Game of Thrones: Nathalie Emmanuel on that ‘vulnerable’ nude scene
‘Whether you’ve done it many times, or none at all, it’s a big deal’
Game of Thrones Nathalie Emmanuel
This story contains spoilers about episode 2 of Game of Thrones‘ seventh season, “Stormborn”
Two Game of Thrones characters consummated their long-simmering romantic interest in the second episode of season 7, “Stormborn.” Dany’s savvy advisor Missandei (Nathalie Emmanuel) and the stoic commander of her Unsullied army Grey Worm (Jacob Anderson) broke their duty-focused restraint to share a single blissful night together. Grey Worm is being dispatched to seize the Lannister stronghold of Casterly Rock, a mission that could easily lead to his death.
“We’ve seen them show their interest in each other, we’ve seen them in a round about way express it for each other, but not really say it,” Emmanuel tells EW. “This point is the climax and they physically act upon it.”
Faced with the prospect of never seeing each other again, Grey Worm took the initiative, overcoming his reluctance to engage in physical intimacy given that he’s a eunuch.
“There’s something unique about it purely because of Grey Worm’s situation — his brutal history of being mutilated — there’s a real sense of trust here and that really plays out in this lovely scene where they physically act upon their love,” Emmanuel says. “For him to do that is a really big deal and Missandei knows that and doesn’t really care. She just loves him and that intimacy they’ve shared comes to a head. Missandei is always so official and straight and poised so to be vulnerable and see her human side of her, a little off balance, is kind of great and fun to play. She’s kept things very together to stay composed but this scene is the opposite of that. She’s quite clear about what she wants because she fears she’ll never have the chance to have that with him again.”