With just a single word, actor Kristian Nairn brought to life someone who’d become one of the most beloved characters on one of the biggest TV shows of all time: Hodor in Game of Thrones. The lovable, monosyllabic servant of House Stark was a large presence across seasons 1-4 and season 6 of the HBO show (he was absent from season 5), before meeting his end in one of its most shocking and devastating death scenes, and Nairn was a key part of Game of Thrones‘ cast through that time.
Now that Hodor no longer needs to be holding the door, and five years removed from Game of Thrones‘ ending, Nairn has written a book to talk about his experiences on the series – and so much more. In Beyond the Throne: Epic Journeys, Enduring Friendships and Surprising Tales, the actor recounts growing up in Northern Ireland, with all the trials, tribulations, and triumphs that come with it
He also talks, of course, about Game of Thrones and what came next. Screen Rant spoke to Nairn about the writing of the book, Hodor’s death, Bran Stark becoming king, and much more, showing he’s capable of saying a lot more than just “Hodor!”
Kristian Nairn On Writing Beyond The Throne, Our Flag Means Death, And Becoming Hodor
“I just wanted to put myself in there and I didn’t hide anything.”
Screen Rant: Congratulations on the book. It’s a really great read and achievement. You left Game of Thrones eight years ago, the show ended five years ago. Why is now the time to tell your story?
Kristian Nairn: Thank you! Well, I think that if you read the book, it’s all about an evolving process. I don’t know if I would’ve felt ready to write the book five years ago. Our Flag Means Death has done a lot for me as well personally, and all the cast actually, not just me, all of us. It’s been a wonderful experience and that helped me get to the place of wanting to share my story and that I could actually be valuable.
When you’re an out gay person, and you’re feeling okay about everything, sometimes you forget that not everybody’s at that same level. Not everybody’s at that same stage of their development. So if there’s anything that I can do at all to make sure that people maybe have something to look to, to understand that other people are going through the same struggles and get to a place where they’re happy with themselves, if it can speed that process up for someone, I’ll be very happy and I’ve done the job. The biggest problem is your voice in your head, and that’s what you have to quiet. You’re totally your own worst enemy when it comes to confidence and performing and stuff. And it’s just learning how to learn from that voice and not let it keep you back.
It’s interesting you mentioned Our Flag Means Death, because in the book you write about how that was so different in terms of roles for a gay actor or about gay characters and how it portrayed them in such a happier light. And when I was reading the book, and obviously you kind of know going in, because you’re from Northern Ireland, there’s going to be the Troubles and stuff like that. But what I also thought and what really caught me off guard was how much warmth, humor, and love there was in your backstory. I didn’t know if that was something that had maybe come from working on Our Flag Means Death, insofar as you wanted to really find that balance?
Kristian Nairn: Yeah, but you know what, man, as someone who was in the Troubles in some pretty bad years, the terrible things that happened, man, some really awful stuff happened. And really it hurt your heart and really hurt your soul. I think it really has hurt all of us on both sides. We’re all walking wounded from Northern Ireland, but we handle it with humor. I believe. Obviously guys from Northern Ireland, I can’t speak for you all, but in my experience we handle it with dark humor because during the Troubles we got on with it, man.
It’s like what’s happening in Ukraine now. I have friends in Ukraine. They’re still going to their jobs. They’re still going, and they’re even trying to have a comic con there at the moment because they’re just trying to do something normal in the middle of all that. And that’s what we did. We just got on with it. You still went to the malls, you just got your bag searched for bombs, check beneath your car, you know what I mean? Off you go. What else do you do? You can’t let those people win. People from Northern Ireland and Ireland in general are resilient, and we’ve been through a lot over the years. I did my genealogy recently, and I couldn’t be any more Celtic. My family has never left, which is funny. I used to pretend I was Norwegian when I was a child, but I discovered that my family never left the swathe of land between the north of Ireland and Scotland. I’ve never left, so the chances of me being inbred, I’ll leave it there…
Well, you were on Game of Thrones, so…
Kristian Nairn: [Laughs] Yeah, I know! Do not put that as the headline. I will come and find you!
One of the things I also loved about the book is that if it has a hero, as it were, it is your mom.
Kristian Nairn: Good, because that’s what I wanted.
I was going to ask, was that your intent? Was this sort of a tribute and a celebration of your mom and that was really something you wanted to shine through?
Kristian Nairn: Yeah. Sorry, my God. The stuff about my mom gets me emotional. I can talk about myself and my troubles all day, but I talk about the stuff mom’s been through and how amazing she is. Yeah.
Well, that really comes through and it’s so beautiful.
Kristian Nairn: Well, that’s good. Thank you. She’s an amazing woman. She’s a warrior. She is. And we all love our moms, you know, I would say if you’re lucky enough to have a relationship with your mom. As a gay man, we all love our moms.
Yeah. And we’ll transition a bit into Game of Thrones…
Kristian Nairn: I’m a mess! [Laughs]
Sorry, I understand it was very emotional. I was tearing up reading parts of it towards the end. It just really resonated, and it was just the love that shone through, which I suppose is exactly what you want from a book, to have that response.
Kristian Nairn: I just wanted to put myself in there and I didn’t hide anything. Maybe change a name here or there. The facts are the facts, and they’re all in there.
And your mom plays a role in you getting Game of Thrones because she knew about A Song of Ice and Fire. She’d read the books, which I understand you still haven’t?
Kristian Nairn: No, I still haven’t. I never will. I did start, I started and my God, George [R.R. Martin] is a detailed and very talented writer. Jesus Christ he is, but it’s not for me. I don’t want to read three pages describing a lemon tart, but I love that depth as well. You know what I mean? I totally think it’s incredible. And George is my friend, I’m going to be bold enough to say. I’ve got a good relationship with George and his wife, and he’s just the most, I’ve said it in the book, he’s like an evil Ewok. I’ve never said that to his face, and maybe that’s why he killed me off. I don’t know. He’s got these dancing eyes and his brain’s – do you know those memes where people are thinking, and you see all the calculations? That’s what he’s doing. He’s always, always calculating.
Yeah, there’s so much going on. One of the things your mom said when you were offered the part is she thought Hodor was going to be special. And she was right. You mentioned that in the book. Was there a point early on in the story that you realized Hodor is so much more than what you see on the surface?
Kristian Nairn: Yeah, it was really during the warging stuff. I realized there’s probably going to be more cool stuff to do with this. I really enjoyed doing the warging stuff because as an actor, you’re almost playing a character inside a character in a stressful circumstance. Most of the times Bran would’ve warged under stress, at the start anyway. That’s when he discovered he could do it really, that and his dreams. But yeah, that was fun as an actor, it was just so different to be able to play Hodor in a different way, and that’s when I really fell in love with the character. I realized that I was going to have that type of scene as well, because it wasn’t always just lifting things and I might actually get to kill someone. And I did.
Kristian Nairn On Hodor’s Death & Filming Game Of Thrones In His Home Country
“How wonderful to be able to touch people like that and how privileged it is.”
One of the things you talked about in the book is one of the first warging scenes you have, which was in season 3, and it was directed by David Nutter, who did the Red Wedding. I loved your description of how he was as a director, and because he was so prominent in the show, I’d love just to talk a little bit more about how important he was, not only for you, but how you think he really captured Game of Thrones and was so responsible for things like the Red Wedding and how he elevated them.
Kristian Nairn: There were three directors I really responded to. He would definitely be number one. And then there was Jack Bender, who was incredible, and then there’s Michelle MacLaren. It’s so weird for me. I wasn’t an actor before I did this, and I’ve just listed off three of the best TV directors in the world, but David changed how I feel about directors. There is maybe an us and them, and maybe if you’re the top line cast, it might be different and you go to dinner with the director and stuff, but we don’t do that. We did on Our Flag Means Death, but that was different. It’s like there’s a separation between the director and what they want. And I kind of realized with David, it doesn’t have to be that way. If you have a bit of confidence about your character, not only does the director appreciate it, I think, because it shows you showing a knowledge of your character, and you’re willing to give a bit of input about it rather than just going along with it.
I’ve also seen actors really disagree strongly, almost verbally violently, against what the director wants. And that is also not a good look. So you have to try and find a way to collaborate in a non-toxic way. But David was very easy for that. I kind of felt like because it was, whether this is the truth or not, I don’t know, this is is all how I feel. Obviously I felt that with the stress and the commitments of Game of Thrones, I kind of think that the directors were under a lot of pressure, and they gave a lot of options, so the editors could have different options on the cutting room floor. But David knew exactly what he wanted, and he was like, ‘I want a camera here, here, here, here, here, here. You’re going to do this, you’re going to do that. Anything you want to say?’ And you would collaborate and then it’s like the scene is done, and you’ve got something you’re really happy with. Everyone’s happy. So I really liked that, but obviously people did respond to different direct techniques. But I really responded to David. I would love to work with him again someday.
Yeah. I think that really just shows in the episodes.
Kristian Nairn: I think he was their most used director, but he has a nickname, actually, they called him the Pilot Whisperer. There’s a rumor around LA that if he directs the pilot, the show, will go to series. It always happens.
In terms of your own work and your relationship with Game of Thrones – you talk quite a bit in the book about the beginning of the show. One thing that I thought, and this might just be me, is that there are connections between you and Hodor. I mean things like you talk about your Nan a lot, and then Hodor is with Old Nan very closely, or growing up in Belfast and then you’re around all these locations, like Castle Ward, that you would’ve visited as a child. Did you find any kind of personal connections there? Did they help ground that world for you or help you relate to it at all, since it’s so different to reality?
Kristian Nairn: Yeah, you’re saying it’s different to reality, but I knew all these locations as well. For me, as you say, it was like, wow, there’s a castle there now. That kind of thing. But I was so proud to see Northern Ireland used as a canvas for that. We talked about the Troubles already and that’s all Northern Ireland was known for on every tourist who came to Belfast wanted to see the murals and stuff. But now I would say it’s probably 50/50 people want to see all the Game Throne stuff and all the other filming stuff that happens here. So that has been amazing to sort of highlight Northern Ireland in that way.
And I really loved Margaret [John, who played Old Nan], I hope that comes across in the book. She was really sweet, and she put me at ease on my first day and everything. She did remind me of my own grandmother in a way. She’s no longer with us obviously, and I would’ve liked her to have been around to see what’s happened as well. And that’s why I think it was doubly sad for me when Margaret died during the time off. What a wonderful woman. But yeah, I sometimes wonder, does Game of Thrones mean more or something different to me than the rest of the people because I’m from that country and Northern Ireland is very much Westeros. It’s all around you. You know what I mean? So I wonder if it means something more or different or less. I just mean really different, to me, than for the other cast members. But they can write their books and tell me.
Yeah, that’s really interesting. And I think a really great point. You talk about Belfast and why people visit. I’ve only visited Belfast twice and both times were because of Game of Thrones.
Kristian Nairn: Oh really? I thought you were going to say the murals! Which tours did you do?
I did two different location tours in the same weekend. One had the direwolves, which I was amazed by, and then things like the Carrick-a-Rede bridge, and where they shot the Iron Islands, Giant’s Causeway, the Dark Hedges. I was just floored by how beautiful that part of the world is. Why did no one tell me?
Kristian Nairn: I know, we have a very beautiful country. The UK gets a bad rap and Ireland as well. We have, on very two small islands, we’ve got so much amazing scenery, and England as well. Look at the center of England, it’s all little villages and everything. Europe, every country’s good at something. I don’t think we celebrate ourselves enough for that. It’s a beautiful country. And Game of Thrones has been a wonder for my home country.
Yeah, that’s really great, and I think Hodor is a part of that as well, because he’s just such a popular character. I know you were told early on he was going to be popular, but could you ever have imagined how popular?
Kristian Nairn: I’d never even done a day of acting at that stage and I didn’t know how to even say Hodor at that stage and no. They were like, ‘your character’s going to be a main character. There’d probably be lots of memes about him,’ and god they right. But I didn’t believe them. I was like, ‘really? He only says one word, why?’ But yeah, I kind of think maybe when I got it, hopefully everyone got it. It took me a season or two to really get into it. But yeah, I hope that people came with me on that.
And then you have, unfortunately, Hodor’s death, which is one of the most emotional and harrowing moments in the entire show. And when you watch season 1, you would probably never suspect this character is going to break your heart. When you read the script, or even when you filmed it, did you have any idea just how devastating it would be and what kind of response that would get?
Kristian Nairn: I knew it was really cool, and I knew it was sad, but I hadn’t pictured it with all the music and everything. And it’s hard to picture when you’re on set because you’re still concentrating on just doing your own thing and vibing with the other actors really. But you never really put it together in your head as to how this is going to look. And I hadn’t seen the performance of Sam [Coleman] who played Young Hodor, and they’re trying to match me to what he was doing, moving the head and stuff. It actually really works, but I hadn’t seen that. I didn’t see the whole thing pieced together until maybe two months later and then I realized I was like, that is pretty rough. But I still didn’t know what the reaction was going to be, and still to this day people cry. I get people cry all the time. How wonderful to be able to touch people like that and how privileged it is. It’s definitely a privilege.
Do you feel like, when we talk about Hodor being popular, that the death made him more popular? You have things like memes, and t-shirts. I’ve got a Hodor doorstop in my house.
Kristian Nairn: Of course you do! I have a hundred of them. My mom actually uses them sometimes for doorstops, and I’m always like, really? Mom? Really? She knows it pisses me off. But yeah, all the merch, even this weekend I signed about 10 doorstops. I should have released those as merchandise. But back to the question, it’s almost like an artist, you know, like Van Gogh, was he celebrated before he died? Am I a posthumous character? Am I being celebrated posthumously? I’ve never thought about that before, but yeah, he definitely got more popular after he died. I think that’s pretty common. You know what I mean?
Especially when you have that kind of death in particular. I think it’s going to really just take off. I think I remember seeing David Benioff and Dan Weiss, they talked about how Hodor’s death and the closed time loop was one of three what they called “holy s**t” moments that they got from George R.R. Martin. Was that something you ever spoke to George about, or you’ve had a conversation about since?
Kristian Nairn: Oh, since, yes, we have, but not before. No one told me anything and I did ask, but in hindsight, wisely, they didn’t tell me. I don’t think I could have held that for four years, no way. And I wouldn’t have wanted to know either because it was such a pure character and someone who is so dependent on how their body language is and facial expressions are. I didn’t want to know because it’s foreshadowing, and it could have affected how I played it – it might’ve been better, might’ve made it worse, but it would’ve made it different, and I didn’t want that. It’s not good to know too much because the character you’re playing doesn’t know what’s about to happen. So to play that with authenticity, it’s better just to do it that way, I think.
In the conversations you’ve had with George R.R. Martin since, have you gleaned anything more about that scene? Has he given you any more details or depth to it or any explanation?
Kristian Nairn: No. I don’t want to know either, because I know how hungry people are for that information and I don’t want that responsibility. I’m also kind of afraid that he’s going to do something even cooler. I’ll be like, ‘guys, can we redo this?’
Hodor’s alive!
Kristian Nairn: He’s on the throne. My god, how did that happen? That’s never going to happen, but it’ll be interesting.
Kristian Nairn On Bran Becoming King, The Game Of Thrones Backlash, And What’s Next
“What better king to have than someone who actually knows everything? He can learn from the history of the past…”
In terms of who is on the Iron Throne, in the book you do briefly touch on the Game of Thrones ending, which was divisive, to put it mildly. I don’t think it’s perfect, but it really works as a conclusion, so I would love a bit more detail on what you love about it and why you think it works as someone who works so closely on that show?
Kristian Nairn: It’s not perfect, no. But also keep in mind I’m not a scriptwriter, neither are 99.99% of people. There are some who think they are, but I do know I’m not, so I have that. So [the response] disappointed me really. I don’t feel responsible for it obviously, because I was long since dead. But it disappointed me because the show had been held in such high regard, and I don’t think it deserved it. I don’t think there was a way they could have ended it to keep people happy. There’s never been a show in the history of television, I believe – maybe Breaking Bad, maybe – where people had been so invested in their characters and I think everyone had their own final fantasy of what was going to happen at the end with Daenerys, and any deviation from that, especially such an extreme one, it’s going to piss them off.
Although people say that Daenerys acted out of character and stuff and so quickly, but I just don’t understand how they didn’t see that throughout the show. I was waiting for it to happen the whole way. The signs were there guys. She actually said at one stage that as soon as Drogon’s big enough, she’s going to burn the ass out of King’s Landing. And what happened? She did exactly what she said. The only criticism I have, and it’s not really criticism, because I understand budgetary issues and stuff, but I just wish it was longer.
I don’t think those longer episodes worked. I think it would’ve been better to have more episodes. The Michael Bay thing, that’s how I explain it. There was a little of a sprinkling of Michael Bay put over the last season with the explosions and lots of dragons. They’d given us some of that, which had given us a hunger for them, and then all of a sudden, they were ‘you’re dinner’s here, maybe it’s not as appetizing as you thought.’ Sometimes the thought of dinner is better than dinner.
They’re doing something similar now with House of Dragons as well. Everyone’s waiting for the dragon fights and I’m trying to warn people. Obviously, I know the Game of Thrones franchise, and you may be be waiting 20 years for this, you realize, but maybe it’s going to be next season, who knows? But I wouldn’t set my watch. I mean I wouldn’t set an alarm for it. I just wish people were happier with it, because I really enjoyed it. The scenes with Peter [Dinklage] walking through the rubble and people said, ‘oh God, I really wanted Cersei to get a really horrible death.’ And what about their death? It was like a Renaissance painting. It was art. So much beautiful work, the music and stuff, and people are going ‘that’s s**t.’ What are you talking about?
For you as well, with Bran becoming king, you had a major part to play in that, because it wouldn’t have happened without Hodor.
Kristian Nairn: It’s my fault!
Did you feel a sense of pride or were you really shocked?
Kristian Nairn: People message me all the time. I get DMs, I don’t just mean comments, but DMs, saying Hodor died for nothing because of Isaac [Hempstead Wright, who played Bran], because they didn’t like him being on the throne. ‘It just ruined it all. You’ve died for nothing.’ And well, first of all, I’m not dead. If you DM, you’re not actually DMing Hodor, you know. Thirdly, get a hobby. [Laughs] No, I’m only kidding. But yeah, people felt so strongly about that. I actually liked that Bran was king. What better king to have than someone who actually knows everything and he can learn from the history of the past, not through hearing it, but actually being there.
And does not want power in any way.
Kristian Nairn: No, he didn’t want power. That’s the best ruler. Someone who doesn’t want it. It’s the problem we have in the world today in many different countries. We all need a Bran.
You mentioned House the Dragon as well, so I take it you’ve watched that. Do you compare that to Game of Thrones? Is it difficult to watch it?
Kristian Nairn: Of course I do [compare them]. It’s like a different semester or term in college or school, we’re like the older generation. I was at a convention recently with Tom [Glynn-Carney, who plays Aegon on House of the Dragon] and I was just interested to watch him go do all the PR stuff and, yeah, I’m proud of them. They don’t need me to be proud of them obviously, but season 1 I think was off the charts. I think it was almost as good as Game of Thrones. I think it felt almost like a continuation, although it’s in the past, I felt like it was just the next episode or something.
I don’t think the same about season 2, but I can say that without being negative. I don’t think it’s bad. I do really like it, but to me it’s something different. I don’t know if I’m wrong about this, but I’ve spoke to a few people about it and I don’t think I’m too far off the mark. It just feels different. There’s a vibe, there’s a heavy Game of Thrones vibe throughout the show.And to me it’s just different. But I’m still going to keep watching. I think it just feels a bit different to me. That’s all. I’m sure that could be twisted into the fact that I fu**ing hate it, but I don’t. I really like it. I love fantasy in all forms and I’m loving the dragons in this one. That’s incredible.
Yeah, I think the battle between the three dragons was just fantastic.
Kristian Nairn: Oh yeah, I know. There’s no show ever- I mean to use, it’s a crude term guys. No show has ever given me such a big nerd boner. I was in the show and I still get goosebumps, so that’s a good sign to me.
And they’re doing more spinoffs. The next one is A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, which has the main character, Ser Duncan the Tall – I don’t know if you’ve seen the theory that he is Hodor’s grandfather?
Kristian Nairn: Yeah. The weird thing is that he used to come to my nightclub in Belfast, the guy who plays him, Peter [Claffey]. He’s a really good guy, and I’m super pleased for him. I couldn’t believe it when I saw he was cast in it. He was filming a show in Belfast, a comedy, and every Saturday night without fail he’d come into the club, and as another actor we talked quite a lot. I was just chuffed as hell to hear it. I can’t wait to see what he does with it. And it’s just so interesting that there’s all that Duncan the Tall stuff as well, a sort of mythos with Hodor. Did Old Nan have a fling?!
We didn’t know she had that game!
Kristian Nairn: Good for Old Nan! I mean, I tell you what though, he is not tall, not compared to me. You might have to get him a pair of platforms if that’s going to work. Or he might have to date Brienne of Tarth and that might create a Hodor.
With them making so many spinoffs and still filming in Belfast, at least with A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, if they ever offered you a different role, would you take it?
Kristian Nairn: Would I not take a role in the show that changed my life and I’m going to get a second chance at it and a new character? Of course I would take it! I would take it tomorrow. I would take it before they even offered it to me. But do I think it’s going to happen? No. I was one of the most recognizable people on the planet probably. I don’t think I could sell that story. Although any character different to Hodor will be very different. So it’ll be very easy to play a very different character. But whereas I would do it, I don’t think I should, but hey guys, here I am, I’m available!
You never know, Hodor’s great-great grandfather could turn up.
Kristian Nairn: That could work. Hang on, hold on. I just imagine me calling George,
Get this story written, George.
Kristian Nairn: Yeah!
In terms of what you do have coming up, you’re doing a podcast series with Jon Hamm, Felicia Day, Will Wheaton, an incredible cast. Can you tell me a little bit about that?
Kristian Nairn: We never actually got to meet each other, that’s the weird thing. People think we’re all sitting in a room collaborating. I was sitting in my bedroom in Belfast. But what a fun thing to be a part of. And I didn’t know much about Dungeons and Dragons, surprisingly to some people, but I don’t play Dungeons and Dragons really. My imagination doesn’t really go in that direction. But it’s funny, it’s an interesting story. If you don’t know the story of Dungeons and Dragons starting, there’s quite a lot of interest and intrigue and even crime – someone went missing, that kind of thing. It’s an interesting story and it’s true. That’s the thing. I play the guy who ran the one little game shop where people played, and it was a lot of fun.
I love to do voice work. It’s very different to on camera acting. It’s nice to have that time just to really focus on what you’re saying because when you’re in person acting, you’re always watching your body language and how you fit into the scene. But we can really just focus on the minutia of your voice. I really found I really enjoy that. But I do have a very distinctive voice no matter what accent I do or try to do I sound like me. Liam Neeson does it, so why not? It might be a Northern Ireland thing. We do have a unique way of speaking. I know it’s one of the hardest accents as an actor to learn, so maybe that’s good to have it.
I just want to go to the last line of the book, which I think is a lovely note to end with, where you talk about learning the message to just be yourself and go for it. Is that ultimately the message you want people to take away?
Kristian Nairn: The message I want people to take away is no one has any power over your life and ability to tell you who you are, what you want to do. You’re the one that’s control of your own life and the sooner you realize that better. I wish I’d realized earlier, I wish I had had the confidence earlier, but that’s just the way it works. I think you find it at the right time. I hope you find it at the right time and yeah, that’s what I want people to take away.
Beyond the Throne: Epic Journeys, Enduring Friendships and Surprising Tales
by Kristian Nairn is available now, and is published by Hachette Book Group.
