Game of Thrones’s Nathalie Emmanuel wants TV shows to learn from backlash over Missandei’s fate

Natasha Reda

Game of Thrones star Nathalie Emmanuel has finally addressed the controversy over her character Missandei’s heartbreaking death in the HBO show’s eighth and final season. As most fans will recall, she was killed off in the fourth episode after being captured by Cersei Lannister. It was especially brutal because Missandei was a former slave who was put in chains and then beheaded by the Mountain as her friend Daenerys Targaryen watched. The scene sparked backlash, and not just because Missandei was a fan-favorite character. Her demise was also a reminder of GoT‘s problematic treatment of race.

Now, in a new interview with Entertainment Tonight, the actress revealed she can understand why fans were so upset over her death, particularly because she was just one of two characters of color (the other being Greyworm) with a major role on the show.

undefined

Following her exit, Emmanuel shared an emotional goodbye message on her Instagram account, thanking her fans for their love and support, and adding that it was a pleasure to play this character for so many years. However, she had no idea that Missandei’s death was going to be one of the most talked-about moments of the season.

View this post on Instagram

It’s been one of my greatest joys playing Missandei of Naath... The quiet and kind translator. A brilliant woman who overcame so much suffering and found herself, her voice... and her one and only love. She represented so much for me, personally, that I have no choice but to carry the things she has taught me into my life going forward. Thank you to everyone who made it possible for me to play this part... this life changing part... there are too many to list... @emilia_clarke GIRL! I love you... SO much. I’ve loved playing your BFF for the past 7 years. Thank you for being such a wonderful person in my life and a source of light and laughter. The Bad Ass Boss Lady Warrior Goddess club will live on forever 😂🙌🏽 @raleighritchie.... Jacoooob! I literally cannot tell you what sharing the screen with you has meant to me. I found performances I didn’t know I had inside me, simply because you gave me so much to work against. Playing Missandei and Grey Worm’s journey has been so special. I couldn’t have asked for a more generous and supportive co-star... Also... We’ve been out in these streets together boiiii🤣😂 negotiating so much but always having each other’s back. Thank you for all of it... you have been a dear friend at every point. To the entire cast and crew... You will always hold a special place in my heart. The love and energy we shared will be hard to match. I feel like I hit the jackpot meeting and working with you all. I love you. To the fans of the show, and of Missandei... Thank you for all the love and support... It’s been a pleasure playing her for you. I know last night was pretty intense for some of you so I invite you to participate in my fantasy where I like to think that, right now.... Missandei is sipping a rum on a beach somwhere in sky 😂... 🍹🌴 #andnowmywatchhasended #MissandeiofNaath #Dracarys #thankyouforsupportingme #RIPMissandei #isleofbutterflies #🦋 #illbeseeingyou

A post shared by Nathalie Emmanuel (@nathalieemmanuel) on May 7, 2019 at 4:04am PDT

Emmanuel admitted to ET that while she “wasn’t quite prepared for the size of the reaction,” she’s glad her character’s death sparked a conversation about representation because it’s something every show can learn from moving forward.

undefined

Despite being killed off the show, Emmanuel is grateful to have been given the opportunity to play Missandei for six seasons. She also thinks it was “important that [her character] left with power,” adding that Missandei’s strength and ferocity in her final moments were really important to her.

Now that Game of Thrones is over, you can watch Emmanuel in Mindy Kaling’s new Four Weddings and a Funeral series on Hulu, which debuts July 31st.