There are times when the epic journey that his character, Robb Stark, has embarked on in Game of Thrones has felt a little similar to Richard Madden’s own experience working on the acclaimed HBO show. You might say that they’ve grown up together.
On screen, Madden plays Robb Stark who, when still a very young man, is chosen to lead his people after his father Ned (played by Sean Bean) is murdered at the hands of the Starks’ bitter enemies, The Lannisters.
The warring clans are at the heart of a brutal battle for control of Westeros, the fictional land created by George R. R. Martin in his brilliantly imagined series of best selling fantasy novels, A Song of Ice and Fire. Martin has now completed five volumes and a further two are planned.
Madden was just 21 when he landed the much sought after role in the show, which is based on Martin’s books, and he recently completed the third season. He has, he says, come of age as an actor during that time, mirroring his character, Robb, who develops into an assured, charismatic leader as the story unfolds.
“I went from being a young actor getting a great part in a big show, which I didn’t expect, with more and more pressure being put on me as an actor, which I’ve really enjoyed and hopefully I’ve handled well and acquitted myself well,” he says.
Remind us of where Robb Stark was at the end of season two?
Robb has a woman, Talisa, in his life but more importantly he’s kind of lost one too, his mother. And Robb has always needed wise heads to give him good counsel since this all started and he was forced into the position of taking up the mantel of leading the North.
What can we expect from season three?
Oh I think you can expect some more fantastic storytelling because that’s the power of George’s work — he’s created an incredible story that never ceases to grip the audience and it’s full of characters who do unexpected things. We’re in the hands of a master storyteller here and season three is, I think, as good if not better than previous seasons. He’s dealing with the themes that have been there right from the start — the lust for power, betrayal, and dysfunctional families — it’s all there.
Without giving too much away, it’s a big season for your character. Has that been challenging to play?
It’s always challenging but it’s always hugely enjoyable. And yes, there’s a lot happening for Robb in this season. I like season three because he’s with his extended family at the start. He’s with his family on his mother’s side, the Tullys, who he hasn’t seen in years. And it’s strange to see Robb in a family situation again. And whereas before he was simply a nephew now his uncles have to kneel to him because he is their King. So it’s a really strange family dynamic. We go to Riverrun (the Tully’s ancestral home) for my grandfather’s funeral and Robb’s relationship with his mother is still very difficult because of what she did when she freed Jaime Lannister. And now she is at arm’s length and no one is really close to him in the way that she once was — he’s lost his true confidante. So like it or not he has to be the King and being the King is a lonely place to be. He has a lot of other problems too, not least because he has a dwindling army of men who are exhausted and starving. So when we start season three, there’s a great line where he says, ‘Tywin Lannister [Charles Dance] knows exactly what he needs to do to make us unravel — nothing.’ So Robb is in a very perilous place.
Were there scenes that you particularly enjoyed doing during season three?
Yes, there were. There’s a wonderful scene that I had with Tobias Menzies, who plays Robb’s uncle, Edmure Tully, which was so well written and wonderful to do. And one of the things that I love about Game of Thrones is that when I watch it as a viewer it has the power to pull you in to all the different stories that are going on and a way of making you involved with different characters. When Robb’s on I’m on his side, obviously, but when Tyrion [Peter Dinklage] is on I’m on his side or when Daenerys [Emilia Clarke] is on I’m on her side. It’s incredible the way it can do that. Every character is like that — so brilliantly drawn and rounded and you are involved in each and every one of their stories. And obviously the most memorable sequence in season three was filming episode nine. Anyone who has read the book will know exactly what I’m referring to. It’s called The Red Wedding and I don’t really want to give anything away for those people who haven’t read it. But it was kind of operatic and incredible to film.
