Nikki BermeisterWARNING: Spoilers ahead. If you haven’t seen Episode 3 of GoT, beware!
Episode three of Game of Thrones saw the end of several fan favourites, including arguably one of the most vital characters of the whole series: The Night King. Slain by Arya Stark, the life of The Night King came to an end after what was the longest battle scene in TV and film history.
Now the stunt man-turned-actor has done an interview speaking for the voiceless Night King, describing his experiences on set and what he thinks of the actions of the villain. Czech native, Vladimír Furdík, is the man under all the makeup and in an interview with Variety Magazine, he spills the beans about several things.
How He Became The Night King
What was going through your mind when you were playing the character?
With the costume and the makeup you already are the Night King, the makeup changes you, it helps you so much. Miguel Sapochnik [the director] also made the job easier for me. We had many discussions before in the office. Because I wasn’t an actor, he gave me a lesson on how to play. Afterwards my homework was to go to the hotel and cry in front of the mirror. He said, “I would like to see your tears, just play with your face.” He gave me many tests and directed me exactly where to go.
This character made your face infamous around the world.
I was so happy to have work, especially in this business. As a stunt man, many times directors asked me if I wanted to play small roles, until season 5, nobody knew how big this role was. It became bigger step by step, people started to talk about the Night King from season 6. Nobody knew how this character would grow up. Now we do.
On Working With Maisie Williams
What was it like shooting that final scene with Arya?
This was one of the hardest days of my life. I did many difficult stunts, running through fire, many crazy things. But this moment with Arya when I grab her, and the emotions from Maisie were so strong, I felt like I spent all my energy that day. It was raining, it was cold, it wasn’t easy for Maisie to jump at the right time, it wasn’t easy for me to grab her at the right time, it was the most difficult thing to do in front of a camera.
The Motivation For The Night King’s Attack
What do you think was the Night King’s motivation in the end?
He wants revenge.
Revenge for what?
Because somebody, many years ago, made some mistake and he became the Night King, and he didn’t want to be the Night King.
It’s not a fun life.
He was like now I have a way to go to war. Now I kill everybody because you made me the Night King and made me live seven or 10 thousand years behind the wall in a cold country. He’s tired of living out there in the cold and the snow.
The interview with Vladimír Furdík gives the fans some insight that we may not have ever known. Since the character himself uses no words and only a seething gaze, we’ve never really heard much about why the Night King might be doing what he is doing. You can read the rest of the interview here.
Image Credit: HBO
