The exterior of the cave of the Three-Eyed Raven is constructed in a quarry near Ballymena, Northern Irelandâan almost perfect bowl-shaped hollow now filled with scenery, tents, and cabins. The caveâs interior and its various tunnels have been constructed at the studio in Banbridge, and itâs there where weâll spend the majority of our time. The walls have been covered in moss and the floor strewn with real animal bones. On our first day, weâre also joined by the 85-year-old actor Max von Sydow who plays the Three-Eyed Ravenâone of the old guard of actors I love to watch so much. Physically, Max seems more frail than even Margaret John had been, and I worry about him sat for hours in the cold. But just like Margaret did, he can snap into character like an old pro.
Since Iâve returned to the series, this is the first scene where Hodor has to interact. Meera will talk with him about the food sheâs been dreaming of when they reach home. The mention of home and sausages lights up Hodorâs face.
Itâs supposed to be a lovely, lighthearted moment before all hell breaks loose and the undead descend on us, but I just canât relax. In fact, I feel suffocated by the enormity of everything thatâs expected of me. Jesus fucking Christ, Kristian. You need to be on your A game, I tell myself, but Iâm agitated, so much so that Jack notices Iâm struggling.
âAre you OK?â he asks after a few takes, which Iâve barely managed to get through. âAre you having difficulty?â
âYes, itâs awful,â the words tumble from me. Hodorâs subtle tics used to come easily to me, but now Iâm tying myself in knots trying to express them. I explain to Jack the mad journey Iâve been on for the past year, and the personal journey Iâve been on, too. Iâm finding stepping back into inhabiting someone other than myself very hard. Then I stop. Did I just say all of that ⦠to a director I donât know? I think. Years ago, I would have kept silent, like when my back was breaking in the Great Hall. I stop talking and watch Jackâs eyes carefully. Is he going to understand? Help me work this out? Or dismiss me and move on?
âOK, just take it easy,â he smiles.
âIâll be fine, but everyone might need to be a bit patient,â I say quickly. Jack gives me a shoulder squeeze.
âJust relax. It will all come flooding back,â he reassures me.
Jack is right, just like John Ruskin had been years ago. And after a while, I do start to remember: Do not overthink Hodor; do not overthink your performance. As the morning wears on, Hodor reappears like an old friend.
[My stunt double] Brian is also worth his weight in gold. As soon as the magical shield keeping us safe in the cave vanishes and the wights and White Walkers come for Bran, we need to hotfoot it out. This means take after take of me pulling Isaac on the sled, which is attached on runners to the tunnel floor. Thankfully, Brian will take the reins on many of these shotsâthe shots where my face is not in view. My back hasnât yet completely recovered, and this also gives me the chance to concentrate on whatâs ahead. Besides, Isaac has gotten even heavier in the intervening years.
