Game of Thrones stars recall "traumatic wineboarding scene" (2024)

Lena Headey and Hannah Waddingham have looked back on one of the most dramatic moments of their Game of Thrones careers.

In a chat to celebrate Waddingham's Emmy nomination for her role on Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso, the two GoT alumnae reflected on the wineboarding scene in season six of the HBO fantasy show.

In episode 10, Headey's character Cersei Lannister tortures Septa Unella (Waddingham) by pouring a jug of wine onto her. As the latter pointed out, that traumatic scene really happened, no CGI involved.

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"People are always quite shocked that that actually did happen in reality and there was nothing CGI'd," Waddingham said to Entertainment Weekly.

"One thing I've said a lot is that both of us were quite uncomfortable about it, but as with all these things, you know that they're not actually going to kill you so you just get on with it and do it. It made wicked telly and I just wondered what your take on all that was, because I think you found it quite difficult too," the actress asked her co-star.

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Headey confirmed the experience was "horrendous" for her too.

"Someone else asked me about that the other day and I was like, you know, as an actor we all have boundaries or no boundaries. And no boundaries are obviously very thrilling when you can go to a place... but something like that when you're tied down [during filming for 10 hours], it made me feel horrendous doing that scene with you," Headey said.

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However, both actresses agreed that filming that and other intense scenes (remember Cersei's walk of shame?) brought them close together.

"I have to say one thing that that traumatic experience – and you walking through the streets practically with your nunny out – gave us was that you and I absolutely [became incredibly close]," Waddingham said.

"And I was really nervous joining you [on Game of Thrones] because you were like queen lady of the ladies and I was some nobhead who had popped a baby out nine weeks previously."

"Well, and then you met me and you realised [that I was an] equal nobhead!" Headey replied.

Game of Thrones seasons 1-8 are available on DVD and Blu-ray. Spin-off House of the Dragon is now filming.

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