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It’s no secret that the ending ofGame of Throneswas universally criticized, leaving many fans, and even the cast, disappointed. Lena Headey, who portrayed Cersei, had different expectations for her character, envisioning a dramatic showdown with Arya. However, the showrunners, D.B. Weiss and David Benioff, didn’t take this route.
![Still from Game of Thrones Season 8 [Credit Home Box Office Inc.]](https://i2.wp.com/fwmedia.fandomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/03060955/Game-of-Thrones-Season-8-Credit-Home-Box-Office-Inc-1024x576.jpg)
Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones Season 8 [Credit: Home Box Office Inc.]While Headey wasn’t thrilled with how her character’s story concluded, she understood the immense pressure the showrunners were under. Here’s what she had to say about her character’s final moments.
Lena Headey Wanted a Cersei Lannister vs. Arya Stark Showdown to End It All, Just Like the Fans!
At the Austin Film Festival in 2023, whereGame of ThronesstarLena Headeywas promoting her directorial debutThe Trap,The Hollywood Reporterasked the actor the question that was floating on everybody’s minds, her views on the show’s ending, and her character arc.
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Headey admitted she had envisioned a dramatic showdown betweenMaisie Williams‘ Arya and Cersei. Though she remained diplomatic, her comments clearly revealed her disappointment with how the series wrapped up. She explained,
I’m think all of us did, to be honest, because you start trying to write the story yourself. And [Arya Stark actress Maisie Williams] and I would fantasize about a Cersei and Arya showdown; that she would come back as Jaime. That was our dream. But they made different choices.
She also revealed that despite all the differences she understood the position the showrunners D.B. Weiss and David Benioff, were at, as she said,
I think in hindsight, everybody understands that. You’re in it, and you’ve been so invested, there’s a moment of, “Why?” But I absolutely get it.
Not only did Cersei’s death feel anticlimactic, but the absence of any confrontation with Arya, who was a major antagonist throughout the series, was a letdown. Arya’s long-standing desire to face Cersei never came to be, making the buildup throughout the showabsolutely pointless.Given Cersei’s reign of terror over eight seasons, she deserved a more explosive end. A final clash with Arya would have provided a perfect ending to her character’s arc.
Besides that even if the fans were robbed of that epic clash, they anticipated that at least Jaime would be the one to bring Cersei’s reign to an end. Instead, it was the crumbling of the castle that took the complicated duo out, something that fans never saw coming.
What Did Lena Headey Think of Cersei Lannister’s Ending inGame of Thrones?
Regardless of what words people use, the disappointment over Cersei Lannister’s death cannot be described aptly, not because it happened, but due to how it happened. Lena Headeyherself was unimpressedwith the portrayal of her character’s demise. Speaking toThe Guardianabout her character’s end, she revealed her disappointment with how it was handled. She said,
I will say I wanted a better death. Obviously you dream of your death You could go in any way on that show. So I was kind of gutted. But I just think they couldn’t have pleased everyone. No matter what they did, I think there was going to be some big comedown from the climb.
It is undeniable that Gameof Thronesascended to unprecedented heights, captivating audiences with its intricate world-building, morally complex characters, and unpredictable plot twists. However, the series’ final season marked a stark departure from its previous wins.
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The meticulously crafted character arcs throughout the series were abruptly concluded and plot developments rushed to a rushed ending. What was once a saga renowned for its strategic depth and political intrigue devolved into a series of implausible events that undermined the credibility of the characters and the overall story. The rushed and unsatisfying conclusion left a significant portion of the fanbase feeling betrayed by the show’s immense potential.
Game of Thronesis streaming on Max.
Sampurna Banerjee
Articles Published :1804
Sampurna Banerjee is an Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, and she’s written over 1,700 articles! She covers everything from celebrity news to the latest superhero buzz, streaming shows, and fan theories. If it’s trending in pop culture, Sampurna’s probably already on it.When she’s not working, you’ll probably find her rewatching The Office (again), getting into debates about Marvel’s timeline, or diving deep into Christopher Nolan movies for the hundredth time. She’s not just writing about entertainment, she’s living it.
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arya starkcersei lannisterGame of ThronesLena HeadeyMaisie Williams
