It really speaks to the power of Game Of Thrones as a story when two characters engaged in full-on incest can still win fans over season after season. Even though he and co-star Lena Headey aren't really related, Jaime Lannister actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau still feels really weird about thinking of their scenes together as incestuous ones. The actor explains why in the quote below:
I've never really gone too deep into the whole sister-brother thing because I can't use that information. I have to look at her as the woman he loves and desires. Lena's a very good actress, and that's kind of what carries the whole thing. I have two older sisters. I do not want to go there. It's just too weird.
It appears the taboo nature of the topic troubles Nikolaj Coster-Waldau more than anything. Plenty of actors and actresses fake romantic relationships with others despite having other romantic relationships in real life, but pretending someone is one's wife and making love to them is a whole other ballgame than pretending someone is one's sister and making love to them, so point taken from Mr. Coster-Waldau. The positive takeaway here is that the Game Of Thrones star didn't giggle skeezily while implying he's 100% cool with the subtext of those bumped uglies.
Luckily for Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Cersei and Jaime haven't been doing the nasty in quite a while. The last time the two visibly went there was in the Season 4 episode "Breaker Of Chains," and they've been relatively distant since. (Pun not intended.) With all their kids dead, this is about the least triggering time for Game Of Thrones fans who gagged upon seeing the brother-sister duo going at it, so let's hope Cersei's most recent play at Queen doesn't relight that fire the two once shared.
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau credits a lot of the acting in the incest scenes to Lena Headey, who tells Time she analyzes every part of her character. Headey doesn't see Cersei's love of Jaime as romantic, but rather one of envy and respect. Interestingly enough, Headey believes Cersei began her intimate relationship with Jaime because she wants to be him, and she envies that she cannot be a man with the same privileges he has. Other people would perhaps cope with that feeling in a sli-i-i-ightly different way, but then again, few people are like Cersei Lannister.
Those looking to brush up on their trivia might enjoy our quiz that requires fans to name the character based off of the way they died. Those looking for more predictions of winners of the great war should visit our arguments for Jon, Cersei, and Daenerys taking the crown at the end of it all. There's also been a juicy bit of info regarding a popular show theory that fans of speculation should definitely check out.
There are only a couple more weeks of waiting left, as Game Of Thrones is set to premiere on Sunday, July 16th, at 9 p.m. ET on HBO. Anybody looking for more great summer programming beyond Game Of Thrones should visit our summer premiere guide.
