Exclusive interview with Iwan Rheon

September 27, 2013 | Iwan Rheon, who is best known for his portrayal of Simon Bellamy in "Misfits", has joined the cast of HBO's acclaimed fantasy drama "Game of Thrones" in season 3 as Roose Bolton's sadistic bastard Ramsay Snow. In our interview he talks about the torture scenes with Alfie Allen, the development of his "Misfits" character Simon and his music.

Foto: Iwan Rheon
Iwan Rheon
Note: © myFanbase 2013 - The interview is exclusive to myFanbase and may not be published on other websites or the like. You may share the first two questions if you link back to this site. Translations other than English and German may be posted with full credit including the writer's name and link to this site.

You started your acting career on stage with theatre productions and musicals. Acting in front of a camera is very different to acting on stage, right? What tempts you most about both branches?

I really enjoy the rehearsal process in theatre. You get time to really find your character. Film is fun because you're always doing something new. It keeps everything fresh.

Your character on "Game of Thrones", Ramsay, has some pretty intense scenes with Alfie Allen's Theon Greyjoy this season. Some of it was really hard to watch. How do you approach a season-long storyline like that?

Filming this show can be quite spread out. Last season was very contained so it was really intense. Days in that torture chamber. Alfie is a very committed actor. He always gives 100%. I love working with actors like him because you can really go for it together. This is the only way to get the best results.

Foto: Iwan Rheon, Game of Thrones - Copyright: 2013 Home Box Office, Inc. All rights reserved.
Iwan Rheon, Game of Thrones
© 2013 Home Box Office, Inc. All rights reserved.

Roose Bolton says about Ramsay torturing Theon that his son has his own way to handle things. Why do you think Ramsay became this sadistic and cruel person?

There is a number of reasons. In the books Roose wonders if Ramsey's former Reek turned him that way. He was conceived under very dark circumstances. Let's face it....Roose is no saint....Ramsey was never gonna be the next Robb Stark!!

What position would you choose in this game of thrones? Everyone was rooting for the Starks but who seems to be the best bet right now? Dany? The Lannisters?

It's a tough one. The great thing about the show is that everyone has their flaws. Dany seems to be doing the most good at the moment. I'm rooting for the Boltons!!

How much fun is it to play the bad guy everyone despises?

I really enjoy playing Ramsey because he's having fun. He really enjoys doing what he's doing and unlike Joffrey he is more than happy to do his own dirty work.

In season 2 of "Misfits" you had the opportunity to play two different versions of Simon. How big of a challenge was that?

That was a wonderful challenge. I was really lucky that the writer and creative team thought that I was capable of pulling it off. We filmed most of the "future" Simon all together which helped. I got a call from the producer about a month before we started shooting saying "can you go down the gym and buff up"....not very much warning. I just had to do shitloads of press ups.

Foto: Antonia Thomas, Robert Sheehan, Iwan Rheon, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett & Lauren Socha, Misfits - Copyright: polyband
Antonia Thomas, Robert Sheehan, Iwan Rheon, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett & Lauren Socha, Misfits
© polyband

Simons Storyline ended with an eternal circle of him rescuing Alisha. Were you happy with this solution and his character development?

If I'm honest I felt that the Simon was short changed in the third series. It was all a bit rushed. From the beginning of the second series I really enjoyed starting to build Simon's confidence in order to make the transition into his future self. They decided to go a different way with the series which is fair enough. I don't feel it was done as well as it could have been, but it's just one story line and I'm an actor!!

Ramsay and Simon are both very intense and creepy characters. How do you prepare for roles like that?

I eat lots of ginger.

You released your third music EP "Bang! Bang!" this summer. What comes first when you write your songs?

The music and melody first. Then the lyrics.

Is there a certain musician or actor who influenced you as an artist?

There are so many. I don't no about influenced but I admire so many. Richard Burton, Michael Sheen and Mathew Rhys. Thom Yorke, Bob Dylan to name a few.

With whom would you like to go on tour?

Bob Marley....

Since myFanbase is an online magazine about television shows, what are your favorite shows?

I really enjoyed a French show called "The Returned". "Breaking Bad" is great. I've also been watching the original Tinker Tailor Solider Spy and Smiley's people with Alec Guinness....so good.

Thank you, Iwan, we wish you all the best for your future projects!

Cheers.

Lena Stadelmann & Nicole Oebel - myFanbase

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