Peter Dinklage’s nuanced portrayal of Tyrion Lannister in Game of Thrones helped elevate the charm of the fan-favorite character from George R. R. Martin’s fantasy novels amongst TV-viewing audiences. Unsurprisingly, the role propelled him to unfathomable international stardom. The 54-year-old’s praise-worthy stint generated multiple accolades, including four Emmys and a Golden Globe.
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But before accepting the beloved role and becoming the show’s most successful cast member, Dinklage made one request that made it clear he didn’t want to be portrayed in a clichéd way. He had previously signed on for The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, where his on-screen character, a dwarf named Trumpkin, donned a beard and pointed shoes.
The celebrity acknowledged in an interview how uncomfortable the experience had been for him. And it was something he didn’t look forward to replicating in Game of Thrones.
Peter Dinklage’s One Request To The Game Of Thrones Showrunners
Dinklage’s stint as the black sheep of the Lannister family reaped enormous praise. The layered, intricate portrayal didn’t reduce the character to stereotypical tropes—an ignorant treatment often dealt to fictional iterations of dwarves. Having experienced something similar, the actor was initially wary of signing up for the Game of Thrones role. The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes alum had his guard up and was intent on setting a few conditions before moving forward.
For showrunners, David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, Peter Dinklage had been the first choice for Tyrion from the get-go. Following is what they shared about the star that made him a perfect fit for the wry and witty character (via The New York Times):
“[Dinklage’s] core of humanity, covered by a shell of sardonic dry wit, is pretty well in keeping with the character.”
However, when the first meeting with the actor was held, Peter Dinklage emphasized a simple request to be paid heed to—no long, white beard or pointy shoes. He didn’t want Tyrion to be visually represented in a manner that spelled cliché. This demand came from a place of prior experience.
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For 2008’s The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, Dinklage, as the skeptical Red Dwarf Trumpkin, had to dress in the mentioned get-up he was wary of repeating. Of his experience in the Disney/Walden Media endeavor, the actor said in the New York Times interview:
“It was a lovely experience. But it was pretty uncomfortable.”
Therefore, upon meeting the Game of Thrones showrunners and before signing up for a premise that dabbles in the fantasy genre (where such tropes are much more prevalent), Peter Dinklage knew he had to get his request across. Soon, he would realize that Tyrion Lannister’s character is a pleasant subversion of such age-long media stereotypes.
How Tyrion Lannister Dispels These Stereotypes
The reason for Dinklage’s cautiousness makes ample sense. In the same interview, the actor affirmed how he had to put his guard up before engaging in the meeting with showrunners David Benioff and D. B. Weiss. Before the series’ overarching premise or his character could be explained to him, the Cyrano star put forward his request.
He clarified that little people in the fantasy genre dress a certain way, which plays into the stereotypes attached to such fictional portrayals. Dinklage also expressed his disappointment at a specific joke utilized in one of the most acclaimed fantasy franchises. He stated:
“Dwarves in these genres always have this look. My guard was up. Not even my guard, my metal fence, my barbed wire was up. Even ‘Lord of the Rings’ had dwarf-tossing jokes in it. It’s like, Really?”
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This is precisely why the actor deemed it crucial to make his request heard. He wasn’t willing to repeat the experiences that had become typical of such Hollywood endeavors. The 54-year-old could rest assured when he learned from the creators that Tyrion was not supposed to represent that overused depiction.
Instead, the actor’s time on Game of Thrones would allow him to explore a layered and intricate role. The objective of Peter Dinklage’s performance would transcend above clichéd comedic relief. Underscoring the true essence of Tyrion Lannister, the Emmy-winning talent said:
“He’s somebody who turns that on its head. No beard, no pointy shoes, a romantic, real human being.”
This characteristic helped the witty, charismatic, and flawed Tyrion become beloved amongst fans long before Peter Dinklage’s portrayal was shown on-screen. With the actor’s added depth, the role became one of his defining in a decorated filmography and helped him connect with a broad demographic. And this time, without having to don a beard or pointy shoes.
Game of Thrones is available for streaming on Max.
