Why Grey Worm Actor Jacob Anderson Secretly Found Game of Thrones Absolutely Life-Changing
Jacob Anderson, the actor who portrayed Grey Worm in Game of Thrones, shares his perspective on the show's impact From his introduction in season 3, Grey Worm's character underwent both highs and lows, leaving a lasting impression on the audience
Summary
Not considering it a significant endeavor, Jacob Anderson, the actor who portrayed Grey Worm in Game of Thrones, had a different perspective on filming the renowned series. His involvement primarily revolved around collaborating with a limited ensemble of performers rather than the entire vast cast.
The show enhanced Grey Worm's character by providing him with a continuous presence and a romantic relationship with Missandei, enabling a deeper exploration of his perspective and aspirations beyond his role as a warrior. However, his storyline in the final season proved to be inconsistent and disappointing, as the screen time dedicated to his relationship with Missandei was limited and his depiction as a merciless killing machine was diminished.
Game of Thrones actor Jacob Anderson reveals why filming the hit series didn't seem significant to him. Anderson joined the show in season 3 as Grey Worm, a soldier in the renowned Unsullied army. Once Daenerys Targaryen liberated the Unsullied, they remained fiercely loyal to her, electing Grey Worm as their leader. Grey Worm played a crucial role in the narrative, especially in Daenerys' storyline. Anderson was initially a recurring cast member from season 3 to season 7 but became a main cast member in season 8.
In an interview with NME, Anderson delves into why being a part of the cultural phenomenon that was Game of Thrones didn't feel extraordinary to him. This sentiment was mainly due to the fact that Grey Worm's scenes were primarily shared with Daenerys, Missandei, Tyrion Lannister, and Varys. As he mainly worked with this close-knit group of actors portraying these characters, Anderson rarely interacted with the larger ensemble cast and only fully grasped the immense scale of Game of Thrones when he watched the final episodes. Check out Anderson's remarks below.
How Game Of Thrones Improved & Failed Grey Worm's Character
The way in which the show was created contrasted greatly with how it was perceived and digested by viewers. Even though it was a significant undertaking, I personally never felt the magnitude of it because our approach to creating the show felt quite modest.
Grey Worm's character in Game of Thrones surpasses his portrayal in George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire book series. While both versions showcase Grey Worm as an unwaveringly loyal Unsullied soldier chosen to lead his comrades, the television series enhances his presence and role within Daenerys's narrative. In the books, the emphasis lies on Grey Worm embodying the essence of the Unsullied, his unwavering devotion to Daenerys, and his exceptional skills as a warrior. Game of Thrones expands on this foundation by granting Grey Worm a more prominent position and amplifying his voice in the unfolding of Daenerys's storylines.
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In the show, Grey Worm and Missandei develop a romantic connection, which is not present in the books. This revised storyline allows for a deeper exploration of Grey Worm's character, going beyond his role as a loyal and skilled warrior. Their relationship exposes Grey Worm to new experiences and prompts him to question his perspective on the world, pondering a future that extends beyond a perpetually violent existence.
Regrettably, Game of Thrones disappoints Grey Worm in its final season. Aside from a brief mention of their plans to visit Missandei's homeland of Naath after aiding Daenerys in claiming the Iron Throne, the show neglects to focus much on the relationship between these two characters before Missandei's brutal demise. Grey Worm is reduced to a merciless killing machine who executes captive Lannister soldiers, but the show fails to fully commit to this portrayal as he conveniently and reluctantly allows Jon Snow to be sent to the Wall instead of executing him, despite Jon's act of murdering Daenerys. Despite a larger role, Grey Worm's conclusion in Game of Thrones proves to be disappointing due to the inconsistency with his character development.
