Game of Thrones star Brenock O’Connor has no hard feelings about missing out on the title role in Amazon Prime Video‘s Alex Rider series.
O’Connor, who is best known for playing Jon Snow’s traitorous Night’s Watch protege Olly in Thrones, originally auditioned to play the kid adventurer before landing the role of Alex’s pal Tom Harris instead.
During a recent chat with Digital Spy and other press, the 20-year-old actor explained why he was actually thankful not to have landed the all-important lead role in Alex Rider.
“There’s not a boy in England who doesn’t know Alex Rider from a certain generation,” he said. “I was auditioning for Alex originally, and I got the thing through originally, and I [found out] I’m not Alex Rider.
Joe MaherGetty Images
“I read the scene, and it was this scene between Alex and this kid who was this nerdy kid who was into films, and wasn’t very good at all the action stuff… They liked me for Alex until the final day, and then on the final day, they were like, ‘Oh can you read Tom’s [lines]?’ I was like, ‘Yeah, I’ve been saying that since the beginning!’
“To be involved in this in any way is a dream come true. The books are just a major influence on my childhood.”
O’Connor also pushed back on questions over whether playing a divisive character in Game of Thrones made him “wary” to join another franchise with a passionate fanbase.
Sony Pictures
“I wouldn’t say ‘wary’,” he insisted. “I would say ‘grateful’ for the fact that we’ve already got a decent fanbase behind us. We’re not starting from scratch and clawing our way into being relevant. We’re based on a multi-international, best-selling book series that is universally loved by kids.
“We’ve got a major kickstart into making this a successful TV show… I don’t [feel any pressure]. My name isn’t on the lead!”
Alex Rider will be released on Amazon Prime Video on June 4. Game of Thrones seasons 1-8 are now available on DVD and Blu-ray.
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