Interview
‘Pride and Prejudice’ star Jennifer Ehle was originally up for the role of Catelyn Stark on Game of Thrones
When Game of Thrones first started filming, it was a jumbling mess. The original pilot was so bad, it had to be refilmed. Back then, no one would have guessed it would turn out to be the Emmy-winning juggernaut we all know today. The record viewership, budget, and the fame that followed later turned the show into a pop culture icon. The casting of the show went through a number of changes, and a number of actors who had a chance to be on the highly acclaimed series but refused now regret not going through with it. Pride and Prejudice fame Jennifer Ehle is up on that list, but according to her she doesn’t regret missing out on the Game of Thrones role she was offered.
Talking to the Daily Beast, Ehle revealed she was originally up for the role of Lady Catelyn Stark, and had even filmed the pilot. She said:
“Well, it was entirely personal. My daughter was seven months old when we did the pilot. It was too soon for me to be working, emotionally and bonding-wise, but I needed to do it and I was also passionate about the books. I loved the idea of telling that story. I finished the first book when I was in the hospital getting ready to have my daughter. My husband actually went out and got the second book for me. I handed the first book to the midwife and started the second one. When I went back for my six-week checkup with the midwife, she had started the second book.”
“I love Game of Thrones, but it was too soon, and I did The King’s Speech immediately after. Then did a play immediately after that. I found out that the series was then picked up at the end of working through six months when I really just wanted to hold my baby, even though I was aware of the incredible privilege of having done the three pieces of work that I got to do in a row. I think everything worked out beautifully, because clearly, the show is what it was meant to be.”
Do you think Jennifer Ehle would have suited in the role of Catelyn Stark? Talk to us in the comments below!