Eugene Simon: ‘My Game Of Thrones character is so intense... I’d like to try a comedy next’

Next step: Eugene Simon is keen to play a lighter character for his next role
The Weekender

Sign up to our free weekly newsletter for exclusive competitions, offers and theatre ticket deals

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Actor Eugene Simon plays an “intense, rather aggressive” religious extremist in Game Of Thrones — so he is keen to try something lighter in his next role.

The London star said he would love to try his hand at comedy or be cast in a West End show when his time on the hit HBO programme comes to an end.

But the actor, 23, hinted that his character has a long way to go in the series, which is notorious for killing off its characters.

Simon, who started acting when he was eight, was cast as Lancel around his 18th birthday.

The character started out as a squire at court, but later joined a religious sect. He said: “He [Lancel] has become a very different character over the seasons.

"He started as a cocky young boy and is now more of an insecure big-head. He is an intense, rather aggressive character but it’s been great to play a transforming character.

“I am interested in complex characters who are difficult and have numerous sides. But I would love to do a comedy role — something maybe Monty Python-esque.

"Or maybe a psycho — some sort of Bane [Tom Hardy’s character in Batman: The Dark Knight Rises] character. I am a strange creature. I want to challenge myself and keep people guessing with the roles I take.

"I am obsessed with the idea of transformation. I have been very lucky so far to play very different roles — and I would love for that to continue.

“I am very keen to take on a West End show soon as I haven’t done much theatre and that would be amazing. It is quite liberating to be on stage night after night.”

Game of Thrones: Season 6

1/20

But he may have to keep his plans on hold for now. “I have some big scenes coming up,” he said. “He [Lancel] will be around for a while. I believe I will be in Game Of Thrones for a while.”

Simon was one of several young actors cast at the start of the series — including Maisie Williams, and Sophie Turner — and he has made friends for life on set.

“For some of the young actors, this was their first job,” he said. “It’s been great to grow as actors together.”

He also praised co-star Jonathan Pryce. “I have learnt so much from watching him,” he said. “You can see him acting and editing his performance at the same time, which is quite extraordinary.”

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in