Hodor Actor Kristian Nairn Has Landed His First Big Gig Since Game Of Thrones, Can Thank HBO

Kristian Nairn as Hodor in Game of Thrones.

Two years after Game of Thrones’ end, one actor is returning to his former home! Kristian Nairn, who portrayed Hodor on the popular HBO series, is joining five other actors on HBO Max’s new pirate comedy Our Flag Means Death.

The new series from HBO Max is loosely based on the true adventures of Stede Bonnet, an aristocrat who gave up his life of privilege to become a pirate. Thor: Ragnarok director and Academy Award winner Taika Waititi was previously announced to star as “Blackbeard,” history’s most feared and revered pirate. He is also set to direct the pilot episode. Meanwhile, Kristian Nairn has been cast as Wee John Feeney, and will be joined by Nathan Foad from Bloods, Samson Kayo of Truth Seekers, Penny Dreadful’s Rory Kinnear, Con O’Neill from The Batman and American Horror Story: 1984 star Vico Ortiz.

Taika Waititi will also executive produce the series, which is from series creator and showrunner David Jenkins. There is currently no word on when the series could premiere or when it will start production, but given the fact that Waititi is currently busy with Thor: Love & Thunder, filming likely won’t begin until afterwards.

Besides Game of Thrones, which was his very first acting gig and delivered a tragic ending for his character, Kristian Nairn has appeared in the films The Four Warriors, The Appearance and Robin Hood: The Rebellion, along with TV shows Ripper Street, The Sidemen Show and The Rookie. Nairn also DJs and performed at Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike concerts in Antwerp at the end of 2017, the BlizzCon 2016 anniversary party, and BlizzCon 2018 closing festivities.

Kristian Nairn’s return to HBO prestige is a big one, considering his Game of Thrones character was delivered a major death scene in Season 6 in 2016. Hodor’s death was, understandably, a heartbreaking one for multiple reasons. And even though he didn’t say much throughout his time on the fantasy series, it still hit fans like a ton of bricks knowing that Hodor sacrificed himself.

The Hodor actor is not the only Game of Thrones star getting ready for a new role. Daenerys Targaryen herself, Emilia Clarke, was cast in Marvel Studios and Disney+’s new series, Secret Invasion. Along with that, the actress also announced she’s working on her own superhero comic book series. To say that the Game of Thrones actors are definitely moving on from the HBO series is an understatement, but it’s so great to see them in other projects! Let’s just hope that Our Flag Means Death has a happier story for Kristian Nairn, considering it’s a comedy rather than a drama.

Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for more updates on this new series! In the meantime, check out our 2021 Summer TV schedule to find out what shows to look forward to this summer!

Megan Behnke
Freelance TV News Writer

Passionate writer. Obsessed with anything and everything entertainment, specifically movies and television. Can get easily attached to fictional characters.