Nathalie Emmanuel found it "difficult" being constantly questioned about the lack of diversity of ‘Game of Thrones’.
The 30-year-old actress – who portrayed Missandei in the HBO fantasy drama series – was one of the few people of colour with a big role in the show and she admitted she and her co-star Jacob Anderson struggled with the fact it was always a subject raised with them.
She said: "The show was criticised for its lack of diversity. Jacob and I often had to answer for that, as the two prominent characters of colour in the show, which was really difficult."
Missandei’s death in season eight sparked a huge backlash and Nathalie can understand why people felt so upset.
She told The Guardian newspaper: "Obviously, Missandei’s demise sparked a big conversatio.
"The reaction to Missandei’s death was so big because she was the only one. I think a lot of the people who felt othered or disenfranchised had connected with her, or felt represented by her, especially women of colour. When she died – and in the way that she did – it was so painful for people because they were like, ‘Wait, no! That’s how they’re going to do the only woman of colour?’ "
But the actress never expected her character and her lover Grey Worm (Anderson) to have a happy ending.
She insisted: "That’s not ‘Game of Thrones’."
And Nathalie was very happy with the "journey" of her character throughout the show and found working on the programme a "joy".
She said: "I really loved Missandei’s journey. In the grand scheme of the show, Missandei and Grey Worm didn’t have a lot of time, but we had some lovely scenes. I also loved my relationship with Emilia Clarke as Daenerys – that female friendship and respect for each other. It was such a joy to do."
Nathalie Emmanuel faced difficult questions
