Based on George R. R. Martin’s acclaimed book series, Game of Thrones has been celebrated as one of the best TV series of its generation. Despite its controversial conclusion, the series delivered countless riveting and unpredictable plot twists that kept viewers captivated.
And the most shocking of all is one episode of Season 3, following the events of The Red Wedding, which marked a pivotal point for several characters. Filmmaker David Nutter, who directed the episode, later revealed his approach to inspiring the actors, which contributed to one of the series’ most unforgettable episodes.
How David Nutter’s Direction Made The Red Wedding the Series’ Most Shocking Episode
Game of Thrones Season 3 ends on a tragic and shocking note, marking the end of several prominent characters’ journeys and leaving fans deeply anxious about the fates of others.
David Nutter, known for delivering some of the best pilot episodes for TV, discussed his approach to the pivotal episode, The Rains of Castamere, and how he motivated Richard Madden to deliver a heart-wrenching performance as Robb Stark.
He told The Hollywood Reporter,
This was the last episode some of those actors were going to be in the series. There was that moment where Oona Chaplin’s character [Talisa Stark] gets stabbed and Robb [Richard Madden] crawls over to her and he’s crying and dying. He needed a bit more motivation.
To elicit an authentic and powerful performance out of him, the filmmaker explained to Madden how much Robb loved Talisa and the devastation of losing her and their unborn child. His approach proved to be helpful, so much so that the actor’s performance moved the crew to tears.
“He got so into it, everyone started crying,” Nutter said before adding, “The hair and makeup ladies behind me were crying.” Nutter further emphasized that such dedication and emotional investment from the cast and crew was why the audience was so profoundly affected by the episode as well.
Richard Madden Reflected on The Red Wedding 10 Years Later
Episode 9 of Game of Thrones Season 3, The Rains of Castamere, is renowned not only as one of the series’ most shocking moments but also as one of the most tragic and unforgettable episodes on television. And the episode several other characters’ journeys to an end.
10 years after taking his leave from the series, the Eternals star has reflected on his time on the show as Robb Stark. “I still have fond memories of that whole experience,” he said during an interview with Entertainment Tonight and expressed his gratitude for being part of such an expansive narrative.
Recalling his departure from the show, Madden mentioned the emotional toll it took on him, as he felt he was losing the family he had formed over five years of working together. “I remember a lot of crying,” he told Variety during an interview.
“I was going to be apart from my family that I had lived with for five years,” he said before adding, “It was traumatic not only to shoot but traumatic because I was losing my family.” Madden had been part of the series since the beginning, which ended during the tragic Game of Thrones episode.
Game of Thrones is available to stream on Max.
