Game Of Thrones: Finn Jones On Why Ser Loras Tyrell Joined Team Lannister

Grief can do funny things to a person. In the case of Ser Loras Tyrell in the “Game of Thrones” “Blackwater” episode, it took him to a very dark place – the side of Tywin Lannister.

British actor Finn Jones, who plays the Knight of the Flowers, knew it was a breathtaking moment when his character strode into the Throne Room in the show’s final seconds last Sunday, removing his helmet in front of a suicidal Cersei, just before Tywin strode in and revealed the Lannisters had won the battle.

Proving it really is a game of thrones, Finn explained to AccessHollywood.com the backstory that got Ser Loras to pick up a sword for Joffrey, the late King Renly’s former foe.

AccessHollywood.com: Did it feel like an epic moment when you filmed that scene?

Finn Jones: It felt totally epic. I remember… we were kind of [at] the bigger doors to the Iron Throne Room, I had a bunch of my soldiers behind me and I had this helmet on with this scarf over my face. And I came down, [and busted] through the doors. It felt totally epic –just brilliant.

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Access: The assumption then, for people who haven’t read George R.R. Martin’s books, based on that scene, is that the Tyrell’s are now in alliance with the Lannisters. What’s the behind the scenes drama – how does Ser Loras end up alongside Tywin?

Finn: All of his life he’s devoted… everything to Renly. He didn’t really have many friends. Renly was his main friend, his main lover, and he did everything for this guy and then the guy dies and his life just falls into utter chaos… He’s picking up the pieces, but he’s got no one really around him to help him out, and that’s where his family and Littlefinger manipulated him into joining the Lannisters. But, I don’t think he really knows what he’s doing. He’s kind of recklessly trying to seek some kind of revenge, but not really thinking about it wisely. [He’s] just doing what he’s told, really.

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Access: Sometimes people in mourning will go through the motions and do what people tell them to do.

Finn: That’s exactly what it is, and he’s torn… He wants to help his family out, because he’s very dutiful to them, and also, he wants revenge, he wants closure. At the same time, I think he knows what he’s doing is not right and he truly believes that Renly was the true king and their plan was just so perfect and now that’s thrown aside. And now, he’s either got to work with Stannis or Joffrey and both of them are just horrible, disgusting kings to work for and to serve. He’s really in a difficult position and I think the only person now that he truly wants to be dutiful to, is his sister [Margaery], and his family — even if the motives are questionable.

Access: From an actor’s point of view, what do you make of Loras and Margaery’s relationship?

Finn: Especially now that Renly’s gone, Margaery is someone that Ser Loras can really turn to, and I think it is a very real, loving relationship… As siblings go in the books, [they have] probably the most genuine relationship. There’s no real politics behind their love for each other as siblings… I think they really do respect each other and want the best for each other. I think they also realize that they’re in this world and if they want to survive and… succeed, they have to go into the politics of it.

Access: Margaery married Renly, but wasn’t trying to steal her brother’s man.

Finn: Yeah, there’s nothing ever like that. Ser Loras and Margaery both kind of understand the game they’re playing and even though maybe they don’t like it that much, they’re doing it because it’s what has to be done.

Access: Ser Loras and Renly became popular with the gay community, in part, because they aren’t stereotypical characters. Did you get more protective of the role because it became so important to people?

Finn: To be honest, I’ve never really questioned that. To me, Ser Loras being gay isn’t a big deal, and it shouldn’t be. It’s just, he’s fallen in love with this person and that’s the way it is. I think as soon as you start getting into playing a gay character, you do fall into — maybe even if it’s [just] subconsciously — the stereotypes of playing a gay character. I don’t think it should be an issue whether you’re playing a gay character, a straight character, whatever, you’re just playing the truth of one character’s love for another. I think that’s what me and [Gethin Anthony] both just tried to do. We never really indulged in the fact that we were playing gay characters. We just really tried to play the truth of both of the characters’ love for each other…

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Access: You were in the British primetime soap ‘Hollyoaks.’ Do you get more ‘Hollyoaks’ people coming up to you or ‘GOT’ fans?

Finn: There’s a few ‘…Thrones’ people… I was in the pub the other day and a bunch of guys just kind of leaned over and said, ‘Oh, you’re in ‘Game of Thrones’?’ and we ended up chatting for a good hour about the show. It’s really nice for people to have a real, true enthusiasm for it, because my enthusiasm for the show is the same as a fan’s enthusiasm for the show… It’s a genuine passion for this thing that we’re making and it’s a really wholesome and fun thing to be able to share with people.

Access: Do you think when you talk to people about what you do in the show that it helps you figure out your character more?

Finn: It’s very interesting, I’ve had conversations with people about the character and they say things that I’ve never even thought about before and I kind of go, ‘Oh! Yeah! That makes total sense.’ So I think it’s very important to see how the fans interpret your character, as well as how you interpret it, so you can bring lots of different elements into it… That’s why I like the fan forums. When I first got the show, I remember researching the character, as well as reading the books and going on the Wikipedia pages and all that. It was very interesting see what the fans of the show had to say about the character, and what they interpreted him to be like, because that also gave me a much wider insight into how I could play him.

Access: Finally, you DJ?

Finn: Yeah… it’s more just a kind of hobby… but it’s a lot of fun. Music’s a massive, massive passion of mine and I love hearing a song and just going, ‘Everyone needs to hear this!’ and playing it for people and seeing everyone also enjoy that song. I totally buzz off that kind of stuff.

The Season 2 finale of “Game of Thrones” airs Sunday at 9 PM on HBO.

Jolie Lash

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