Ser Rodrik Cassel: dignified, strong, steadfast. Ron Donachie: dignified, strong, steadfast. The actor played a man not too far from himself. But that in no way diminishes his performance. Rodrik Cassel was the Stark’s rock in the sea of churning waters that is Westeros. Ron Donachie’s performance was rock solid in a way that anchored the production and made those wildly-conflicted characters around him seem all the more erratic. This was illustrated all too well in Donachie’s final scene.
But before we get to that, let’s go back to the beginning. Ron Donachie was one of the cast members brought on for the original pilot. He has been with the production for the long haul. And his passion for the show, and the book series, was evident from the very beginning. Ron attended the very first Belfast “moot” (a moot is the Ice and Fire fandom’s term for a fan gathering). Even then, only a couple months after he had been cast, he had read all of the books and was delighted to discuss the details of the series to anyone who would listen.
His performance as Rodrik was just what the show needed. Nothing too flashy (well, except for those epic whiskers); just a dependable, veteran character actor doing his work and letting others take the glory. That being said, Donachie did have his moments. One of them was in season one, where we learned that Ser Rodrik is pretty good with a sword, when he took down some mountain clansmen during the attack in the Vale.
And then there was this past week’s death scene. Wow, that death scene. We saw Ser Rodrik defiant in the face of the ultimate betrayal, even if it meant he would lose his life. And it did.
Ser Rodrik met his death the same way he lived his life, with a quiet dignity. And his last words were so poignant. First, his reassuring words to Bran, “Hush now, child. I’m off to see your father.” And then his damnation of Theon, “Gods help you, Theon Greyjoy. Now you are truly lost.” So well played by Donachie, his quiet strength in stark contrast to Theon’s frantic emotions. I don’t think there were many dry eyes at that moment, not only in Winterfell, but in living rooms everywhere.
And so we mourn the loss of another great actor and another great character. And we gather now to give Ron Donachie and Ser Rodrik Cassel the send-off he deserves.
But he is not the only Cassel we want to recognize today. Jory Cassel, played by Jamie Sives, was killed in the first season, before the Curtain Call posts became a WinterIsComing.net tradition. So we think commemorating his performance now, alongside his on-screen uncle, is the proper thing to do. Sives’ performance was much like Donachie’s, understated but not under-appreciated. He was Ned Stark’s right-hand man in King’s Landing, as Rodrik served at Catelyn Stark’s side in her travels across Westeros, and he also met a painful end at the hands of a traitor. When Sives was on-screen, he injected the role of Jory with the right amount of warmth and humor.
So we bid the Cassels farewell from this tale. (Interesting sidenote: although the Cassel family is gone from the show, the Donachie family lives on as Daniel Portman, aka Podrik Payne, is Ron Donachie’s son.) Remember this is not a thread to discuss or debate the merits of the adaptation but is here for us to pay our respects to these fallen Stark heroes and share our appreciation for these two wonderful Scottish actors, Jamie Sives and Ron Donachie.
Loading ...
119 Comments
Your braided sideburn beard will be missed!
One thing I wil add is that the Cassel deaths were certainly both incredible moments in the series! More gravity for both deaths than the books provided in my opinion…
darquemodeQuote Reply
Well done and fare thee well!
LoFQuote Reply
R.I.P. I really liked that honourable guy! He died spitting Theon Turncloak! Theon totally deserved it!
Maria BatsiouQuote Reply
Best death scene so far this season.. A great Rodrik
Mads JensenQuote Reply
Best facial hair in all of westeros
Tytos BlackwoodQuote Reply
Ron Donachie is Daniel Portman’s father?
The more you know!
CarneQuote Reply
I have to admit that I felt like someone punched me in the face when Rodrick was killed. Took me a few minutes to stop crying from the shock of the scene. Well done!
Catherine Henry-GreskovicQuote Reply
BEST. FACIAL HAIR. EVER.
Soooo glad they didn’t make him shave it, mid-Season 1.
Also, EPIC death scene. RIP, Ser Rodrik.
LexQuote Reply
RIP Ser Rodrik
Honestly that death scene may be my favorite scene out of the entire series. Great job by all. Bran, Luwin, Rodrik and of course THEON (sorry I’m a bit of a Theon fanboy) were amazing. Lets not forget the fantastic score as well.
RIP Rodrik and RIP epic mutton chops
VanderhookQuote Reply
Man, those Cassels die like champs. I wouldn’t say it’s a ringing endorsement for their battle skills, but their loyalty can’t be questioned!
And Mr. Donachie did a very nice job in his big fight scene for an older gent!
KGQuote Reply
An amazing performance overall. The execution scene was just perfect, definitely one of the better scenes of the whole series so far, imo. His character will be sorely missed.
“Gods help you Theon Greyjoy, now you are truly lost.”
Question: Anyone know if Irri is dead or simply unconscious at the end of episode 16?
markazusQuote Reply
Mayhaps this was a blessing. Had he lived, he would have gone on to be unceremoniously murdered by Ramsay Bolton.
Jaime LannisterQuote Reply
RIP Ser Rodrik and Jory!
And thank you Ron and Jamie for giving the great performances!
The RabbitQuote Reply
Give Ned our best
Nimble DickQuote Reply
Based on some recent interviews with the actress, it sounds like she is dead. :(
But we will wait until we get confirmation of that in the show, before giving any Curtain Calls for Amrita. So we may have yet another Curtain Call next week…
Winter Is ComingQuote Reply
Not sure if that is even a spoiler anymore Jaime. The expedited death of Roddrick was a brilliant way of condensing the story, and keeping even the book readers on their toes. It’s a shame that you couldn’t teach Theon how to better control his sword in moments of high emotion, but it paid out for amazing television.
DavidQuote Reply
Farewell good sir. You will be missed.
Luckily you had one of the best death scenes in TV history.
ConorQuote Reply
Great job by both actors.
Ser Rodrik’s scene was the whole episode ,for me.
ObsidianQuote Reply
“The man who passes the sentence should swing the sword, coward.” Awesome.
RIP Ser Rodrik, badass mofo to the end.
kabhalQuote Reply
….ouch, finally cought the replay last night as I’ve been on vacation and am soooo thankfull the hotel has HBO!!! That scene was brutal…how many chops was it before his head almost came off??? And Theon’s expressions as he’s doing it and the final boot to the head…..helluvah way to start an episode. Ron, you will be missed, I can only see bad things on the horizon for Robb now that you’re gone :)
KlavonivsQuote Reply
He of the epic facial hair shall be missed.
John-Michael LelievreQuote Reply
My favorite Ron Donachie moment was his grimace in the background while Cat told Robb about the deal with the Freys.
Also like his moment with the Greatjon when he was called, “Rodrik, you old dog!”
Great work Ron!
SerCountryFriedSteakQuote Reply
gosh everything about that scene was so brilliantly done, there may or may not have been some tears lol (possibly when Bran and Rickon started crying and begging) :$
midnightblack07Quote Reply
Ron Donachie really shone in his last scene, I bawled like a baby. Best of luck to him in his future projects!
I’m glad Jamie Sives also got his curtain call, Rory’s scene with Jamie was one of my favourites in S1.
Hah, I had no idea Daniel Portman is Ron Donachie’s son, looking forward to seeing more of him in future episodes!
MachaQuote Reply
Bravo and best wishes in future endeavors to both Ron Donachie and Jamie Sives. Your presence as Stark family supporters brought the sense of a solid and competent support system to the world of Winterfell.
Ron, your Ser Rodrick was all that AND a biscuit! You are unforgettable for your presence and the gravitas you brought to what may have seemed a small role at the beginning. You projected the strength, loyalty, wisdom, and skills in the deadly arts of survival that made your character leap off the page and onto the screen. Your facial hair was epic medieval badass. Your final scene brought tears to my eyes, Ser you will be missed. Now go shave.
Jamie, though your character left us last season (also in a violent manner that brought tears), we shall remember you fondly. You projected the seriousness of your character’s dedication to your Lord and his family by your facial expression alone. One need only look at you to see that Jory was not going to flinch in the face of danger, but draw the sword and fight to the death. That you were able to express that without words is a testament to your skills.
Take a bow, and know that you were appreciated by millions, and that you took part in TV history.
Bravo!
Mrs. H’gharQuote Reply
RIP, Sir Rodrik!
Ron, your performance was a treasure, conveying a powerful lot through few scenes.
Bravo – and best of luck.
LeeniebeanQuote Reply
c’east la vie
Jon ConningtonQuote Reply
Mr Donachie gave a wonderful performance.
Stoic and stern was he,
as any Master at Arms should be.
Swordplay is the art of life and death,
there should be no joy in stealing a man’s last breath.
When faced with death you do not run,
you pray for those who have it done.
fuelpaganQuote Reply
RIP Ser Rodrick. You were a great character, played by a great actor. You went out, not in style, but that was none of your fault.
That beheading-hacking-kicking scene is branded into my retina forever. It was as strong as any scene in the series, mainly due to great acting from Ron and Alfie. The scene was also a stellar example of how to successfully adapt the source material.
Ser LurkalotQuote Reply
Rodrick was always a marginal character to me, but that final scene was fantastic. Glad they got someone who made it shine.
Also enjoyed Jory’s scene with Jaime — the one where he leaves with both eyes intact.
AlanQuote Reply
Did I just wrote Rory instead of Jory?! Ugh, catching up on Doctor Who is really starting to mess with my brain.
MachaQuote Reply
Both actors deserve all the recognition they’ve received for their understated and excellent performances, but I wanted to give special mention to Jory for having my absolute favorite non-book scene from the first season; his conversation with Jaime outside of Robert’s chambers. On a re-watch that scene really jumped out at me. These two, small though their parts may have been, will be/have been missed.
Pastor_of_MuppetsQuote Reply
That scene has a very sad moment of foreshadowing, now that we know how Jory’s uncle meets his end.
Jory: “Theon? He’s a good lad.”
Jaime: “I doubt it.”
Winter Is ComingQuote Reply
Farewell stoic Ron
Your quiet strength will be missed
Your beard braids live on
Farewell Ser Jory
You had your eye on some boobs
before Jaime’s dirk
haiku_hodorQuote Reply
did anybody else cry when he told the boys to hush that he was going to see their father, i was crying so hard. but he went out like a ba; spitting, cursing at theon he went out like a man. he deserved a quicker and cleaner death then theon gave him.
KimberlyQuote Reply
My favorite Rodrik moments were the subtle layers Ron Donachie added so beautifully to the character:
- When King Robert reunites with Ned in episode 1 with the “You got fat” quip, you see Rodrik behind him with a smirk like, “The gang is back together and at it again”.
- His greeting with the Greatjon was short and subtle, but it really looked like the two had a long history together.
- After defending Cat from the hill tribes ambush, his twitch as Cat grabs his shoulder really captures the ‘bloodlust’ state of mind that occurs in battle. He really looked like he was a completely different person, a beast in defensive mode. It was spectacular.
- That death scene….
SeanQuote Reply
Their deaths are excellent examples of the spirit of the Northern people. They will stand for family duty and honor (HA!) until the very end. Even in the face of unwinnable odds, they stand by their lord and master giving quiet strength and dignity and dying as well as a man can hope. (Except Theon being choppy there…)
ConnieQuote Reply
I really miss jory cassel. One of the best side characters for me, performed really well by jamie sives.
TrevorQuote Reply
The Cassels were amazing characters. I always prefered Rodrik, instead of Jory, but both of them were truly northeners.
Jory’s death was as his life. He died defending Ned Stark, he fought for his leader and got stabbed in the eye. That was one of the death scenes that impressed me the most in season 1.
Rodrik was so honorable! Almost like Ned. Such a good counseller, always ready for the Starks. His last lines were amazing. He died as he was, a strong and dignified man. It was, so far, the best scene in Season 2. It was the scene that marked me the most, partly because it was new, but mostly because of the performance and of the impression it made.
Both of the actors are excellent. I cannot think of anyone more indicated for the role. And I am happy to know that Ron Donachie’s son is in Game of Thrones!!
RobbetQuote Reply
Godspeed, Ser Rodrik.
EdQuote Reply
Winter Is Coming,
It was also one of the first moments we get to see that there might be more to Jamie than just swaggering arrogance. Great performance by both of them in that scene, one of my favourites for sure.
Ser Rodriks death was really powerful, and so well done. Mr. Donachie gave an amazing performance and will forever be the Rodrik I see in my head when i’m reading the books! He will be missed.
AndrewQuote Reply
rip :( that scene made me cry and even reading about it again here made me cry well done indeed.
More Pod!
nightwolfQuote Reply
Yep, apparently Ron’s real name is Ronald Eaglesham Porter, according to IMDB. Daniel was credited as Porter in one movie, then changed his professional name to Portman.
Three cheers for Eaglesham! (That would make an interesting sigil…)
spacechampionQuote Reply
I’ve got to say, his death was just as dramatic as Ned’s, if not more so. And even though it went down different from the books, he really played it well. So, here’s to the best damn beard in show business! You will be missed, Ser. You will be missed…
Varamyr FourskinsQuote Reply
Sean,
All great. I also love the expression of disbelief on his face when Varys asks Cat if she had brought the dagger to King’s Landing.
Sir PounceQuote Reply
Fare thee well, Ser Rodrik! Thank you for everything!
Maester VictorQuote Reply
He’ll be missed :-(
The KingslayerQuote Reply
two true northmen…….worth half a hundred southerners!
Greg of Burtt CliffQuote Reply
nice work ron don
who has the best beard now?
KingthlayerQuote Reply
Many tears were shed throughout the realm. It is known.
Mrs. H’gharQuote Reply
Black Lorren: “He took out two of ours, before I got his sword.”
His death scene (together with all the rest of Theon’s WF shinanigance) touched me even more than Ned’s, as far as the series are concerned. I think that speaks for itself.
PepiQuote Reply
Agreed.
During his death scene there was a a look that he threw at Theon that totally blew me away. It was almost like a total physical transformation. It still haunts my thoughts now, top acting.
Ser WARZQuote Reply
While Ser Rodrick death was epic I’m a little sad we didn’t get to see the Parley with Beth Cassel. That was heart wrenching in the books.
dizzy_34Quote Reply
An excellent performance by Ron Donachie. His scenes with Theon leading up to his death were fantastic, as was the death scene itself. I shall miss him along with those whiskers.
PhilQuote Reply
Godspeed, Ser Rodrik. May the Father guide you on your journeys. Drink one for all of us and give our regards to Ned, Jory, Rickard, Brandon and Lyanna. Tell them the North remembers!
Sea Bitch crewman put it well – “We caught this one on his way back from Torrhen’s Square. Took out two of ours before I got his sword.”
He died as he lived – proud, unrelenting, strong, with a sword or with attitude.
And well written, Winter is Coming. Not a few hours ago I asked FaBio in another topic if there will be a Curtain Call for the brave master-at-arms. And so it is.
Siniša Grimjaur ŠiškoQuote Reply
This.
Great performances by both Cassels.
MikeQuote Reply
I just realized that his daughter(?) was not in the series. Whatever happened to her after his death in the books?
casselQuote Reply
Taken to the Dreadfort…
SHiROQuote Reply
Ron and Jamie will be missed indeed–strong performances of some very much-loved characters. Ron Donachie–only man who could make a beard like that look fearsome and not completely farcical!
I’ll never forget the pictures from a book signing GRRM did in 2009. Ron was there along with the children of the Stark household, as if to keep watch over his pups. Now that’s commitment to a role! Not that I’d ever say no to a chance to hang out with Kit Harington or Richard Madden, but I doubt that that was Ron’s motivation. : )
http://thewertzone.blogspot.fr/2009/11/signing-pictures.html
IsabelleQuote Reply
One of my favorite minor scenes of the first season, though maybe just because I’m a big fan of Jamie Lannister.
Mark RainesQuote Reply
He was of the North.
HollyoakQuote Reply
I join everyone in praising both these great actors in bringing these characters to life, along with the kids, Luwin and Theon (Alfie Allen), who were all astounding. They were better on screen than in the books (I know, can’t really compare but it’s how I feel), and that is great praise indeed.
Also, very nicely written “Curtain Call” WIC!
Kudos!
“He’s a good lad” eh? Guess the Kingslayer’s reply, if peeps remember it from S1, will make them realize Jaime is no fool.
UdiQuote Reply
“Would that I had shoved a sword through your belly instead of placing one in your hand.”
qft
Farewell to the best whiskers in Westeros! Outstanding work, ser.
Belated farewell, as well, to loyal Jory, one of the very few Stark men to actually kill any Lannister men in King’s Landing. Well done!
the goatQuote Reply
Winter has come to House Cassell.
Jamie Sives, how many men can express with one eye what others cannot with two? There is no honor in a Lannister heart.
Ron Donachie, how many have the grit to choose their own executioner, having made sure he doesn’t know how to wield the sword? May your braided chops haunt him in his iron dreams.
Nagga’s KinQuote Reply
It is known.
You have expressed what I had hoped to say in a much more perfect fashion.
ConnieQuote Reply
Having beard = death sentence, better to be shaved
Rodrik, Robert, Drogo…
Thanks Mr. Donachie and Mr. Sives for showing us that Starks are not only one family having North in their blood.
GrzebykKQuote Reply
He died as he lived, with honor.
TrappingsofpowerQuote Reply
Game of Thrones has the best collection of character actors. Even when standing in the background smirking, Donachie’s perfect. And his love of the books was especially endearing. Thanks for being part of the show, Mr. Donachie.
Ours is the FuryQuote Reply
heart breaking scene, absolutely heart wrenching. The music, the acting, the tension all came together to make a cracking scene!
I’ve never had to press pause during a TV show before!
christmas is comingQuote Reply
Heh Sean Bean just got arrested for harrassing his ex-wife.
KGQuote Reply
The deaths of both Cassels were much more emotionally stunning than in the books. Kudos to the actors and the writers for making those parts more powerful.
I will miss those wonderful sideburns. I told my daughter I was going to grow mine out like Ser Rodrik’s and she threatened to not take care of me when I get older and (more) senile. Had to abandon my plans. A shame. Sideburns like that would be a great accessory when yelling at kids to get off my lawn.
LangkardQuote Reply
It is known.
WeirwoodQuote Reply
I admit, Ser Rodrik’s death was very strong. Considering that I’m not much of a Stark fan and all, the “Hush, child, I’m off to see your father” line was soooo touching on so many levels.
Kudos to the actors, they both did a fine job with the Cassels.
RinsoQuote Reply
I have to admit that I was glad for him that the sight of a pretty pair of boobs was the next-to-the-last thing to enter Jory’s eye.
MikeQuote Reply
I thought this was a really nicely written send-off Phil.
I was always a fan of Rodrik. I will likely remember his rockin’ beard as much as his absolute, unwavering honor to those he served. Just like Jory–another Cassel to whom the showrunners gave a gifted actor and a memorable death.
I still think I prefer his book death, but this was a necessary condensing move for the time constraints, and it worked quite well indeed.
ZackQuote Reply
I didn’t think the death scene was fantastic, the performance was good, but the staging could have been a bit better.
Nonetheless Ron Donachie played a very good Ser Rodrik Cassel.
Langkard,
Ser Rodrik’s might have been because in the books it was off screen.
I found Jory’s book scene to be much more tragic though.
One thing that they didn’t address in the TV series was that Jory was the last remaining survivor of his family branch.
Remembering that Jory’s father died at the Tower of Joy, adds more despair to Ned’s cry of anguish when Jory rides back to save him in A Game of Thrones.
Jordan HealeyQuote Reply
unrelated, but I just noticed a written GOT reference on 30 Rock tonight. That is the third episode this season with a GOT reference.
Specifically, one way Chriss can earn Chriss points is listed on the chart as ‘refer to me as Khaleesi’
skipdutchQuote Reply
GOT reference on Park & Rec too. Andy and April were coming up with a list of places to move to they were considering, and Winterfell was listed (as well as New Caprica).
spacechampionQuote Reply
Isabelle,
man that seems like only yesterday, and makes losing him even tougher.
feyrbandQuote Reply
For those folks who would like to copy Ser Rodrik’s mutton-chop braids….. you have competition.
http://beardteamusa.org/btusa/isaac-c-rodriguez/
WeirwoodQuote Reply
I definitely got teary eyed. Everyone in that scene worked it, Theon, Bran, Maester Luwin and even Rickon. It reminds me of Ned’s death scene with Sansa crying and Yoren pressing Arya’s face to his chest so she wouldn’t see the exact moment of beheading. Will miss Ser Rodrik, thank you Ron Donachie.
MoonCoffeeQuote Reply
I never had clear images in my mind of how the Cassels looked like when reading the books, but now Rodrick and Jory are clearly defined in my mind’s eye. Thank you Sers Sives and Donachie, you were both epic!
(and thank you WiC for including Jamie Sives in the Curtain Calls so that we could pay him our long due respects)
Tar KidhoQuote Reply
Always so proud and smirking genuinly on honorable decisions.
An honest man of the king in the north.
RIP Ser Rodrik , you were family to us..
lonasQuote Reply
There aren’t many of us who were at Moot 1 and Moot 2 meeting both Ron Donachie and Jamie Sives at each one respectively.
Ron is an absolute gentleman and a genuine fan of the books. As mentioned in the post above he read all the books even after he got to the part where his character dies. It also turns out he had been a fan of George’s work for a long time having read Fevre Dream back in the 80′s and really liking it. After landing the role in the series and realising it was written by the same author he was overjoyed to read more of George’s books.
When George & Parris visited Belfast during the filming of season one they gifted Ron with a set of Fevre Dream comics. Parris has been championing Ron for the role of Abner Marsh if someone finally makes a film of Fevre Dream. Seriously this needs to happen, vampires on 19th century Mississippi paddle steamers, surely it’s a no brainer? And Ron would be perfect for the role, he really would.
Unfortunately Ron could not be there for Moot 2, but Jamie Sives was. In private he showed me a quick glimpse of a photo on his iPhone of him lying in a pool of blood on a Maltese street, in daylight I was shocked to discover, though I did not have time to spot the knife sticking out his head which it surely was. A really cool guy and happy to meet with fans, just like all the other cast members.
Kudos to both Ron and Jamie on their great performances.
theMountainGoatQuote Reply
The one thing I dislike about this change from the book was that Ser Rodrik never got to mint the Theon Turncloak nomiker.
ViciousQuote Reply
Isabelle,
Damn, that last picture rly makes it even worse, doesn’t it? :D
PepiQuote Reply
theMountainGoat,
nice bit of insider information, thanks!
And I’m sure George’s older work will have come under renewed interest from tv/film makers after GoT’s succes… (though maybe it’s a bit too late for Fevre Dream to still profit from the recent vampire hype?)
Tar KidhoQuote Reply
He took that beheading like a boss.
DaveQuote Reply
Carne,
I wonder why they don’t share the same surname?
RutepQuote Reply
darquemode,
Ser Rodrik definitely had a more emotional exit in the show than in the books, but I’d say Jory’s had similar gravity in the books as in the show. Granted, we didn’t quite see him get stabbed through the eye, but Ned’s reaction afterwards really packed a punch, it was so sad to see him lying there, clutching Jory and mourning his friend.
RutepQuote Reply
Ditto. I hated that his off-stage death in the books made him seem like a fool for trusting Ramsay.
His death in the show is by far the best change from the books.
Yellow DogQuote Reply
Great performance by Donachie in his final episode. His death was the most powerful scene of the season for me, and the biggest reason was his powerful performance.
Winterfell BurningQuote Reply
Excellent acting, he really embodied the book character! Brilliant!
Handmaiden of DanyQuote Reply
Thank you Phil & co for those very lovely words, esp on Jamie Sives.
It was very very much appreciated by many.
Long live Jory!
All Best, Sue sweetonsigmafilms (and ever Jamie Sives stalwart)
sweetonsigmafilmsQuote Reply
Well done, Ron!
Shock MeQuote Reply
KG,
I heard he kept texting her “winter is coming”. I can see how that could come across as harassing or threatening.
rib246Quote Reply
Thank you WIC for the Jamie/Jory curtain call. Yep, my fav of him is in Littlefinger’s cat house and Ned is calling him, “Jory, Jory” and he has the deer-in-the-headlights look! Yes, ma Lord, as he trails after Ned. Theon is ready to call the banners as soon as they are told and the young wolf holds off. I also like the talk with Jamie Lanister about fighting together against the Iron Islanders. Ron/Rodrick was awesome on the way to Lysa. Thank you for your service good sers, the North remembers.
Jen@House StarkQuote Reply
Props to Ron but also to Alfie Allen.
It really looked like Theon was about to throw up after he finished hacking. He really is ideal for that role. Not just for his great acting but also for his perfect face. As in, it won’t take much to make him look like a concentration camp victim, which he’ll have to do if Theon and the series survive into… oh… season 4 or 5… Dig?
ChrisQuote Reply
I miss both the Cassels, great characters with more impact on screen than in the books.
Ser Rodrick’s death scene was very effective, well done to all involved. Bran crying at Theon to stop and Rodrick reassuring him was heartbreaking. I’m glad he got a stronger death than in the books, though it felt truly horrible watching Theon hacking away. Wish we’d seen him taking down some ironborn on the way though!
Wonderful performance and epic sideburns :)
ShinyteapotQuote Reply
Rodrik Cassel’s beard!!!!! ): I will never see it again, except in old photos.
Sad times.
Ron looks like such a friendly man IRL (well, on the show he did too). He reminds me of my grandfather. He did an awesome job and he will be missed (as is Jamie Sives).
Steve Hugh WestenraQuote Reply
Of all the characters I thought I would cry for or about in GoT, I never thought I’d cry for Ser Rodrick. That was before seeing last week’s epic scene. It seemed so real, and I think that goes along with Ron’s performance. He always seemed completely in characetr to me – never an awkward moment, look or glance – I always totally believed him when he was onscreen. Great job Ron!
purplejillyQuote Reply
Pepi,
Completely–there’s Alfie, his arm around Ron, surrounded by the rest of the family. I’d like to reach in and suspend time–ensure that no Snow/Stark leaves the nest and that no Greyjoy has the chance to turn his cloak!! But alas.
IIRC, the first time we encounter Ser Rodrik in the series, he’s delivering the news of the NW deserter to Ned and Theon is right there next to him. And 15 short episodes later…arg! Ron and Alfie’s outstanding performances made it all the more difficult to stomach. It’s been said so many times, but with the people they bring in, this programme makes the most of every role, bit, minor or main. It just makes it that much more painful and frustrating to let go of someone–and you’d think that we’d be used to that by now, what with the nature of the books! >: [
IsabelleQuote Reply
The tears were coming and then Ron said “Hush child, I’m off to see your father,” and they spilled over. Gods, what a hard scene to watch. I felt like I was stabbed in the belly!
RIP Ser Rodrik!
thank you Ron and best of luck to your future endeavors.
MetalgoddessAMBQuote Reply
fine work.another actor who replaced my minds own version.ill be seeing big Ron every time i start reading the books again.
gooberQuote Reply
As Mountain Goat mentioned above, there is now a strong amount of support for Ron playing the role of Captain Abner Marsh if someone ever makes a movie of FEVRE DREAM. This has to happen, he’d be brilliant in the role. And it’d be great for Ron (a perennial supporting actor in movies, rarely the lead) to get a leading role in such a project.
Amusing story: at the 2009 Belfast moot I was talking about the books with GRRM with another couple of fans when Ron came up and interrupted. He’s a huge American football fan and immediately he and GRRM began talking about the game in depth. Me and the other fans looked at each other, realising that we’d just seen a GRRM blog post come to life (talking about the books, then goes off on a lengthy discussion about football). Quite amusing. And yes, Ron was, by far, the most enthusiastic castmember at the moot. He talked to most of the people there and was very down-to-earth. He told some great stories about working with James Cameron on TITANIC (most notably how he’d do anything Cameron asked him, no matter how bonkers, without question whilst other cast and crew would complain incessantly about the amount of time they had to spend in the water). A great guy.
Adam WhiteheadQuote Reply
RIP Ser Rodrick. What a great scene (best death scene other than Ned?). Alfie, Ron AND Isaac really made it emotional. Rodrick’s line to Bran about going to see his father really got me.
jdp13Quote Reply
I truly think it may be the supporting cast members who at the end of the day end up being the best actors inwith Game of Thrones. The main cast is fantastic, as we all know, but they have so much more to work with, both from the POV chapters in the text and the abundance of scenes in the show. The supporting cast gets much less, yet despite this, the actors are still able to create such beautifully nuanced characters. Their dedicated performances add color to George’s world and poignancy to the storylines of the main characters.
Both Cassels were resolute, fiercely loyal and brave on screen. This is obvious. But it’s the little moments they gave us that really made their characters come alive as real people instead of just loyal warrior cliches. The way Jory’s eyes lingered in the brothel, or the way he nostalgically reminisced with Jaime Lannister about the battle at Pyke. The way he clutched Sansa when Lady was sentenced to death. Or with Ser Rodrik, the way he triumphantly and proudly watched Robb run his war councils. Or the look of respect he gave Bran when requesting men to defend Torrhen’s Square, which in no words so clearly showed he recognized Bran had learned well. And of course, “Hush now child, I’m off to see your father.” That was hands down the best original line of the series, and definitely one of the best added scenes overall. In the book Ser Rodrik’s death was an off-screen battle casualty. In the show, it was deeply disturbing and genuinely moving.
Thank you Ron and Jamie for being such a joy to watch on screen. Although your roles were limited, your performances certainly provoked a lot of emotion, which can only be a testament to your tremendous talent.
LinaQuote Reply
Maybe the greatest scene of the series so far. I mean it. Thanks, Mr. Donachie, you have a fan in me!
Brian BaldingerQuote Reply
Exactly.
Also, glory to Cassel men; Northmen to the core. Those two defined intestinal fortitude. Donachie and Sives played the roles to perfection.
BloodwrathQuote Reply
Lovely, lasting contributions by both actors, but let’s not forget the writers who gave them those words. I don’t think Vanessa Taylor is getting enough credit for that Winterfell scene (or the mob scene and its aftermath between Joff and Tyrion and the Arya/Tywin/Jaqen scenes).
I didn’t cry, because I was too busy hating on Theon, but, oh man, the way Ron delivered that “Now you are truly lost” line. Utter perfection and the most viewer satisfaction we could have hoped for among the circumstances.
PatDQuote Reply
I always liked House Cassel’s sigil.
LexQuote Reply
Farewell Ser Rodrik!
LouisaQuote Reply
Rodrik made me finally grow some sideburns like I had always thought about.
NathanyelQuote Reply
rodrik & jory, true northerners, you’ll be missed
serumQuote Reply
Spitting in theon face was one of the best moments in the series ,only second to Tyron slapping Joffery :)
The Red WeddingQuote Reply
this made me fall of my chair haha. Ron and Jamie, you are legends.
KnurkQuote Reply
He definitely wins the award for best sideburns..seriously, I’m doing that for halloween. :-)
scott glennonQuote Reply
Like Mountaingoat and Adam, I was also lucky enough to meet the Cassels in Belfast. I was stunned to find out Ron had gone to the same school as me and used to live locally.
Now I’m equally stunned Daniel is his son. How did I miss that one?! ;)
Both Ron and Jamie brought a lot to the show and will be missed.
JacmacQuote Reply
For some reason, though so many characters have departed GoT, I found Ser Rodrik’s death quite disturbing, the fact that it came at the hands of Theon was even worse!
Even facing death he maintained his dignity and courage, which bespeaks of his pedigree as a person. Dignity, integrity, loyalty and courage were always the words that always spring to mind when thinking about this hallowed character!
Ron Donachie played Ser Rodrik to a cue, and imbibed him not only with those qualities I mentioned but also a humanity and warmth that made him so endearing.
Thank you sir for you wonderful, steadfast performance!
RIP Ser Rodrik…Winter Is Coming!
loco73Quote Reply