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Game of Thrones vet Kristian Nairn recalls the emotional experience of filming Hodor’s death scene

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Game of Thrones vet Kristian Nairn recalls the emotional experience of filming Hodor's death scene

As a dedicated fan of Game of Thrones, I have to say that Hodor’s death scene in “The Door” was undoubtedly one of the most heart-wrenching moments in the entire series. Kristian Nairn’s portrayal of the gentle giant was truly unforgettable, and his memoir, Beyond the Throne, offers a unique insight into the making of this iconic scene.

The TV series “Game of Thrones” was renowned for its impactful death scenes, and none tugged at our heartstrings quite like that of Hodor. This lovable giant character, portrayed by Kristian Nairn, was a beloved symbol of the show, despite knowing only one word. His demise in season 6’s “The Door” episode was heroic as he selflessly shielded his companions Bran and Meera from a horde of undead, allowing them to flee to safety. This heart-wrenching scene unfolded across a flashback, revealing that Bran indirectly caused Hodor’s mental impairment in the past. It was a poignant, emotional moment.

In his memoir titled “Beyond the Throne: Epic Journeys, Enduring Friendships, and Surprising Tales“, Nairn discusses this topic extensively. You can purchase it right now. For a detailed account of this specific scene, head over to Wired, where they have a complete extract that starts with Nairn’s heartfelt conversation with Isaac Hempstead-Wright, who portrayed Bran Stark from the very beginning.

“Kristian!” Isaac also rushes up to say hello, but I notice that he doesn’t run to hug me. Immediately, sadness surges through me. I haven’t seen him for months, but what’s obvious is just how much Isaac has grown. He’s 15 now. Fifteen! He’s also nearly 6 foot tall. My rational brain kicks in. Would I have wanted to bear-hug anyone at that age? Categorically no. But it’s also weird to think of our first day together when Isaac used me as a human climbing frame and smashed my iPhone in the Paint Hall. What a journey we’ve been on since then …

Over the course of the series, due to Bran losing the ability to walk and Hodor serving as a sort of transport, Nairn had been tasked with carrying Hempstead-Wright for quite some time. Despite Nairn being 6’10”, lifting a 6-foot tall 15-year-old was still a far cry from what he was used to, given that Hodor was much larger. As the show progressed, many scenes showing Nairn hoisting Bran became the responsibility of his stunt double, Brian. This allowed Nairn more time to focus on delivering a memorable performance during Hodor’s significant death scene.

It appears that Narin found it difficult to focus, as he writes, “I feel overwhelmed by the weight of everything expected of me.” In other words, “Good God, Kristian, you need to perform at your best,” he tells himself, but his agitation is so intense that [episode director Jack Bender] observes his struggle.

“Are you OK?” he asks after a few takes, which I’ve barely managed to get through. “Are you having difficulty?”

“Yes, it’s awful,” the words tumble from me. Hodor’s subtle tics used to come easily to me, but now I’m tying myself in knots trying to express them. I explain to Jack the mad journey I’ve been on for the past year, and the personal journey I’ve been on, too. I’m finding stepping back into inhabiting someone other than myself very hard. Then I stop. Did I just say all of that … to a director I don’t know? I think. Years ago, I would have kept silent, like when my back was breaking in the Great Hall. I stop talking and watch Jack’s eyes carefully. Is he going to understand? Help me work this out? Or dismiss me and move on?

“OK, just take it easy,” he smiles.

“I’ll be fine, but everyone might need to be a bit patient,” I say quickly. Jack gives me a shoulder squeeze.

“Just relax. It will all come flooding back,” he reassures me.

In due course, it turns out that Jack is correct, much like John Ruskin before him. And as time passes, I indeed recall: “Don’t overanalyze Hodor; don’t overanalyze your performance.” As the morning progresses, Hodor resurfaces, feeling like an old acquaintance once more.

In the end, Nairn didn’t cross paths with Sam Coleman, the actor portraying his younger self, as Coleman had already finished filming his scenes a few days earlier. However, Bender shared some of Coleman’s outtakes with Nairn to help him fine-tune his performance. As you may recall, it all worked out splendidly in the end.

Despite some challenges out of sight, Hodor forcefully opens the titular door, allowing Bran and Meera to flee from the Three-Eyed Raven’s cave just as an army of wights approached. Snow and debris made it appear tough to open the door, but Nairn, being so large, made it seem effortless on camera. To make it look more challenging, director Jack Bender repeatedly instructed additional people to push against Hodor from the other side. Eventually, eight individuals were needed to counterbalance Hodor’s force.

Everything turned out splendidly! Ever since then, Nairn has graced screens in series such as Our Flag Means Death, an endearing pirate comedy now available for streaming on Max – similar to Game of Thrones.

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2024-09-25 19:41

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