Game of Thrones’ Aidan Gillen on Littlefinger’s status as a sex symbol

Over the course of six seasons, Game of Thrones has gained notoriety for its intricate plots, well-rounded characters, its incredible score and its spectacular special effects. But it’s also been reputed—usually good-naturedly by fans, and I’m paraphrasing here—as “that show about hot people having sex and getting murdered.”

Barring the murder bit, it’s no small wonder that fans have their Game of Thrones crushes. After all, few people can watch Kit Harington brood for that long without at least growing a soft spot for Jon. Just ask the wildlings, among whom he’s gained a reputation as “Jon Snow the pretty crow.” They jest, but we all know that’s why they really joined forces with him.

Of course, not every character can inspire a “10/10 would date and/or follow into battle” rating. Think Craster, Alliser Thorne and Ramsay Bolton (Ramsay’s personality is the obvious deal-breaker here). But everyone has their preferences, however seemingly odd. Take Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish, whom Collider claimed had become a sex symbol when talking to actor Aidan Gillen on the set of King Arthur: Legend of the Sword. Gillen’s response: “Has he?”

"Well, I’m kind of surprised by that now because I wasn’t really aware of it. I don’t know, it’s interesting given that some of the strands in the story are unsavory or could be seen that way and Littlefinger’s relationship with Sansa Stark is quite unorthodox, without me trying to put as much warmth into it as I can and just play it for real. I’m not aware of being a sex symbol, though."

You and me both, Mr. Gillen. When I first read that “sex symbol” had been applied to Littlefinger, I almost wasted a good mouthful of diet Coke by spitting it onto my computer screen.

As for King Arthur, Gillen is playing a character named Goose Fat Bill, an archer working with the titular king. Like Game of Thrones, this movie has a medieval setting, although Gillen’s character doesn’t much resemble Littlefinger. “Yeah, I have played a fair few villainous roles or bad guy roles, this is not one,” he said. “We are on the wrong side of the law, as it stands, but on the side of good in that we’re going up against a nasty king, thwarting him.” So it’s a Brotherhood Without Banners movie, then.

Gillan did admit that Game of Thrones may have helped movies like King Arthur get made.

"I don’t doubt that the popularity of Game of Thrones, for example, makes this kind of film more producible and bankable. It still has to be good though, to make it enjoyable and for people to come. I think everyone, including myself, even though we knew Game of Thrones was good, surprised at how exactly how huge it became, which is massive and around the world. Although, that shouldn’t be a surprise in that it’s quite universal and could be understood anywhere."

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword comes out May 12.