We’re excited to bring you a series of WinterIsComing.net exclusive interviews with members of the Game of Thrones cast. Kicking things off is our interview with fan-favorite Natalia Tena. Natalia plays the character Osha in the show. The Osha of the novels is a hardened 50-something wildling woman, so when they cast the beautiful Tena in the role, some fans were left scratching their heads. But so good was her take on the character that none can doubt now that she was a great choice for the role. The fans even voted her the Best Supporting Actress of season one in our WiCnet Awards and George R. R. Martin has gone out of his way to praise her work several times.
But that’s not all Natalia is known for. She is perhaps best known for her role as Nymphadora Tonks in the Harry Potter films. She is also a talented musician and her band, Molotov Jukebox, has been slowly building a fan base playing gigs in the UK and is set to release their second EP on May 21st.
Nat took some time out of her busy schedule of touring with her band and filming a movie in Spain to answer a few of my burning questions…
Winter is Coming: I know you can’t get into any details, but how was filming for season two? How do you think this season will compare to last season?
Natalia Tena: Funny, cold, plus got to meet some more cast that joined season 2 and they are absolute gems!!!
WiC: You have a lot of scenes opposite Isaac Hempstead-Wright who plays Bran Stark. Tell us a little about working with Isaac.
NT: He’s a dude!! He’s attentive, focused and playful. I think he’s a banging person.
WiC: Last season the direwolves were played by real dogs, and while they were cute, they reportedly had trouble following direction. This season they’ve decided to use CGI wolves instead [Ed. note: since asking this question, it has come to light that they may be using a combination of CGI, animatronics and live animals]. Which is harder, acting with real animals or imaginary ones?
NT: Last year it was tricky working with them because in scenes where the dogs were meant to growl at you they would instead come up and lick your face!!! They where beautiful!! I got to have practice with CGI doing Harry Potter so it wasn’t as hard the 2nd time.
WiC: Osha has a very distinct hairstyle, I like to call it “wildling chic.” So is that your real hair or just a wig?
NT: Hahahaha, wilding chic!!! It was my hair! They back combed the hell out of it so I would look like crazy medieval bag lady! The best is when I didn’t have time to sort it out before getting on a flight to Berlin to play with my band Molotov Jukebox when we supported The Kooks last November and I would get amazing looks and stares from airport security!
WiC: You played Nymphadora Tonks in the Harry Potter films. With Game of Thrones now sky rocketing in popularity, when out in public, are you recognized more for Tonks or more for Osha?
NT: I’m hardly ever recognised!! Sometimes I’ll get someone [that will] stare at me and ask ‘do I know you from somewhere?’ to which I answer ‘the pub?’
WiC: We totally appreciate the fact that you did a video thank-you for winning Favorite Supporting Actress on WinterIsComing.net. Did it surprise you that Osha resonated so strongly with the fans?
NT: YES!! Didn’t think that anyone would even notice me!!!
WiC: George R. R. Martin was quoted as saying you were one of those rare people who had played her character different from the one he had written in his books, and in a positive way. So much so he’s thought about subtly changing the book Osha to have a few of your character’s qualities. What is your response to that? And how did you approach the character in your audition and then the actual filming?
NT: I’D NEVER HEARD THAT!! I’m so chuffed he said that, wow!! When I went to the audition I wore a long scraggy brown dress I had and put a garland of ivy I had found at a festival on my head and went in thinking what sort of animal she would be. I thought a leopard, controlled and ready to pounce, so that’s what I went for! I’m so lucky they liked it!
WiC: When season one was airing, you said you read all 4 books. Have you had a chance to read the 5th book yet? Do you think having read all the books has helped you in playing your role?
NT: I BOUGHT IT IMMEDIATELY!! I love the books, I literally cannot wait till the next book!!!! Reading the books definitely helps you get into the mindset of the world of Game of Thrones and therefore massively helps you slot your character into that universe.
WiC: You are very passionate about music. Where did your love of music come from? What other bands/musicians are you a fan of?
NT: My love of music comes from as long as I remember. I begged my mum to learn piano for a year when I was 4, she wanted to make sure I was serious and I wanted to be Chuck Berry when I grew up!!! We were a very musical family, my mum would play guitar and her, my dad and aunt would sing and harmonize!! I love Tom Waits, Amy Winehouse, Aretha Franklin, Otis Reading, Buena Vista Social club.
WiC: So if given the choice between super-stardom as an actress or a musician, which would you choose?
NT: Both, simultaneously!!
WiC: Any other upcoming projects of yours we should be on the lookout for?
NT: Our EP release on the 21st of May and on the acting side I’m currently filming in Seville and Madrid ‘The Blind Man of Seville’ the first in the epic criminal series, I’m absolutely loving it, plus the cities are so beautiful, it makes you want to weep!!
Winter Is Coming: Thanks so much to Natalia for the interview! We’re really looking forward to seeing more of her as Osha in season two. In addition, you can see her in the film Bel Ami, alongside fellow Potter alum Robert Pattinson, which opens tomorrow in select theaters. Lastly, be sure to check out her band, Molotov Jukebox. Below is the video for their song “I Need It” and you can follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
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45 Comments
Nice interview, but:
Gimme ma Reeeeeds;)
One can only hope that they are the “gems”, but I fear those wil be rather the Ironborn…
Chris77Quote Reply
I like Osha, but I think the Reeds are a vital part, I think they teach bran how to feel the love and friendship of followers. A vital skill he may need depending on his exploits and possible exposure as the new K.I.T.N
Harry The HeirQuote Reply
The question I’d like to see asked various members of the cast, should you do more of these, “Do you think your character will live to the series end?”
Obviously, don’t ask it of people for whom the answer is known.
Chris BeasleyQuote Reply
I already prefer TV Osha over the book Osha and the Reeds combined.
Oi!Quote Reply
Wow, nice get WiC. Count me as one who likes TV Osha better than book Osha (of course how can you not). I still have a feeling the Reeds will show up at a later point. It will be disappointing if not but I think Ms Awesome can handle those parts if asked to.
HexonxQuote Reply
Harry The Heir,
I think the Reeds give the story a different dynamic (i.e. children teaching Bran, rather than an adult).
But, whatever. Natalia Tena is a great actress, so I’m not too worried. Plus, it’s possible we will see the Reeds in S3, so there’s still hope.
Varamyr FourskinsQuote Reply
But what are her thoughts on indigo?
Sansa’s LemoncakesQuote Reply
she’s a joy!
despite the Reeds, I really hope she gets more screentime thie season ^^
Thiago SlashQuote Reply
that video was wacky
bigswergQuote Reply
I didn´t realize she´s so beautiful (that first picture is stunning)… and she has good taste in music also.
I love wildlings so if she must replaced the Reeds it´ll be fine by me I guess.
andreaQuote Reply
Ha ha!
Love her.
One month.
Mike ChairQuote Reply
It’s always lovely to hear from Natalia Tena, she’s a gem. And although I still have a soft spot for Little Grandpa Reed, I feel less and less sad about their absence.
MachaQuote Reply
The Reeds are the equivalent of Tom Bombadil in LOTR.Present in the books but not really required for narrative direction.All their input can easily come from another character – the producers seem to think so too.Everything Bran learns from the Reeds can be just as easily learnt from the TV version of Osha – there are signs of this in the first series.What happens to Rickon seems very much up in the air as far as the books are concerned and so is probably not a consideration for the writers of the show just yet.My gut feeling is that once the 2nd series starts the Reeds won’t be missed.
zerowolfQuote Reply
She wanted to be Chuck Berry when she grew up? She’s aces in my book!
John WQuote Reply
An interview with Carice van Houten: http://www.vulture.com/2012/02/black-butterflies-and-nude-scenes.html Looks like they’re ending the Davos storyline by having Mel throw him in the slammer, as in early ASOS.
VirtusQuote Reply
I LOVE YOU NATALIA! Thank you for a MUCH better Osha than in the books! Every scene you were in was one of my favorites.
Handmaiden of DanyQuote Reply
Virtus,
well, it seems so, indeed. we shall see.
and she totally nailed this question! haha
“The roles of both Ingrid and Melisandre require a fair bit of nudity — unless you’re not naked while doing dark magic scenes after all? How do you feel about sexposition?
It’s weird: We kill everyone in films, we see blood, we see war, we see killing machines, but you cannot see a breast that your mother has. It needs to be in an elegant way, of course. But who has their bra on during sex? It’s so much easier if you just let it all loose. Let it hang. Let people see some flesh. It’s not necessarily my favorite thing to do; it’s not like I’m running around with my bra off on every set, or going, “Hey, when can I take my bra off?” But I’m lucky enough to still be young enough where it’s okay. I could understand not wanting me to do that if I were older. But if you’re making love in a film, you gotta take the bra off. Same if you’re birthing a shadow.”
Thiago SlashQuote Reply
Great interview, what a really sweet down to earth person Natalia comes across as.
The KingslayerQuote Reply
My thoughts too. I’d say she’s pro-Indigo, but it wouldn be nice to know for sure :)
purplejillyQuote Reply
She is brilliant as Osha, I can see why George would change his character to be more like her.
Rukie44Quote Reply
THIS!!!!!
Handmaiden of DanyQuote Reply
Great job Winter!
Natalia seems such a cool person.
Love the song, btw.
The RabbitQuote Reply
She gets a bit of extra cred in my book for doing WiC interviews.
Great interpretation of a somewhat anonymous character in the books. Looking forward to see (hopefully) more of her in season 2.
sjweningsQuote Reply
Damn, she looks great! I want my Reeds too, and as interesting as TV Osha is, I could only hope D&D will eventually bring in the reeds (or at least combine them into one character).
JessQuote Reply
Love Natalia Tena…this girl is a riot, plus she is excellent as Osha! I always remember years ago when I first saw her in “About A Boy” and knew since then that she was a cool chick! Plus the fact that she is of Spanish origin is even better!
Natalia eres un tesoro! Te apreciamos mucho y gracias por tu trabajo, por tu talento y por tu originalidad no solo en “Juego De Tronos” pero tambien en los demas proyectos que tienes! Tambien queria anadir que tu musica es excelente! Suerte con todo y hasta la proxima!
loco73Quote Reply
ATTENTION ALL CANADIANS (meh and Americans too…LOL) the man himself has confirmed that he’ll be coming to the true North…on his Not-A-Blog site see below:
http://grrm.livejournal.com/
and
http://georgerrmartin.com/appearances.html
The North does remember indeed….
loco73Quote Reply
zomg who did you interview?!?!?!?!?
userjQuote Reply
loco73,
Sweet! Just the right time when I am broke after paying for my vacation this August and the fact that I live in Ottawa.
Enjoy yourself!
Joshua TaylorQuote Reply
Great interview! :)
Love the music video too!
Grant GouldQuote Reply
Joshua Taylor,
LOL…I hope I can go, with my crazy work schedule, I’ll have to take time off and travel to Toronto…perhaps…Plus my financial status is pretty much as yours…we of the North may be true, strong and free, but we are broke as a motherf**ker!
loco73Quote Reply
Lose the Reeds and give all the added screen time to Natalia…she was just amazing in every scene…creepy, dangerous, sexy – love it!
RobbbQuote Reply
OK, this is going to sounds really dumb. I love how she pronounces her name on the Thank You WIC video she made. It just seems to roll off the tongue.
DavidQuote Reply
Another bright light in the epic casting done for this series. Tena is great. “Medieval bag lady” indeed! That’s the perfect description for Osha. Tena makes it easy to be a fan. Glad to see she has more stuff coming out musically and acting-wise too!
LangkardQuote Reply
loco73,
I blame my cousin who teaches in Scotland for marrying a Scottish girl and deciding to have the wedding in August, at the exact same time of the Summer Olympiad! You can guess what that particular event does to your average plane ticket….
That aside Scotland’s awesome and she’s a great girl and I’m the best man so I’ll just have to grin and bear it. Luckily Uncle Dalton just sent my HST cheque which Is ready to be deposited next Tuesday when a certain Blu-ray is released. Priorities right?
Joshua TaylorQuote Reply
Love the interview!!!!!! Such an interesting interview !
Natalia, Natalia, Natalia, Natalia!!!! *Acclaims*
She’s a really nice person and it’ s always a pleasure to meet her ! :)
Can’t wait seeing the season 2 of GoT and so also her last film!!
(I’dl like SO MUCH one day that she shoots in an other film with David Thewlis who is also a marvellous actor!!! Love him!)
Aurore, a French fan xxx
Guégan AuroreQuote Reply
She is a great interview, so much fun!
Ryan EQuote Reply
I see why she likes Buena Vista Social! That´s a happy video.
“Ojos más oscuros que el miedo”? Like it.
andreaQuote Reply
I dont get it… why don’t the interviewers ask the actors the more important questions that are on our minds… like.. you know.. “how big a difference is your character’s story line in the show compared to the books?”.. that way we can tease out what’s happened to the REEDS.
HERP-DERPQuote Reply
She is gorgeous, fun interview, keep them coming (next time try not to forget about indigo). I can easily live without Reeds, but would like to know when we’ll get S2 on itunes in Australia (no I don’t have cable) as I’ll probably have to avoid this site for like months after 1 April
HildegardeQuote Reply
Her take on Osha is indeed intriguing, but one way or the other I think I’m in love.
TheImp’sNoseQuote Reply
Hildegarde,
Indigo questions are going to be covered in FaBio’s future interviews, no doubt :)
Hear Me RoarQuote Reply
Yet another cast member I’d want to have a beer with. She’s so enthusiastic about everything she’s doing, I love it!
KatieQuote Reply
HERP-DERP,
Agreed, even though I liked the interview I kind of skimmed through it expecting that question would to be in there somewhere.
David TQuote Reply
Yep. I have a crush on Natalia Tena.
scott glennonQuote Reply
I love Natalia, she seems to down to earth in this interview.
Bit of a random one but has anyone noticed she’s in the new Lapalux video??
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkWWJ9W5300
Sarah GilbertQuote Reply
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