Be still my beating heart! The great Withnail may be joining Game of Thrones. As reported by Watchers on the Wall—and when it comes to casting scoops, they are rarely wrong—Richard E. Grant may in fact have been cast on Game of Thrones Season 6. They spotted it listed on his online CV.
If so, Grant will be the third crossover from Downton Abbey to join the cast. (He played art collector Simon Bricker last season on the show, and got into a hilarious fistfight with Hugh Bonneville over Lady Cora in their bedroom.) He will also be yet another Doctor Who alum in a rapidly expanding crossover set of cast members to be on both shows, including (but not limited to!) Paul Kaye and Maisie Williams.
The Independent made sure to grab a screen shot of Grant’s CV. And that’s a good thing, because only a few hours later, the listing in question role had mysteriously disappeared, suggesting that someone’s agency assistant wasn’t aware the role was being kept under wraps.
Screenshot via The IndependentSo who could Grant be playing on the show? Grant has always played slightly sinister, weaselly characters, and made a habit of chewing on scenery, ever since rising to fame on the back of cult classics like the endlessly quotable Withnail and I, as well as Hudson Hawk and How to Get Ahead in Advertising. (No really, if you haven’t seen Withnail and I, go do so. Now. It’s OK. We’ll wait.)
The first thought, of course, is that he’ll be part of the traveling acting troupe for which the casting notices were just leaked. Grant would be perfect for Izembaro, the leader of the panto company Arya performs with in during assassination training. What we assume is the set for their play gets closer to completion every day.
Photo by Marc Marti.
The CV originally said “Various” next to directors, which suggests that Grant is in at least two episodes that are not sharing a director. That also makes him a possibility for Randyll Tarly, but with rumored sources pointing to Ian McShane for that role, I’m going to guess no. (Though the very tall and thin Grant as the very round Sam’s father would make for a great counterpoint. And one can easily see Grant radiating distaste and disappointment for Gilly and Little Sam.) There’s also the possibility of the new re-added Aeron Greyjoy. But with Euron as a blonde, it’s hard to see Grant fitting into the family tree. In fact, considering his build and coloring, Grant could also easily be slotted into the role of one of the Northern men we’ll be getting a heaping dose of this season. Perhaps if we are recasting Karstarks? It’s a consideration. And if we’re looking for the slightly mad route, that’s always Septon Meribald or the Elder Brother, and their intense religious beliefs.
HBO has not, as of this point, confirmed Richard Grant’s casting. We’ll update as soon as they do. On the other hand, we do have confirmation of another casting, via their agents.
Anderson’s CV is short but stellar, having recently appeared in Angelina Jolie’s Unbroken and slated to appear in the highly anticipated Macbeth starring Michael Fassbender later this year. No word on who he’s playing either.