Game of Thrones - Interview with Aidan Gillen

Standing outside the Powerscourt Centre on a mild Saturday morning, Aidan Gillen cuts an anonymous figure. Coffee in hand, wearing a black hoodie and a clean pair of grey Converse, you would be inclined to think he was teenager rather than a celebrated actor, but the forty-three-year-old’s famously boyish looks are hidden behind tiredness and a wary glower; the flecks of grey in his hair also give him away.

Everything about Gillen seems an attempt at deflecting from his relative celebrity; he describes himself as “vaguely recognisable” and proves to be extremely uncomfortable with the public’s attention, especially for an actor. After spending the past fifteen years in central roles, at home and abroad, on shows such as Queer as Folk, The Wire, Love/Hate and Game of Thrones, one would expect him to feel at home in the spotlight, and, despite his awkwardness, he is never less than thoughtful and articulate. Considering his suspicion of publicity, his latest role as host of RTÉ’s Other Voices is a rather fitting one. “I thought from my side of things that it’d be free and easy non-limelight type work; I could just be myself, watch people I admire play good music and throw the odd comment in here and there. When you get left in charge of the shop you just have to get on like you know what you’re doing, don’t you? That’s how you learn, I think.”

Source: Full article @ The University Observer