“Nothing shocks me”: How Esmé Bianco (Ros) helped her Game of Thrones co-star Kristian Nairn (Hodor) with a nude scene

Game of Thrones emerged as one of the largest and most debated television series of the last decade. Renowned not only for its narrative and stunning CGI, the fantasy series also drew attention for its explicit nudity. The portrayal of sex scenes surprised many viewers, leading to discussions about the show’s depiction of sexuality. And a lot of actors on the set weren’t comfortable with that, including Kristian Nairn.

Kristian Nairn was extremely nervous before his nude scene in Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones’ nude scenes weren’t everyone’s cup of tea. Nairn, who played Hodor, was faced with a similar dilemma when he signed up for his first nude scene ever for the show. He recalled in his book, Beyond the Throne (via Vanity Fair),

“I know this is going to hurt, but it’s my job, he’s saying without saying anything. I have agreed to this, after all. David and Dan did run through this with me at the Fitzwilliam Hotel. Why the hell did I say yes? I think. But the nude scene has been signed and sealed: the scene where Hodor emerges from bathing pools completely naked for ten, maybe fifteen, seconds. I will be undressed for less time than it would take me to text a friend, yet it has played on my mind for weeks.” 

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Esmé Bianco helped Kristian Nairn to feel at ease

Nairn was feeling really uncomfortable with the whole ordeal, up until the point he reached the makeup and props department. He then recalled how Bianco, who had gone through the experience a number of times, made him feel a lot better.

“Suddenly, a shout interrupts my thoughts. “Go on! Don’t worry, I’ve seen it all before!”

The roar is Esmé’s, and when I turn to her, she is grinning from ear to ear. She’s a burlesque dancer outside of Game of Thrones, she explains, and she’s already had to give a full-on flash of her bits to Theon Greyjoy, aka Alfie Allen, in episode 6.

“Nothing shocks me. Literally nothing,” she beams. Immediately, I can feel my tension soften.”

Read Next: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms might have intimate scenes in Season 1

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