Yara Greyjoy is about to have a much bigger role to play in the history of Westeros after she struck a deal with Daenerys Targaryen (played by Emilia Clarke) to aid her in war at the end of season six.
Fans are also desperate to know what will happen to the rightful Queen of the Iron Islands after Yara and her brother Theon (Alfie Allen) escaped from the clutches of their blood-thirsty uncle Euron (Pilou Asbaek), who proclaimed himself King.
But the actress was almost axed from the show after a seemingly-insignificant blunder caught her in the producers’ crossfires.
Speaking to the Sunday Times, Gemma revealed that she almost lost her part when she ecstatically announced her role back in 2012.
“The first lesson I learnt was when I first got the job. No-one told me to keep quiet about it,” she said.
“I just thought it was normal to pop it on my Spotlight entry, so I wrote on my CV, ‘This summer Gemma will be playing Yara Greyjoy in Game of Thrones‘. And the internet went nuts.
“One of the lovely, lovely producers on Thrones called me into his office and said, ‘This is very serious. We almost can’t employ you because of this’.”
But fortunately for fans she was kept on the show and proved her mettle as the hardened daughter of Lord Reaper of Pyke.
Up until that point Gemma was only known for her comedic roles and an accomplished stand-up career, and she was desperate to score a drama role.
“I watched all of season one and thought, ‘There’s no way I’m going to get this’,” she explained.
“I’d done a couple of comedies, I was doing a bit of stand-up – but a big HBO series? Not on the cards.
“I’d been desperate to be seen for drama, because I really wanted to do both… but it’s quite hard to be considered in both categories sometimes, until you can prove yourself.”
Teasing about where the new series might take her, she said hinted the fans will most likely find her sailing towards Westeros with Daenerys and her army.
“When we left off season six, it was clear that Daenerys and Yara were off on a mission. And we left me on a boat — so it would follow that you would find me on a boat,” she said.
“But I’m not ruling out being on land. How about that? Let’s not rule out any land!”
Following her success on Game of Thrones, Gemma landed another big drama role as “Britain’s most hated mum’” on BBC One’s The Moorside.
The drama was based on the high-profile disappearance of nine-year-old Shannon Matthews, and Gemma played her mother Karen.
After a multi-million pound search, the missing girl was found drugged and hidden in the base of a bed in a West Yorkshire flat.
Her mother was then ousted for being part of an elaborate plot to bag the reward money for finding her missing daughter.
Gemma’s portrayal of Karen Matthews was universally praised and her transformation into the character was so immersive, that fans were left stunned when they found out who it was.
One shocked Twitter user wrote: “OMG just realised that Karen Matthews is Yara Greyjoy. Astonishing transformation and performance by @WhelanGemma #TheMoorside.”
While another person who initially did not recognise her in the new role, called her a “true chameleon”.
Game of Thrones returns to HBO on July 16 and will be simulcast in the UK at 2am on Sky Atlantic. Catch up on season one to six on NOW TV.
Daily Express :: TV and Radio Feed
