Innovative Game of Thrones Alternate Finale Concept Pitched by Cersei Actress: A Vision Realized

Summary

Game of Thrones actor Lena Heady shares an alternate idea for Cersei's ending, wishing for a showdown with Arya and for Arya to wear Jaime's face.

Headey's pitch enhances the significance and poetic justice of Arya's fate by drawing connections to Cersei's previous decisions and relationships. However, adopting Headey's ending would have resulted in Arya sacrificing life in favor of death, contradicting the fulfilling resolution she experienced in the final episode.

Game of Thrones actress Lena Headey has revealed a thought-provoking alternative ending for her character, Cersei Lannister. Headey's portrayal of Cersei was widely praised throughout the series. Many fans expressed disappointment with the final season, feeling that Cersei's story arc was not given the attention it deserved and that her ultimate fate was lackluster. Rather than a long-awaited confrontation with Arya Stark or Daenerys Targaryen, Cersei and Jaime Lannister met their demise when the Red Keep collapsed during the Battle of King's Landing.

During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Headey was asked if she had ever envisioned her ideal conclusion for Cersei in Game of Thrones. The actress shared an alternative ending that she had discussed with co-star Maisie Williams, who portrayed Arya. This proposed ending would have tied together Cersei's story, her complex relationship with Jaime, and Arya's longstanding desire to avenge the Lannister queen. Here are Headey's remarks:

Would Headey's Pitch Have Worked Well?

I believe we all did, to be completely honest, as we started attempting to write the story on our own. Both [actress Maisie Williams, who portrays Arya Stark] and I used to envision a remarkable confrontation between Cersei and Arya, hoping that she would return disguised as Jaime. That was our ultimate dream. However, the creators opted for a different direction and made alternative choices.

Headey's idea for Cersei and Jaime's ending is a captivating one that could arguably be considered better. It ties back to Cersei's actions in season 1, particularly her betrayal of House Stark which led to Ned Stark's execution upon the order of her son, Joffrey Baratheon. Despite the havoc she wreaked on House Stark, she never managed to find Arya. It would feel like a fitting retribution for Arya to be the one to ultimately bring her demise. The twist of Arya assuming Jaime's identity adds an extra layer of satisfaction, as it encompasses the trust and love Cersei had for Jaime as a contributing factor to her downfall.

This conclusion would suggest that Cersei's past choices and relationships had a more direct influence on her eventual demise, while also presenting a more satisfying outcome for Jaime by allowing him to play a role in her story without necessitating a physical reunion with his sister. Another frequent critique of Game of Thrones season 8 revolves around the abandonment of Jaime's compelling character development as he abandons Brienne of Tarth in favor of reuniting with and ultimately dying alongside Cersei. However, by having Arya assume a disguise resembling Jaime, his impact on his sister's fate can still be significant without undermining the progression of his own character.

With Cersei remaining a target on Arya's list and her extensive training with the Faceless Men, this conclusion could be viewed as a gratifying culmination of Arya's voyage. However, the drawback is that it implies Arya would have concluded the series by favoring death instead of life. One aspect that season 8 accomplishes effectively is portraying Arya's decision to embrace life rather than risking it to seek vengeance against Cersei. Opting for this path and embarking on the unexplored realm beyond Westeros provides a fulfilling resolution for her character, one that would not have been compatible with Headey's portrayal of Game of Thrones' ending.