Nikolaj Coster-Waldau: We end Game of Thrones “the right way”

Game of Thrones star Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister) spent the early part of May at the Cannes Film Festival in France, where he found time to chat about the final season of Game of Thrones. Always forthcoming with his opinions, Coster-Waldau forecasts an ending that will fit neatly into the greater whole. Watch below, and then we’ll hit the highlights.

Through all the twists and turns, Game of Thrones is one big story, with a lot of callbacks and internal cohesion. That’s made it unique, even in an age when serialized storytelling has become the norm for high-end dramas. To hear Coster-Waldau tell it, that tradition will continue into the endgame.

"I also know that we end the right way and the show ends on its own terms. When I read the scripts for the last season, I was like, ‘Wow, they really pulled it off.’ It’s one story from season 1 to 9 and it makes sense."

Yes, there are only eight seasons of the show, but he’s been working on it for nine, so cut him some slack.

He also weighed in on the show’s legendary secrecy policies:

"They’re very very strict. It’s reached a crazy level this year. We actually get the scripts, and then when we’ve shot the scene — and we only have it digitally — and then when you’ve done the scene, it just vanishes. It’s like Mission: Impossible. “This will self-destruct.”"

Previously, Coster-Waldau had said that the cast members didn’t even get scripts for the eighth season, but that was probably an exaggeration. This seems more realistic. But still: the secrecy is intense.

For me, Coster-Waldau’s talk about season 8 being part of a greater whole is very encouraging. What long-simmering character arcs will pay off in the final six episodes? What burning questions will be answered? Stay tuned.

Next: How will Game of Thrones season 8 end? Former cast members weigh in

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