The TV world is in a bit of a renaissance right now, although there are certain properties that stand out in regards to popularity. This includes HBO's Game of Thrones, which is gearing up for its eighth and final season on TV. Season 7 really stepped things up in regards to pacing and stakes, as new character interactions occurred, alongside long awaited reunions. One moment from last season that got a ton of negative press was the cameo of pop singer Ed Sheeran as a Lannister soldier. Fan outcry was immediate, with the singer having to leave Twitter due to all the hate. Now it turns out that Hodor himself wasn't a fan, either. Actor Kristian Nairn recently spoke about how cameos spoil the experience of Game of Thrones, saying:
I'm not a fan of the cameos in Game of Thrones. I don't like them. I think it's stupid. I don't mind going on the record on that. I just think it takes you right out of the world. Especially Ed Sheeran. I was like, 'Why is Ed Sheeran here?' I mean, Ed Sheeran's great. He's a great guy, great musician, but why is he in Game of Thrones?
While his character may have only spoken his own name, Kristian Nairn isn't afraid to voice his opinion about the adventures in Westeros. Hodor has been dead for a season and a half by this point, so Nairn is left watching Game of Thrones like the rest of us. And just like most of the fans, the inclusion of the "Shape of You" singer was a bit distracting for the him.
Kristian Nairn's comments to The Huffington Post seem to echo the concerns over Ed Sheeran's brief role in Game of Thrones. The singer popped up briefly during Arya's journey back to Winterfell, singing a Lannister song with a bunch of red cloaked soldiers. The cameo was reportedly a special treat for actress Maisie Williams, who is a major fan of Sheeran. While the sequence provided one of Arya's only lighthearted scenes in years, it was ultimately met with massive backlash. As a reminder, you can check out one of Ed Sheeran's brief Game of Thrones scenes below, complete with those million dollar vocals.
The backlash around Ed Sherean's Game of Thrones roll will likely dissuade the series from bringing on any big celebs in its final season. Fans are hoping that Jason Momoa might pop back up as Khal Drogo, perhaps in another vision sequence for Dany. It seems like just about anything could happen for Season 8, as the showrunners craft an ending that some fans have been waiting for for decades.
It's unclear when Game of Thrones will return to HBO, but CinemaBlend will have every update along the way. In the meantime, check out our summer premiere list to plan your next binge watch. Plus our Amazon premiere list and superhero premiere list to ensure you don't miss a single episode.
