The character is sometimes mocked as Brienne the Beauty for being a tall and muscular woman.
And Brienne of Tarth actress Gwendoline Christie says it was these ‘ugly’ qualities that left her friends baffled when she agreed to play the Game of Thrones part.
Star Wars star Gwendoline, 39, admits the triumph of Brienne was ‘both a professional and personal’ conquest because she was determined to show the beauty in ‘inconsistencies, complexities and ugly parts’.
Gwendoline told ES Magazine this week: ‘I know how generic it sounds but it just was, in every sense of the word, incredible that that part should come along, made for me in a way that none of my friends would’ve identified for a second.
‘They saw all of the fighting, the physicality, the fact that it was a character who was constantly being described as ugly.’
She added: ‘If this is the small-minded, mean, uncompassionate viewpoint of the inside, then I don’t want to be there. I’m happy out here with all the other leftovers, who show love and support for each other.’
Game Of Thrones fans had earmarked Gwendoline for the role of Brienne, even before she auditioned for it.
Previously, Gwendoline revealed that a fansite emailed her agent to alert her to the role.
She said at the time: ‘I suppose that’s the power of the books – people feel so passionately. I thought that was lovely.’
And Gwendoline had already started to get physically ready for the role before landing the part, gaining 14 pounds and training three to four times a week.
‘I had to make a substantial leap physically to even be considered,’ she told Vogue.
‘Let alone exceed the capacity of those around me who were competing for the part.’
MORE: Henry Cavill’s manager urges Superman fans to chill out, ‘the cape is still in his closet’
MORE: Crazy Rich Asians cast didn’t know how ‘powerful’ movie was until they watched it
Got a story?
If you’ve got a story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk Entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
