Finn Jones (Loras) Finally Talks Game of Thrones Season 6
By Ani Bundel
Every hardcore Game of Thrones fan has their theories as to how you can tell who is going to die in the upcoming season. Those theories have been especially important this season, with everyone, from the most devoted book-reader to the most superficial of show-watchers, is in the dark on large parts of the story. My personal pet theory, which I’ve expounded on before, is based on the amount of interviews an actor gives. After noticing a pattern with first Richard Madden (Robb Stark) prior to Season 3, Jack Gleeson (Joffrey Baratheon) prior to Season 4, and then Kit Harington prior to Season 5, it seemed like the actor who knew their time was up was allowed to take a full court press spin to make the most of their final season.
By that theory, which is by no mean fool-proof, Liam Cunningham (Davos Seaworth), is a goner. But there’s another actor who’s raised suspicion for the opposite reason: Finn Jones, who plays Loras Tyrell.
Finn Jones Arrives for the Premiere Of HBO’s “Game Of Thrones” Season 6 held at TCL Chinese Theatre on April 10, 2016 in Hollywood, California.
Finn Jones has been startlingly absent during the press run this season. The only reports we’ve had of him are out of the Marvel camp, where he’s been cast as the lead in Iron Fist, a new Netflix series. I actually didn’t recognize him at first when he showed up on the red carpet for this past Sunday’s Season 6 premiere event—he’s gained weight and put on a beard. When I first saw him, I thought he was Pilou Asbæk, who will be debuting as Euron Greyjoy this year.
Similarly, Loras hasn’t featured in any of the show’s promotional materials…until yesterday’s new Season 6 trailer, where he was looking scraggly and unhappy in a jail cell. And now Jones finally shows up in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. He was, of course, full of praise for the production.
We’re taking risks and telling stories that are different than previous seasons. And what’s interesting is most of the characters have changed so much they’re completely different people from where they started in season 1. Season 5 was all about people moving all over the map, there were a lot of things changing. Now those changes have been made and this is about how they adapt and survive with these new changes. David and Dan recently said how every episode is strong this year, and it’s true. I’ve read all the scripts and every episode packs a punch. Without a doubt it will be the most epic season so far.
Of course, the topic of Iron Fist comes up, but Jones poo-poos the idea that being cast elsewhere is an automatic death sentence for Loras, insisting instead that he “can definitely do both shows.” He says Loras can survive “if good prevails” in Westeros. I think we can all take that to mean he’s a dead man. In Westeros, it’s the strong, not the good, who survive. And as Jones admits, Loras isn’t someone who has had to be strong.
These religious men and women don’t take to gay people too nicely. He’s having a very difficult time. This is also a character used to privilege and power. He’s trained hard and excelled in his own talents and skills, but done that in the comforts of his surroundings. He’s never been to war. He’s a knight of summer, and now it’s the complete opposite.
Oh, you sweet summer children. How will you all survive now that winter is here?