The exterior of the Three-Eyed Raven’s cave is built in a quarry near Ballymena, Northern Ireland: a near-perfect bowl-shaped hollow that is now filled with sets, tents and cabins. The interior of the cave and its various tunnels have been built at the Banbridge studio, and it is there that we will spend most of our time. The walls are covered in moss and the floor is littered with real animal bones. On our first day, we are also joined by 85-year-old actor Max von Sydow, who plays the Three-Eyed Raven, one of the old-guard actors I love to watch so much. Physically, Max seems frailer than ever. Margaret John I’d been there and was worried about him sitting for hours in the cold. But, like Margaret, he can get into character like an old pro.
Since I came back to the series, this is the first scene where Hodor has to interact. Meera will talk to him about the food he’s been dreaming about when they get home. The mention of home and sausages lights up Hodor’s face.
It’s supposed to be a nice, light-hearted time before all hell breaks loose and the undead attack us, but I can’t relax. In fact, I feel suffocated by the enormity of everything that’s expected of me. Oh my God, Kristian! You have to do your best.I tell myself, but I’m agitated, so much so that Jack can tell I’m struggling.
“Are you okay?” he asks me after a few takes that I barely managed to get through. “Are you having any difficulties?”
“Yeah, it’s awful.” The words come out in a rush. Hodor’s subtle tics used to come easily, but now I’m having a hard time expressing them. I explain to Jack the crazy journey I’ve been on for the past year, and the personal journey I’ve been on. I find it very difficult to inhabit anyone other than myself again. Then I stop. Did I just say all that… to a director I don’t know? I think I would have stayed silent years ago, like when my back was broken in the Great Hall. I stop talking and look Jack in the eyes intently. Will you understand? Will you help me figure this out? Or will you ignore me and move on?
—It’s okay, take it easy —he smiles.
“I’ll be fine, but maybe everyone needs to be patient,” I say quickly. Jack squeezes my shoulder.
“Relax, everything will flow again,” he assures me.
Jack is right, as was John Ruskin years ago. And after a while, I begin to remember: Don’t think too much, Hodor; don’t think too much about your performance. As the morning progresses, Hodor reappears as an old friend.
(My stunt double) Brian is also worth his weight in gold. As soon as the magic shield keeping us safe in the cave wears off and the wights and White Walkers come for Bran, we have to make a run for it. This means take after take of me pulling Isaac on the sled, which is attached by skids to the tunnel floor. Luckily, Brian will be taking the reins for many of these takes – the takes where my face is not visible. My back has not yet fully recovered, and this also gives me a chance to focus on what is to come. Plus, Isaac has put on even more weight in the years since then.