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Aimee Richardson Recalls Lena Headey and Peter Dinklage Joking on Early ‘Game of Thrones’ Set

Aimee Richardson Recalls Lena Headey and Peter Dinklage Joking on Early Game of Thrones Set

During Con of Thrones in Dallas this past weekend, I was able to sit down with Aimee Richardson who portrayed Myrcella Baratheon in the first two seasons of Game of Thrones. At the age of 11, Richardson began the arduous audition process for the role of Myrcella. Richardson joked that she “looked like Lena [Headey]” and won the part. Now 20, Richardson recently appeared in a music video from Marci Phonix entitled ‘Liberties‘ and is a fierce advocate for women’s rights. She spoke at length about the vote that happened in Ireland this past Friday, which repealed a referendum on abortion, and was a huge step forward for women’s rights in Ireland.

During her Game of Thrones journey, Richardson shared the screen with Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister), who she said she learned a lot from. Watching Heady work and seeing the intricacies of her acting were a great lesson for a young Richardson. She recalls a scene in the first season when they are having breakfast and Heady was giving an “evil” performance. The scene didn’t call for that, but Richardson says that just the way she would “raise an eyebrow” or the subtle “twinge of her mouth” just gave off a deliciously evil vibe. Richardson laughs, “So I would sit there and watch [Lena] and wonder ‘How do you do that with your face?'”

There were times when Richardson and Headey would sit in the green room and talk. Headey offered advice to the young actor, telling her that it was a hard business and more often than not, she would not have a job. Richardson is incredibly thankful for the time she was able to spend with her on-screen mother.

Aimee Richardson Recalls Lena Headey and Peter Dinklage Joking on Early 'Game of Thrones' Set
Game of Thrones/HBO

Richardson enjoyed being on set with her costars, who made her feel relaxed, even though she was incredibly nervous to deliver her first line of the show. Between takes of the breakfast scene, Headey and Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister) were cutting up and making jokes. She describes being able to work with Headey and Dinklage and so many others on the set as “crazy” and “mind-blowing.” At the time, none of them really realized what Game of Thrones would go on to become.

The role of Myrcella was recast for Season Five after the character was absent from Seasons Three and Four. Because of this, Richardson didn’t really keep up with the show, saying it would be a bit awkward to watch it. When she was on the show, her parents would tune in when the episode aired, then watch with her the next day. Richardson recalls that “…they would yell ‘Eyes!’ and I’d have to cover my eyes whenever anything mature was about to happen.” Richardson texted a warning about the show’s content to her friends, but unfortunately forgot to fill a few in. She received angry texts of “Why didn’t you tell me?!” following the pilot.

Despite not keeping up with the show, Richardson has her own opinion on who should sit the Iron Throne. Richardson believes that Tyrion is most suited to rule the Seven Kingdoms, saying that “[Tyrion] has a good balance between his head and his heart.” Richardson is a huge fan of Daenarys, but thinks she is the obvious choice to take the throne in the final season. She also believes that, at times, Daenarys is too influenced by her head or her heart. Unlike Tyrion, she doesn’t have a balance of both of when it comes to making a decision.

Richardson is incredibly thankful for her experience on the show. Whenever they would wrap filming for the day, Richardson would ask “Are you sure? Maybe just one more take? What about this angle?” It was an absolute thrill to be on set and she never wanted it to end.

Richardson is a talented, delightful young woman and I expect that we’ll see more of her in the future.

Game of Thrones returns for its final season in 2019.