HBO’s Game of Thrones series has been a media juggernaut since its inception in 2011. Its final season, however, left many fans disenchanted and confused, catalyzing an ongoing debate on how the flourishing series suffered such a divisive ending. The most recent contributor to this endless conversation is Lena Headey, our beloved Cersei Lannister, who has opened up regarding her ideal farewell to her character.
While speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Headey revealed that she, like many viewers, had her thoughts regarding a possible dream ending for her character. "You start trying to write the story yourself,” she said, indicating that the finale wasn't quite in line with the send-off she dreamed for fierce Cersei. "And [Arya Stark actress Maisie Williams] and I would fantasize about a Cersei and Arya showdown; that she would come back as Jaime. That was our dream. But they made different choices," she added. It’s clear that Lena wanted a powerful, dramatic end to her character’s journey, matching Cersei's strength and zest for power.
In the actual show, Cersei met her bitter end in the second-to-last episode when Daenerys Targaryen alarmingly attacked King’s Landing. Cersei was reunited with Jaime Lannister, her lover, and brother, and they were both pathetically crushed under the debris of the crumbling Red Keep. It was a demise that many fans considered unsatisfactory for a character as calculating and defiant as Cersei Lannister, and they dearly wanted to see her face Arya one last time. If Arya was indeed in disguise as Jaime, it would have offered the audience an unexpected twist and an undeniably thrilling finale to these layered characters.
Despite expressing her vision, Headey was quick to acknowledge the phenomenal pressure that showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss must have faced to conclude the epic fantasy series. "I think in hindsight, everybody understands that," she stated, showing her appreciation of the mammoth responsibility that fell on the creators' shoulders. "You’re in it, and you’ve been so invested, there’s a moment of 'Why?' But I absolutely get it."
Without a doubt, Game of Thrones has still retained its status as one of the greatest TV shows of all times, even amidst the heated controversy over its concluding season. Westeros, with its rich historical and cultural backdrop, continues to offer a vast arena for storytellers to expand upon with new narratives. For instance, House of the Dragon, the prequel to the legendary show, is already generating a massive buzz among fans, who are excitedly looking forward to exploring the world of the Seven Kingdoms once again.
When it comes to Headey's idea for Cersei and Arya's face-off, it will remain an enchanting speculation of "what could have been". Despite the series' disappointing end, it's great to imagine how differently the story of the ruthless Queen of the Seven Kingdoms might have concluded. One can only surmise that such an ending would have provided a proper conclusion to Cersei’s storied arc and satisfied Game of Thrones diehard fans.
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