Gwendoline Christie, who played Ser Brienne of Tarth on Game of Thrones, penned an emotional goodbye on Instagram to the show that launched her career.
Gwendoline Christie took to Instagram this week to say goodbye to Game of Thrones. Christie began on the show in the second season, and her character quickly became a fan favorite. The show launched her career, including landing her a role in the latest Star Wars trilogy.
Christie’s goodbye begins with a thank you — presumably both to the creators of the show and the fans who supported her. Christie goes on to single out assistant director Ciaran Colton, the first person she met in Game of Thrones.
She explains that playing Ser Brienne of Tarth “redefined the way I look at the world, women, and particularly myself. I have never felt so exposed by a character, but happy knowing that those feelings of discomfort were about shaking off convention and embracing strength and authenticity.”
In those words, I imagine, Christie echoes the very reasons that so many people were rooting for Ser Brienne from the beginning. You can read Christie’s full post below.
Brienne was one of the few truly inspirational characters in Game of Thrones. She always protected those she was sworn to, whether it was Lady Catelyn or Sansa or Arya. In the end, she became the first woman to be knighted and seemed finally to earn the respect of the people around her.
Fans became particularly fond of her relationship with Jamie Lannister, who ultimately abandoned her to return to Queen Cersei ahead of Daenerys’s attack on King’s Landing. Brienne’s final moments show her writing in the history books, ensuring that Jamie’s bravery in the end of his life is remembered. She ends his entry by saying that he died protecting his Queen.
In a show that struggled at times with diversity and writing female characters, Ser Brienne of Tarth always felt special.
What were some of your favorite Brienne moments from Game of Thrones? Tell us below in the comments!