Game of Thrones actress reveals how Brienne was the part she always wanted to play
Feb 4, 2014, 3:06 PM EST (Updated)
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Tag: Gwendoline Christie
It is a truth universally acknowledged that Gwendoline Christie was born to play Brienne of Tarth on Game of Thrones. Christie, who is currently featured in the March issue of Elle UK!, spoke about landing the role she's always wanted to play, that of the Maid of Tarth -- or Brienne the Beauty -- but if you guys don't mind, we'll just call her Brienne.
"This is the part I always wanted to play but never knew existed. All the things I had wanted to cloak about myself, that I felt a little ashamed and embarrassed about, had been bullied for, these things had a place they could live – in Brienne."
Christie then goes on to explain that the moment she learned that Game of Thrones was being adapted as a TV series -- essentially putting her dream role up for grabs -- it became her mission to get the part, and she threw herself into a workout routine as well as a new diet, losing a full stone of weight (about 14 lbs.) and replacing it with muscle.
Once Christie had nabbed the role, she quickly struck up a friendship with her co-stars Michelle Fairley (Lady Catelyn Stark) and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Ser Jaime Lannister) -- with whom she has mind-blowing chemistry. Frankly, the scenes between Jaime and Brienne were amongst the best and most memorable from the third season of Thrones. (The Bear and the Maiden Fair? That fantastic bath scene at Harrenhall? The duel?)
About Fairley, Gwendoline Christie said, "I adore her, she really took care of me. Not only is she a very intelligent, kind, interesting and funny woman, but she has a strong nurturing aspect to her. She was gorgeous to me."
As for her friendship with the Kingslayer himself, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, she reveals that their real-life relationship sounds a lot like the one they have on the hit HBO fantasy series. "Nikolaj likes to wind me up until I'm screaming at him!"
Even though her towering height (she's 6'3") helped her nab the role of Brienne of Tarth, it's been somewhat of a hindrance to her in trying to get into a relationship. "I wouldn't say it has increased my options. But I've always thought that the height is a very good detector of the good ones: because if they can get over that, they have got good mettle."
Still, it definitely has earned her the love of statuesque women everywhere who watch Game of Thrones, as Christie says that many approach her and proclaim, "I really love your character; I'm tall as well."
Gwendoline Christie will return as Brienne of Tarth in the fourth season of Game of Thrones on April 6.
(via Winter Is Coming)