Wilf Scolding (Rhaegar Targaryen) weighs in on season 8 premiere date

Game of Thrones star Wilf Scolding (Rhaegar Targaryen) recently conducted a question-and-answer session via his personal Instagram. You can read the entire Q&A here, but the highlights are below, including his thoughts on the season 8 premiere date.

That falls in line with HBO programming president Casey Bloys’ assertion that season 8 would premiere in the first half of 2019. The question is whether Scolding actually has any inside info. In response to another question, he said he didn’t know what was “going on in season 8,” but he did post a picture of himself in Belfast during filming, leading some fans to wonder if Rhaegar would be making a return appearance. Is he slipping up and revealing something (or trying hard not reveal something) again?

Just to throw some lighter fluid on the conspiracy fire, Scolding eventually had to stop the Q&A because Instagram “blocked me from replying to any more [questions].” A completely benign technical limitation, or irrefutable proof that Scolding Knows Too Much?

Elsewhere, Scolding speculated on the Night King’s purpose:

So do we need to request the month of April off from work? Or is this just an actor who hasn’t been on the show for over a year taking a best guess? Time will tell.

Here are some other notable moments:

• Question: “How does it feel to portray such an important character in both the ASOIAF series and one of the highest rated shows? Did you have anxiety about being in such an essential role?” Answer: “I was nervous but incredibly excited. It was a huge honour and privilege, but I had to try to do the best job I could, to do the character justice!”
• Question: “Was it hard to play “bad guy”, how did you evaluate this kind of emotions for performing?” Answer: “Good question! I think you’ve got to just imagine why your character would make the decisions that they have, and try put yourself in their shoes – if you start labelling your own character as good or bad then it might affect the way you play them. If that makes sense?”
• Question: How long did you spend on set? Answer: “A few days, it was such a thrill to be there!”
• Question: “How do you think Rhaegar would have handled the tower of Joy with Ned Stark if he had been there?” Answer: “Oof good question. ‘Rhaegar never loved fighting’ is a good clue – perhaps he and Ned would have been able to talk things out?”
• Question: “Who is your favourite Baratheon and Stark?” Answer: “Robert was fun till i nicked his wife. Lyanna was me fav Stark.”
• Question: “Who is the most fun actor to work with in the whole cast?” Answer: “I didn’t get to work with many, but I loved working with Aisling and Isaac!”
• Question: “Why you gotta go starting s**t like that?” Answer: “When you’re in love, you’re in love bro.”

And of course, is he proud of his son Jon Snow? “I am, I think he should spend a little less time with my sister, though.”

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