Pilou Asbæk takes credit for Euron Greyjoy’s new swagger in Game of Thrones season 7

Euron Greyjoy seemed to be a love-him-or-hate-him element of Game of Thrones season 7. Plenty of fans enjoyed his take on the homicidal swashbuckler, whether he was throwing shade at Jaime in the Red Keep throne room or maniacally laughing his way through on assault on his niece’s fleet. Others thought he was a bit much, particularly this late in the game (…of thrones). Still, he made an impression, and was definitely more memorable than he was in season 6, when he killed his brother Balon and won the Iron Islands Kingsmoot.

According to star Pilou Asbæk, that was at least partially his doing. “I wanted to make him a rock star,” Asbæk recently told Out. Hence, when Euron came back for his sophomore outing, he had dark eyeliner, a Hot Topic-meets-Pirates of the Caribbean wardrobe, and a new devilish spring in his step. By that point, Asbæk had developed a close enough working relationship with showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss to make that sort of request. I dunno if I agree with Out when it calls him the series’ “breakout star,” but I think the change worked for him.

Still, Game of Thrones has raised Asbæk’s profile. Even before he landed that role, he was making waves in his native Denmark thanks to appearances in shows like The Killing and Borgen. That eventually led to parts in bigger movies like Lucy, Ghost in the Shell, and the 2016 remake of Ben-Hur. And since it’s looking like Euron will have a sizable role in season 8, there’s no telling where his career could go from there.

The whole interview is an interesting read for those who want to get to know the man behind Game of Thrones’ newest baddie better, and to get some insights into the Danish mind. “Why are we such big fans of hygge and the happiest people in the world and yet create things this dark and gritty?” Asbæk asks. “It’s because six months of the year it’s a dark country. As in physically dark, because of the sun. That makes you a little more tough, you know?”

Next: Video: The Game of Thrones crew tests a trebuchet on the set of season 8

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