Natalie Dormer Thinks “Actors Shouldn’t Have Opinions” About ‘Game Of Thrones’ And Sexism
Hm, interesting.
Game of Thrones is a show that despite being almost universally beloved, is still heavily criticised for its casual depiction of sexual assault and its tendency to include a naked babe in every episode (no, seeing the Hound’s dick is not the same thing — no offence, Hound).
Even though this season has seemed a lot more thoughtful and nuanced when it comes to the treatment of female characters, the conversation has not disappeared. In an interesting interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Natalie Dormer (who plays Margaery Tyrell) has argued that actors “shouldn’t have opinions” about sexism in television because they have to “empathise with whichever perspective” they are given.
“It’s not my job to defend the show,” she said. “The actor’s job is to be the vessel of the text of the writers. Sometimes, I feel like it’s a little unfair that we’re asked to defend all the choices in the show.”
Dormer went onto say that the shownrunners DB Weiss and David Benioff, were as “as far away from misogynistic as you can get” and that it’s the role of good drama to provoke tough conversations (although, depicting misogyny isn’t the same as critiquing it). It’s a tough line that actors have to tread in cases like these, and Dormer makes some good points. These actors don’t create the scenes that we’re seeing, but saying that they shouldn’t have an opinion on the material is bizarre.
Other actors in the show don’t share Dormer’s viewpoint: Emilia Clarke (Daenerys ) is so vocal about wanting to see more “full frontal pretty boy” penis on the show, that she’s started to sound like a drunk aunt at a hen’s night.
Now, let’s get back to stressing about tonight’s episode, shall we?