Myrcella’s death scene on Game of Thrones was originally much more gruesome

Many things can change in the transition from script to screen. According to an interview with Game of Thrones star Nell Tiger Free (Myrcella Baratheon 2.0) at the MCM London Comic Con, Mrycella’s death scene in “Mother’s Mercy” — she died in Jaime’s arms because of Ellaria Sand’s poison kiss — happened differently than originally planned.

According to Free, Myrcella’s death was supposed to be a good deal more graphic. “I don’t know if I should say this, but originally what happened is they gave me loads of mashed-up bananas with, like, blood — fake blood — and my brains were supposed to be all over the ship and stuff,” she said. “I was so excited. I don’t like gore, but I knew they were, like, bananas, so I was okay with it…But they cut it out because they wanted Myrcella’s death to reflect her life and wanted it to be sweet, which is rare for Thrones, and unlike my husband, who got a spear straight through his face.”

Free’s description of the scene sounds closer to what was in the original script for the episode, which you can read on the Emmys website.

"Jaime holds his dead daughter in his arms, her hemorrhaged brain-blood covering them both…"

Being covered in “brain-blood” would certainly have raised the brutality factor, but perhaps the producers were right to make Myrcella’s death “sweet.” That’s something Free enjoyed about the character. “What’s nice about Myrcella in my opinion is she was one of the only characters who was never that mean to anyone. She was always kinda sweet. And they gave her amazing hair.”

Other interesting things from the interview:

• Free thinks Myrcella “definitely knew” that Jaime was her father, pointing out that Myrcella “doesn’t exactly look like Robert Baratheon.” She has a less high opinion of Tommen. “I don’t think Tommen has a clue…I think Tommen was just trying not to die the whole time. I don’t think he knew at all. But I think Myrcella always knew. I think Myrcella’s a smart girl.”
• Myrcella’s death scene was Free’s favorite scene to film, naturally.
• Excepting Myrcella herself, Free would like to see Tyrion sit upon the Iron Throne

Free will next appear alongside Carrie Fisher in Wonderwell.