Lyonel Baratheon’s outbursts were improvised, says actor Daniel Ings

Daniel Ings brings big energy to Ser Lyonel Baratheon in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. As the Laughing Storm, he’s a fun-loving Baratheon lord who is loud and quick to shout, drink, and throw himself into any chaos. He’s like an earlier version of Robert Baratheon from the original Game of Thrones, but with even more wild charm and no filter.

Quick read:

• Daniel Ings improvised his acting during some scenes

• He talked how improvisation makes Lyonel Baratheon unpredictable

• Him and the team came up with random abusive outbursts to make the character feel more alive

Daniel Ings on his improvisation

In the Dunk and Egg story, Lyonel steals scenes with his over-the-top personality, especially when he bonds with Ser Duncan the Tall over food, dance, and ridiculous fun. In his Vulture interview, Ings shared how he helped shape this memorable character.

He revealed working closely with showrunner Ira Parker to add extra spice through improvisation on set.

“He’s known as the Laughing Storm. That was fun, trying to figure out abusive stuff that my character could be shouting at everyone. I wanted him to feel slightly irreverent and loose and a bit unpredictable. The easiest way of doing that is to be a bit unpredictable.”

Instead of just reading the lines as written, Ings revealed that him as well as the team came up with rude, loud outbursts and random shouts right there during filming. These ad-libs made Lyonel feel more alive. This resulted into a character who’s hilarious, a bit scary in his intensity, but mostly just entertaining to watch.

This approach however fits the show’s vibe perfectly. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is lighter and more character-driven than some other Thrones shows. It is about humour, friendship, and everyday adventures in Westeros.

Lyonel Baratheon’s unpredictable side shines in moments like his big entrance, feasts, and that famous dance scene with Dunk where two huge guys just goof around and enjoy themselves. Ings makes Lyonel feel fresh and exciting. His improv turns a noble lord into someone fans can’t help but root for. It’s one reason the Laughing Storm has become a fan favorite so quickly.