Game of Thrones changed the lives of its entire cast forever, but arguably none more so than The Hound actor Rory McCann.
The 50-year-old is among the only stars of the fantasy epic to have made it through all eight seasons, before the Hound was killed by his brother.
While Game of Thrones’ final chapter was famously slated, fans found some redemption in the highly-anticipated ‘CleganeBowl’, the clash of the titans teased throughout the series’ entirety, which culminated during the penultimate episode with King’s Landing burning to the ground as a backdrop.
It was truly epic, even by Game of Thrones’ standards.
In turn, while Rory joined the cast of Game of Thrones at its birth, no one could have expected what was to come next. Game of Thrones became the biggest TV phenomenon since Friends, and by the time it came to season eight its remaining actors were making some serious bank.
But before Rory became The Hound, he was living in Iceland homeless. The probability he’d one day become one of the highest-paid TV actors in the world was unfathomable.
During the Game of Thrones Reunion Special, which will only be available on the Game of Thrones: Seasons One to Eight DVD box set, Rory revealed life was very different for the Irish-born actor before he arrived in Westeros.
‘Two years ago I was in a tent – literally in a tent – stealing food occasionally,’ he told host Conan O Brien.
‘Eventually I got a job and sorted myself out, but then suddenly I’m getting driven around in a nice car in the biggest and best show in the world; just shows how your fortunes can change. Amazing.’
He grinned: ‘I managed to go back there and pay my library fines.’
Rory was joined on stage by the Stark family – including Ned (Sean Bean) – to share various comical anecdotes from filming the record-breaking HBO blockbuster.
The final season of Game of Thrones and the full series boxset is available on DVD and Blu-ray from 2nd December.
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