Hodor actor critiques final Game of Thrones season: “I wish it was longer”

We’re now over two years out from the series finale of Game of Thrones, but the show’s final stretch is still a contentious topic among fans. And that includes fans who acted on the series.

For instance, Kristian Nairn became beloved among fans after playing Hodor the gentle giant and Stark retainer for five seasons. When he was killed off in season 6, fans were heartbroken, but just because Nairn was no longer on the show didn’t mean he stopped watching. He kept it up, and is as torn about how the show ended as anyone.

“I try to be objective here,” Nairn told Express when asked about the ending and how it divided people. “I’m a fan of things too and when something you deeply love doesn’t live up to what you expect, I get it, I understand.”

The final season of Game of Thrones saw Daenerys Targaryen burn down the city of King’s Landing only for her lover Jon Snow to kill her afterward lest she do the same thing to the rest of Westeros. With Dany dead and Jon exiled to the Wall as part of a compromise to keep the peace with those still loyal to the Dragon Queen, Bran Stark became the new king. “I didn’t dislike the last season, I just wish it was longer,” Kristian said.

That’s pretty similar to what cast member Miltos Yerolemou (Syrio Forel) said when we asked him about the ending: “Everything that happened to Jon, and Daenerys wanting ultimate revenge – all of that worked. I just think it didn’t resonate as much as they wanted because it was abbreviated.” I more or agree with them both, by the way; I think the show could have sold the twists given enough time, but I think it cut itself short.

Game of Thrones actor still gets recognized as Hodor

All that said, Nairn feels lucky to have been involved in such an “epic project,” saying he still gets recognized every day. “Hodor was such a unique character, and I enjoyed playing him totally.”

For now, you can see Nairn in the next episode of Fast Food Face Off on the BBC. He’s also joined the cast of Our Flag Means Death, a new pirate show coming to HBO.

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