Game of Thrones star Gemma Whelan has spoken about her experiences on the set of the hit HBO drama, describing the sex scenes as a ‘frenzied mess’.
The show was known for its nudity (famously leading star Ian McShane to label it ‘just tits and dragons’ a few years back) and actress Gemma has detailed how things were filmed.
Gemma, 40, is known for playing Yara Greyjoy on the programme, and said that the approach to filming intimate sequences is entirely different to other shows she’s worked on.
Speaking to the Guardian, Gemma said the performers were left to their own devices when she filmed Yara’s scenes.
‘They used to just say, “When we shout action, go for it!”, and it could be a sort of frenzied mess,’ she said.
Adding that the stars of the show always looked out for each other, Gemma said: ‘But between the actors there was always an instinct to check in with each other.
‘There was a scene in a brothel with a woman and she was so exposed that we talked together about where the camera would be and what she was happy with. A director might say, “Bit of boob biting, then slap her bum and go!”, but I’d always talk it through with the other actor.’
Gemma also discussed one of the most infamous sequences in the history of Game of Thrones, which saw Yara and Theon (Alfie Allen) take part in an incestous scene while riding a horse.
‘Alfie was very much, “Is this OK? How are we going to make this work?” With intimacy directors, it’s choreography – you move there, I move there, and permission and consent is given before you start. It is a step in the right direction,’ Gemma said.
Meanwhile, Kit Harington has admitted he’s going to struggle to watch Game of Thrones prequel House of The Dragon, three years after leaving his hero Jon Snow behind.
Game of Thrones is available to stream on NOW.
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