Hannah Waddingham Opens Up About Overcoming 'Chronic Claustrophobia' After 'Game of Thrones' Scene

Hannah Waddingham Says Horrific Game Of Thrones Scene Caused Chronic Claustrophobia

Hannah Waddingham Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

Hannah Waddingham, who is now 49 years old, still finds herself haunted by a particular scene from her time on Game of Thrones. She played the character Septa Unella in eight episodes of the popular HBO series between 2015 and 2016. This role, as a member of the ruling council of the Faith of the Seven, was a career-changing opportunity for Waddingham. However, it also left her with lasting mental scars.

During the Monday, April 1 episode of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, the actress from Ted Lasso shared a challenging experience from her past work. She recalled filming a scene that she described as "horrific" and mentioned that it caused her to develop "chronic claustrophobia." In this particular scene, Lena Headey's character, Cersei Lannister, poured wine on her face.

Recounting the intense filming process, Waddingham revealed that they spent 10 hours shooting the scene. She compared the experience to being "actually waterboarded," emphasizing the extreme conditions she faced. Waddingham explained that she was tightly strapped to a wooden table, preventing her from lifting her head. The actress even mentioned that the straps left marks on her skin, making it look as if she had been attacked.

The Emmy winner mentioned that everyone on the show was ready to make sacrifices for the authenticity of the series.

She expressed, "When you are part of Game of Thrones, all you want to do is deliver your best." She also mentioned, "Being on Thrones gave me something that took me by surprise."

Waddingham soon found out that Eugene Simon, another actor on the series, was going through a tougher time. Simon told her, "You're lucky. I've been crawling through mud on my elbows for four days."

During an episode of Collider Ladies Night in April 2022, Waddingham shared her experience of suffering while filming a torture scene. She described it as one of the worst days of her life, second only to childbirth.

Waddingham mentioned that Lena, who was involved in the scene, felt uncomfortable pouring liquid on her face for an extended period. Despite her own distress, Waddingham reflected on the decision to prioritize serving the piece over personal discomfort. She questioned whether to push through the challenging moment or back out, acknowledging the commitment required in such situations.

Waddingham recalls pushing through the discomfort during a challenging moment, reassuring herself that the production company would ensure her safety. She encouraged herself to continue despite feeling uncomfortable, reminding herself that as long as there was no real danger, she should keep going.

Next, Waddingham is set to appear in The Fall Guy alongside Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, scheduled to premiere in theaters on May 3. Additionally, she has a role in Mission Impossible 8, which is expected to be released in 2025.

Editor's P/S:

Hannah Waddingham's candid account of her harrowing experience on "Game of Thrones" sheds light on the intense sacrifices actors make in pursuit of authenticity. The scene in question, involving wine being poured on her face for hours, left her with lasting psychological trauma. Despite the discomfort, Waddingham's commitment to the role and the show's reputation as one of television's most demanding productions pushed her to endure. Her experience highlights the complex dynamics between actors, their characters, and the creative process.

Waddingham's comparison of the scene to waterboarding underscores the severity of the physical and emotional toll it took on her. The fact that she felt obligated to push through her discomfort to deliver a powerful performance speaks to the high expectations and pressure actors face in such demanding environments. Her story serves as a reminder of the often-unseen challenges that go into creating the captivating and immersive experiences audiences enjoy on screen.