and kill Cersei, Bran and Daenerys in one chapter… but until then… over-ratedddddddddddd.. :D
Damryn of DorneQuote Reply
For me its annoying because none of the “too old” comments bring anything interesting to the discussion. The posters defending the less obvious casting choices are at least coming up with possible reasons why the change was made. You may not think that complaining about her age is nitpicking but it tells me that you’re still treating it as a just a filmed version of the book instead of the adaptation it is.
Take the Renly casting. A lot of people didn’t like it including me but they did change the character and cast someone who could play the character D&D wrote not the GRRM’s. I, personally, think its a change for the better. They made Renly into someone who is qualified to be King (just not legally) not just a gay version of Robert.
Edited: because I don’t know how to place spoilers apparently
cersei’s ladypartsQuote Reply
Damryn of Dorne,
Muahahahaaa, you asked for it. Copied from a previous post:
IMPORTANCE OF THE BLACKFISH
1. Storytelling level: short answer, we don’t know yet. We’ll know by ADWD, probably even later. AFFC ends with several characters, Blackfish included, on a cliffhanger. If GRRM has decided he’s created too much material (my main fear) he’ll slash left and right in JK Rowling style: Davos and Brienne will die offscreen and the Blackfish will be said to have drowned in the Red Fork, never to be mentioned again. Or, he is Azor Ahai reborn. How can we tell? Right now, asking what the Blackfish contributes to the story is like having read only AGOT and wondering what Tywin or Shae contribute to the story.
2. Texture level: What did Jory bring? Ser Rodrik? Shagga? They help create a believable and interesting world. This of course varies widely with personal opinion (Tully hatred is almost as lively as Sansa and Brienne hatred, it seems). But from a purely “picturesque” level, I can’t imagine how D&D could pick and choose and say “we keep this one and not that one”. Until now, they’ve kept a lot of cool characters we were sure they’d cut.
Speaking of Jory, one of my favourite scenes of the show is the Jaime-Jory exchange in front of King Robert’s bedchamber. Can you imagine what a similar scene with the Blackfish would do for NCW while Jaime is a prisoner in Riverrun? Not to mention to prepare the famous AFFC dialogue?
3. “Statement” level: the reason why a lot of people like the Blackfish is that he embodies a rebellion of some kind against conventions. Once again, this reminds me of JKR’s Lupin. He was an inspiring outcast in books 3 and 5. Then he was wimpified in the movies (no offence to David Thewlis who was perfect, it was the way he was written – and dressed) and reduced to off-screen gossip in the last 2 books.
BTW, for the same reason I think combining Brynden and Edmure would be quite offensive to the very Blackfish concept. I guess the combination would have to be a stubborn but younger Brynden who gets married off to Roslin Frey. To me this sounds like, for example, “Let’s combine Brienne and Jeyne Westerling.” The point of the character would be lost. Better cut him off entirely. But please let us know.
End of quote. Winter, PLEASE, open a Blackfish thread so we can stop tainting the lovely Margaery thread with these discussions about old scruffy disposable warriors.
BLOODY-GATE
Blackfish BluesQuote Reply
sjwenings,
Actually, in the 16th century Katherine of Aragon was referred to as old and infirm in her early thirties (and not just by the husband who wanted to get rid of her). Even modern medicine admits that women in their thirties have a harder time conceiving, and before modern medicine it was best for women to attempt childbearing in their prime, i.e., late teens and early 20′s.
I’m not saying this is terrible casting, since the point is to cast an actor, not just a stick figure or a face. But I am saying that this seems like a very strange choice to me.
ElaineQuote Reply
We’re not talking about life-spans, we’re talking about childbearing age. That doesn’t have anything to do with life expectancy; it has to do with overall health and prenatal care, both of which were quite poor in the Dark Ages, no matter how long people lived.
ElaineQuote Reply
ralia — most people around here tend to enjoy tooting the collective HBO/D&D horn, even though they’ve made a fair share of really bad decisions with this show, and when someone goes against that grain they get touchy about it. They could’ve cast Betty White as Margaery and people would be defending the decision.
flintQuote Reply
Yeah, that’s how I feel too. I really liked her alot in the Tudors and I think she’s a beautiful girl, but she is a tad too old even if she does have the pixie-esque quality to her face. Even if they are aging her up, it seems she’s still a bit above that mark. Shouldn’t Margery be around 16-17? I don’t see why they can’t get someone closer to that age. Maybe with the proper make-up, lighting etc, they will still achieve that, who knows.
I’ve been so happy with the cast so far and I do like ND, so I am just going to trust the crew for now and assume they got the best gal for the role and hope that she makes Margery come alive.
The Winter RoseQuote Reply
flint,
Generalisations without backing it up and a fatuous attempt at humour. Well argued. You belong with the soundbite politics of today. A great addition to any debate.
Steve ReynoldsQuote Reply
BTW, has anyone read the interview of Westeros with the VFX people?
KnurkQuote Reply
Blackfish Blues, I’m waiting to hear the interview for myself that supposedly has D&D implying that the Blackfish has been cut. I will make a post on it with their exact quote.
flint, I find comments like this hilarious because I think as a group we tend to be overly critical of almost every decision made by the production team. And what’s worse, we apparently suck at making criticisms because the majority of the time they turn out to be completely unfounded. Just look at the Curtain Call threads and see all the people eating crow. But the assertion that these boards are just a D&D and HBO lovefest is absurd. I can tell you that they sure don’t think that.
Winter Is ComingQuote Reply
SugarVampire, Caedes, ralia,
I think you’re all on point.
Blackfish Blues,
:( I’m with you every step of the way. The Blackfish role is great for texture, and I foresee any actor filling it as becoming an immediate fan favorite, which in turn would make a great marketing tool. I’m going to hope that they do cast a Brynden and he gets to be something like Robb’s Hand, but it’s really painful waiting for a definitive answer, whatever it may be.
LinaQuote Reply
Very excited that Natalie is in, she was awesome as Anne in the Tudors esp. in season 2. I actually suggested her as Mel but ok this is great too. She is a tad old alright but ok they might age up Margaery up a little bit too so that’s ok. She is pretty (and not afraid to take her clothes off if necessary)
Great choice!
Edit: just realised but if her character doesnt uhm get out of a certain situation (and i dont think she wont because thats how GRRM writes, she is clearly innocent so she dies)… does that mean she has some weard fetish for getting her head chopped off??
how do i add spoiler-tags for the above??
KroketQuote Reply
Winter Is Coming,
thank you, and I hope I’m not coming across bitter at you guys, who have been awesome every step of the way. My gripe is with TPTB who seem to approach such an important topic in such a cavalier way. Or with myself, who still consider it important…
Lina,
WORD. Especially the “painful” part.
BLOODY-GATE!
Blackfish BluesQuote Reply
Loooooove this casting news!! :D
Grant GouldQuote Reply
Blackfish Blues,
Not necessarily. He could be the same age, firmly established as someone who’s chosen not to marry, but who relents in order to “take one for the team” (perhaps giving Robb a suitable dressing-down in the process). He’d be marrying a much younger woman, but it’s not like that’s unusual in this world, and it might be refreshing to see such a pairing in which the man is respectful of his wife. The story could maintain most of his character in this setup, even including his indeterminate sexual orientation, as well as keeping his excellent confrontation with Jaime in season 4/5.
Just saying that there could be a way to do it. No one’s that crazy about Edmure anyway, but lots of people love the Blackfish.
Maxwell JamesQuote Reply
Kroket, don’t post spoilers if you don’t know howe to blacken them, seriously. The spoiler button is right there when you write your comment, please delete it.
KnurkQuote Reply
Kroket, I fixed your post. In future, all you have to do to spoiler tag something is highlight it and then press the spoiler button. As Knurk says, best thing to do if you accidentally publish a comment with unmarked spoilers is to delete it. I can then add the spoiler tags myself and republish it once I’m online.
But one of the points of contention in that confrontation is that Edmure is being held captive by Jaime. If Edmure becomes the Blackfish, then who will fill Edmure’s role? The conversation loses all its tension if Jaime isn’t holding the head of House Tully captive.
Winter Is ComingQuote Reply
I’ll be the happiest person on earth if they manage to pull out such a stunt, but… the one you describe, apart from age, is Renly, not the “Blackmure”.
I quite liked Edmure, I felt he had potential. No one is born a badass except Rickon. :D The problem, once again, is that we are in the middle of the road regarding the book saga, and we don’t know what part Edmure might play in the future, if any.
Blackfish BluesQuote Reply
Lina,
Thank you, thank you and THANK YOU!
You essentially took my thoughts and put them out there in the most eloquent way possible. I heartily agree with all you said.
Thank you very much for a very well reasoned and well presented post.
The Winter RoseQuote Reply
Blackfish Blues,
I second the importance of Edmure (or at least the awesomeness of his character). Despite the fact that he has no POVs he always felt strikingly real to me. He’s one of few characters with a real sense of humour to him, and as a goofy youthfulness about him that I liked (it played off Cat very well).
I think removing either Edmure or the Blackfish would be an unfortunate choice. I feel very very similarly about Pod. I’ll be legitimately disappointed if he isn’t cast, as he adds a lot to the flavour of the story.
Steve Hugh WestenraQuote Reply
Also. Season 1 has finished airing, so…time to start posting again!
Steve Hugh WestenraQuote Reply
Steve Hugh Westenra,
yes! Edmure is the average guy (like Pod) and we know how GRRM likes to subvert tropes, making avereage people the heroes of his stories (see Dunk). In a way, the Blackfish is the same – a guy who is not young handsome attractive anymore (if not for some demented fans) but he does his thing, he has his secrets, he has so much to tell.
Problem is, these guys are the first to get axed by authors in a pinch (JKR). Sadly, it seems that ultimately the ones who make it are the larger-than-life ones, those who more closely fit the hero stereotype.
In our case, Dany, Jon, Tyrion – I love them all, but don’t tell me they are average guys. Then again, fantasy was never about average guys. Then again, GRRM was all about subverting tropes, but it seems he’s looking more at time, space & money now.
I hope I’m wrong.
BLOODY-GATE!
Blackfish BluesQuote Reply
Well I was planning to read all the comments before I commented, just to make sure I’m not restating too much, but jeez there’s a lot.
I’m very pleased that they’ve gotten such a big name, and I’m putting my faith in the casting people again. As we’ve seen from the first season, they know what they’re doing, so I’m not too worried. My only complaint about Natalie is that I know her so well from the Tudors, I worry that I won’t be able to NOT see her as Anne Boleyn, who’s quite a different character from Margary. If she’s as good an actress as I think though, it should be fine. Can’t wait to see Stannis, Melisandre and Brienne!
Cat of the CanalsQuote Reply
Blackfish Blues,
One criticism of the first season I have is the inevitability of the sexposition. If it could be broken up more in season 2, and we get more backstory delivered in witty conversation that doesn’t involve foreground or background sex that would be great – and characters like the Blackfish could make that a lot of fun. I’m even hoping we get to see some brotherly affection and conversation between Tywin and Kevan (not THAT kind!). Using great supporting characters as foils for that kind of exposition ought to help the story, keep fans on side and snooker the smirks and eye rolling when yet another Ros et al Scene crops up. I’m not looking forward to Alfie’s ass on screen again when he’s rogering the captain’s daughter. Where is it written that there has to be nudity in every episode?
Steve ReynoldsQuote Reply
Feh, I’ll just be happy (and I’m dating myself here) if they don’t cast Vicki Lawrence as the Queen of Thorns. Although admitidly I could easily see the QoT using Vicki’s ‘Mama’s death stare.’
The Hand’s JerkQuote Reply
Wow, some of you have short memories. Remember the Mark Addy furore? his performance was one of the most praised by the ebd of the series. I’m assuming after Natalies first episode you’ll all be posting about how amazing she is and pretending this thread never existed. Like you did for Mark, and Michelle.
Love the site as a news source but I’m so uncomfortable here now. We know for a fact some actors have read this stuff and I’m ashamed of this fandom and the inevitable offensive fanwank that accompanies every decision. Constructive criticism yes, cruel insults no. These are real people we are discussing.
Hope some of you manage to enjoy S2 despite the actresses ‘fat faces’ or whatever. Toodles!
(Inb4 ‘no one cares’)
Gytha OggQuote Reply
Alwyn,
I totally agree about Rufus for Stannis! And I have always struggled to get a good mental image of Margaery, but as soon as I saw this news about Natalie, I thought “Of course!” She is older than Margaery in the books, but I think she can pull it off. I loved The Tudors, and was hoping she would do something else. Margaery is a character that sneaks up on you, which I love. Can’t wait to see her with Cersei.
Here Be DragonsQuote Reply
Steve Reynolds,
LOL, totally agree. I was disappointed that poor Kevan wasn’t even deemed worthy of an intro (thus becoming a favourite of mine). I did like Roz’s final appearance because for a moment she looked like a real person bored with an unwanted sexual encounter. But for the rest, IMHHHO, she was a cardboard character, and it’s sad to think about who might have taken her place for the sake of exposition.
And that’s why I say that chars like Jory, for instance, did a lot for main heroes like Jaime, and that in the future there may be other colourful chars who highlight the personality of the heroes. Frankly, what has Ser Rodrik done to warrant his inclusion in the series, beside having an awesome beard (which I totally support) and standing beside Cat?
So yes, FOR NOW what the show did feels like an appalling double standard, excluding a char like the Blackfish, even as an exposition device, in favour of more “viewer-friendly” chars like Roz. Once again. I REALLY hope I’ll be proven wrong.
Blackfish BluesQuote Reply
Gytha Ogg, to be fair, only one poster criticized her for being unattractive. Nearly every other commenter said she was beautiful or sexy or hot but worried she might be too old for the part. Which is a perfectly legitimate concern, even if you or I disagree with it, and not at all tasteless or cruel.
I do agree with the rest of your post though. People around here have short memories for how wrong they were about many season one castings and continue to make the same mistakes when criticizing season two castings. And I’m sure if we get to season 3 or 5 or even 7, the same thing will happen then as well. It’s the nature of the beast.
Winter Is ComingQuote Reply
The Hand’s Jerk,
Very funny!
Here Be DragonsQuote Reply
John Aspler,
POD for the win! He should be there hands down. Also, me likie Natalie Dormer. She is beautiful to be sure but there is that something else that makes her absolutely stunning ! She should be great playing off Cersei and although a smaller character we actually see a lot of her and she should have a very large role in the coming books as she has just faced off with Cersei AND WON!
TheFacelessManQuote Reply
Exactly!! Can’t wait to see who they get for the Queen of Thorns. Maggie Smith would be perfect, but that may be too farfetched and wishful thinking.
Margaery ends up being revealed as a smart, cunning and ambitious young woman. Smarter than Cersei, in fact, the last we see of them. By the end of four books, she has been a Queen to THREE kings. Not very long for Joffrey, but she was perfectly set up to marry Tommen. (I guess they better have Tommen grow up a little more, huh?:-) The Tyrells quietly move in to push the Lannisters out of power, and have done so quite effectively. In fact, some of the machinations Cersie deploys in the fourth book kind of reminded me about the set up and trial for Ann Boleyn. (accusations of multiple lovers with a set-up to get proof, a close brother, questions about whether or not she was set up necessarily implies she was fully innocent of the charges.) So now I am loving the choice for Natalie even more!!!
Here Be DragonsQuote Reply
I believe there is significant opportunity to expand Margarey’s role in the 2nd and 3rd series. The first season writers have shown us the benefit of breaking away from the restriction of the point of view chapters and showing scenes that could not be shown in the books . Littlefinger is probably the biggest beneficiary of this change and had many scenes that were not in the books.
The writers will be looking for more for Littlefinger to do – he disappears for much of the 2nd and 3rd books and as a popular and fun character, the show fans want to see him on the screen. Isn’t Littlefinger the person who brokers the deal for Jeoffrey and Margarey to marry? Showing the scenes of him going to Highgarden to work out the deal would be a great chance to give the Tyrells more screentime and show something that would be interesting to see.
Renly’s story also takes place much in the background and an expanded role for Margarey creates the possibility of seeing their first meeting, wedding, and such.
All of this doesn’t detour from the novels – it just builds upon them and honors them. I trust the writers and am very happy with this choice of actress.
brianQuote Reply
I loved Natalie Dormer on “The Tudors”, she was so freaking hot and talented, charismatic, dominant on screen and so believable that I had quite a hard time seeing her beheading scene. I still have a hard time stomaching that particular episode.
So, YES, a good call! Well Natalie, or Ms. Dormer, welcome to the world of “A Song Of Ice And Fire” and HBO’s “Game Of Thrones”…looking forward to see your work on the show!
loco73Quote Reply
Yan,
Every one is a little older on the show then from the books aren’t they??
Felix R. GonzalezQuote Reply
GaR,
notice the LOL & Haha
so don’t read too much into it.
metalgoddessambQuote Reply
Here Be Dragons,
Beware of spoilers!!
By quoting my post you remove teh black marks!!!
WiC, PLEASE FIX THAT! :-)
CaedesQuote Reply
Blackfish Blues,
Concerning Edmure, Blackfish, etc: Exactly. I think they’re part of what makes the books so much more than an average fantasy though (the idea that these ordinary-ish characters can be there and be like normal people and yet also be in the middle of everything, because really, that’s what life is). I also love the mystery of the Blackfish, which I’ve come to appreciate more and more the more crackpot theories I read on Westeros, ahaha.
Concerning Ros: UGH. But yes, I agree that she was MUCH better in the Pycelle scene, when I actually saw it. She didn’t seem so campy and unrealistic in that one. And yes, I would much rather have had some more secondary character development that helped explain things than endless sexposition with Ros. It wouldn’t have been such a big deal, but the clunkiness of it always seemed to lower the classiness of the show somehow. It made the sex scenes less well done and exposition ridiculous. It makes me sad to think that the flashbacks with Aerys were filmed but not included, when we had all of this time spent on Ros sleeping with every male character in existence. D:
Steve Hugh WestenraQuote Reply
too old, was annoying in The Tudors, and her r’s sound like w’s. going to put my faith in the casting people, they have been spot on so far.
westeQuote Reply
Steve Hugh Westenra,
Yeah, one of the few gripes I have about season one is all the sexposition. I actually like Ros as a character, but I think they overdid it a bit. Regarding the Aerys flashback — ugh. Very disappointing to know that scene is out there somewhere on film and we didn’t get to see it. I’m sure they had their reasons, but I would definitely like to hear what they were.
Eric BigpictureQuote Reply
http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2011/06/24/game-of-thrones-season-2-casting/
How many people are going to read this article and (for a second or two) think James McAvoy was cast in Season 2???
DaveBQuote Reply
Steve Hugh Westenra,
yes, I loved Roz in that scene, because for a moment, to me, she was real. Isn’t it all ASOIAF is about? Real stuff with real people?