English actor Roy Dotrice met George R.R. Martin on the set of Beauty and the Beast, on which Martin was a writer. The two became friends, and when it came time to find someone to narrate the audiobook versions of his expansive A Song of Ice and Fire novels, Martin turned to Dotrice. With his rich timber and keen actorly instincts, Dotrice was the perfect fit for the series. He narrated the first three books and the fifth, but originally couldn’t do the fourth due to other commitments. Responding to fan demand, he recorded a new version of A Feast for Crows later. That’s how hard it was to think of someone other than Dotrice doing this work.
Roy Dotrice died today, Monday, October 16. According to a statement reported by BBC News, he went “peacefully…in his London home surrounded by family, including his three daughters, grandchildren and great-grandson.”
Born in Germany, Dotrice served in the UK’s Royal Air Force in World War II and spent three years as a prisoner in a German POW camp. After that, he embarked on a career in film, television, radio and theater that would last for over half a century. He was long associated with science fiction and fantasy, from his guest role on Space 1999 in 1975 through parts on Angel, Babylon 5, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Hellboy II: The Golden Army, and more. Game of Thrones fans may know him best as Hallyne, one of the pyromancers who helped Tyrion blow up Stannis’ fleet back in season 2, but by that point Dotrice already had a huge body of work and an excellent reputation that proceeded him.
If Martin had his way, Dotrice would have been even more deeply involved with the show; the author wanted him to play the role of Grand Maester Pycelle, a part that eventually went to Julian Glover, but Dotrice had to pull out due to health problems. Nevertheless, he’ll be forever associated with Game of Thrones and A Song of ice and Fire, and dearly missed by fans of both.
And now his watch is ended.