Game of Thrones’ Natalie Dormer Says Margaery Tyrell’s Death was ‘Frustrating’

Game of Thrones' Natalie Dormer Says Margaery Tyrell's Death was 'Frustrating'

As a follower who closely followed the journey of Natalie Dormer’s character, Margaery Tyrell, in Game of Thrones, I can empathize with her feelings about her character’s untimely demise. Playing a role for four years and becoming deeply connected to it is no small feat, and it must have been heart-wrenching for Dormer to see her character meet such a tragic end.


Acting a character for numerous years can be an emotionally intense experience for any actor, and this was undeniably true for Natalie Dormer, who portrayed Margaery Tyrell in HBO’s renowned series, Game of Thrones. Westeros is known for its harshness and brutality, but Margaery might have been one of the few morally upright characters in this celebrated show, as depicted in George R.R. Martin’s novels. The Tyrell household met its tragic end at the hands of one of television’s most despicable villains, Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey). In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Margaery and her brother Loras faced a fiery demise as the Great Sept of Baelor was destroyed by wildfire. Dormer portrayed Margaery for four seasons, first appearing in Season 2, before being written off in Season 6, and her death was equally shocking for Dormer as it was for viewers.

In an interview with Collider’s Ladies Night, Dormer expressed her disappointment at being written off in “Game of Thrones.” The actress confided that she strongly identified with the role and sometimes found herself emotionally immersed in her character during specific scenes. When Margaery Tyrell was cornered in the Sept of Baelor for her brother’s trial, she felt annoyed to learn that Cersei had orchestrated their family’s demise. Dormer elaborated on this:

In my critique of this film, I found myself perplexed when the lead character made a certain choice, but then I empathized with her frustration in the subsequent scene. An esteemed elder actor once imparted wisdom to me: “Never confuse yourself. When you’re feeling an emotion, ensure it’s not just your character experiencing it, and it’s not seeping into you unintentionally.” You see, when we act, our body doesn’t discern between reality and role-playing, especially during prolonged filming where emotions can subtly permeate us.

Natalie Dormer Would Have Liked a Better Ending for Her Character

Game of Thrones' Natalie Dormer Says Margaery Tyrell's Death was 'Frustrating'Game of Thrones' Natalie Dormer Says Margaery Tyrell's Death was 'Frustrating'

The saying “Nice guys finish last” holds true within the world of “Game of Thrones”. Throughout her time on the series, Margaery Tyrell encountered numerous hardships, with her marriage to the loathsome King Joffrey Baratheon (portrayed by Jack Gleeson) being one of the most distressing. Dormer, who played Margaery, expressed disappointment that her character didn’t receive a more favorable conclusion than becoming yet another victim of Cersei in Season 6. Dormer elaborated:

Indeed, she deserved a better situation. I yearned for something greater for her, yet in that instant, she was deeply agitated with the Sparrow (Jonathan Pryce), and this played a role. It’s a sign that you’re on the right path when you feel like you need someone to understand you a bit more. In the end, she was proven correct. It may have been just a few words, but they carried significant weight. She was vindicated, and in that moment, I felt I could release her because she had spoken up, and it was her time.

Among many surprising scenes in the series, Margaery Tyrell’s death stood out as one of the most shocking and stunning. While Cersei watched from the Red Keep, an instant destruction swept through the Sept of Baelor as Cersei’s men ignited wildfire beneath the church, annihilating all the Sparrows within. The fall of House Tyrell was solidified when Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) led an attack on Hightower and ended the life of Olenna Tyrell (Dame Diana Rigg), the house’s matriarch.

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2024-09-09 15:31