Some people might assume that the "Game of Thrones" cast has to be updated with the works of George R.R. Martin, the author of the series. But Iain Glen, the actor who plays the loyal Jorah Mormont in the series revealed that they have actually been discouraged by showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss to read any of Martin's books.
"I don't read the books," Glen told RadioTimes.com. "I read the first one when they gave me the job, just to get a feel from it and a synopsis breakdown of what was going to happen to the character. But beyond that, the writers themselves, David and Dan, they didn't particularly want actors coming to the scripts from the book, always suggesting what the book did and how it was different - I could see the glazed look in their eyes when that happened."
For the first few seasons, the show remained somewhat loyal to the book, but it definitely took off on its own during season five when certain characters, who are still alive in the novels have been killed off. They also changed the storyline of certain characters, such as Sansa Stark.
It can get frustrating not knowing the true fate of one's character, especially in "Game of Thrones" where even important and well-loved characters are not spared from death, but Glen said that's just how showrunners want it.
"They were quite happy for us to move forward and treat them as screenplays with no history, so that's the reason why I only ever read the first novel," he said.
Looking back, the actor admitted that no one was expecting "Game of Thrones" to be the worldwide phenomenon that it is today, but he is honored nonetheless to be a part of it.
"No, I don't think anyone knew," he said. "It's turned into the most successful TV series of all time, so no one was going to predict that! But no, it's just grown season by season, and now it's kind of a phenomenon. It's almost, you know, falling over its success. It's an amazing thing to be part of."
He realized this while they were filming the last scene of season one, where the dragons made their appearance for the first time from the ashes of Khal Drogo. He called the scene "extraordinary" and it was his first hint that the show is destined for greater things.
As for the fate of his character, who is now infected with the greyscale, Glen hopes that he will still be alive to see his Khaleesi take over King's Landing and reclaim the throne. "I just want Jorah to be there when Daenerys finally succeeds in the end, and sits on the Iron Throne. I'd like to be beside her," he said.
