Game of Thrones showrunner: “The actors THINK they know the end”

We’re just six days away from the premiere of the final season of Game of Thrones, and the cast members are hyping it to hell and back. But do they really know how the series will end? ‘Well, of course they do,’ you’d think. ‘They filmed it.’ But according to showrunner David Benioff, maybe not. Here’s what he told Digital Spy:

"The actors think they know the end, because they were all here for the table read. But that’s not to say that we don’t employ deception at times. We have had some success in terms of hiding things, but the actors definitely all believe that they know where this season is going to end."

Okay, so either Benioff and fellow showrunner Dan Weiss really did pull wool over the actors’ eyes, or he is mercilessly trolling us. I mean, I wouldn’t put anything past the guys who brought Sibel Kekilli back on set during season 6 just to make the press think that Shae might return:

And director David Nutter did say that they filmed some fake scenes for season 8 to throw off the press. We’ll see if Benioff and Weiss have any tricks up their sleeve before the end.

Speaking of the end, the Star Advertiser picked up several soundbites from the cast members when they were walking the red carpet at the New York City premiere last week. “It’s very exciting because there’s a whole new chapter of our lives we’re embarking on, but it’s also really sad because this other chapter is closing, and we won’t be able to play these amazing characters anymore,” said Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark). “I’ve got my waterproof mascara on tonight because I know there’ll be a lot of crying.”

Some more hot takes:

• Pilou Asbæk (Euron Greyjoy) seemed jazzed about what’s coming. “There’s going to be a couple of episodes in season 8 which is going to be madness, which is going to be epic, which is going to be the biggest ever seen on TV.” Don’t hold back, Pilou.
• Jason Momoa (Aquaman Khal Drogo):  “It’s the greatest show on Earth and nine years ago I didn’t think I’d be here right now,” said Jason Momoa (Aquaman Khal Drogo). “It’s just beautiful to see my friends off, wish them luck and show the world that it’s the greatest show.”
• Kristian Nairn (Hodor) was just happy he got to be naked: “I’m not your average Hollywood actor and to be able to take your clothes off onscreen, I think that just shows what Game of Thrones is all about. It’s inclusive. You don’t have to look like a Hollywood A-lister to be in Game of Thrones. I think that’s the way the acting culture should move. It’s supposed to be inclusive these days. We all look different so that’s why I took the chance to appear naked.”

• Kristofer Hivju (Tormund Giantsbane): “It doesn’t follow the rules of storytelling. It follows the rules of life and the rules of death. And it’s unpredictable. It’s like a sports event. You don’t know what’s going to happen. Boom! Something happens. Boom! Always something.”

Finally, several cast members were asked about their favorite death scenes from the show:

The Stark kids all enjoyed Oberyn Martell’s death scene. And it’s good to see that both Aidan Gillen and Conleth Hill both picked Ned and Hodor’s deaths. Finally, Littlefinger and Varys agree on something.

The strangest part of the video: Pilou Asbæk liked Ramsay Bolton’s death by hungry dog pack because it was a “very Scandinavian death.” Note to self: avoid Scandinavia.

Game of Thrones season 8 premieres this Sunday, April 14.

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h/t Star Advertiser