Filming on Game of Thrones season 8 marches on, but not every cast member is in front of the camera all the time. For instance, Nathalie Emmanuel (Missandei) recently spoke to Express about a great many Game of Thrones-related topics, including her shooting schedule:
"Yeah, I have had some periods out of work because of schedules and they’re shooting stuff I’m not in. But I’ve done quite a bit already and it’s been going really well. It’s really exciting! I can’t say much but it’s going well and as far as I know, everyone’s saying it’s going well so that’s good."
As a secondary character, it’s not surprising that Emmanuel isn’t on set round the clock; it’s unlikely she’ll play much of a role in the major battle scenes they’re filming, for example. But if you’d like to read into this that Missandei’s days are numbered, feel free. Emmanuel herself certainly won’t give you anything specific. “t’s going well.” “That’s good.” This is the generalized language of someone who’s practiced at not giving away details.
And when people do give away details, Emmanuel has never been shy about saying exactly what she thinks about it.
It's really disappointing there are people who are determined to ruin Season 7 for everyone... 😒 #spoilsports
— Nathalie Emmanuel (@missnemmanuel) October 22, 2016
“It makes me so cross, makes me so angry!” she told Express. “Last year we had these hacks happening and people releasing episodes online…It’s rubbish, it’s so upsetting and disrespectful to everyone.”
"I don’t know the whole story around that but it just feels like this is people’s work and people’s art. As much as we want to fulfill whatever craving you have for the show, it’s really, really hard when you think it’s yours to take. I find it selfish and weird and it doesn’t sit well with me at all so I say shame on those people, to be honest."
It’s true that season 7 was leakier than a sinking ship, although we should note that some of that can be chalked up to whoopsies on the part of HBO and its affiliates. Happily (or not, depending on who you ask), security on season 8 has been tighter. Emmanuel is surely pleased.
As far as saying goodbye to Game of Thrones goes, Emmanuel sees a lot of strong feelings in her future. “I can’t even think about it, I’m not ready for that conversation,” she said. “I am enjoying the time because I know when it’s over it’s gonna take a minute for it to sink in that I’m not going back to see everyone next year.”
"It’s like a bitter sweet thing. I’m looking forward to the future, looking forward to seeing what my friends on the show are going to be doing. But also it’s been an amazing journey. The fact I was part of it at all is amazing. I will be sad, but it will be with a smile."
So say all of us. While you wait for her final turn as Missandei, you can see Nathalie Emmanuel in The Titan, a science fiction thriller, on Netflix.
Next: Game of Thrones will return to the castle of in season 8
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