Lord Varys is one of the most compellingGame of Thronescharacters, and actorConleth Hillis sharing why he decided to star on the hit HBO drama.
Hill played Varys from 2011 to 2019, and in an interview withTheIrish Times, Hill said that he was uncertain that he wanted to say yes to the role for a while. He said:
“I was resistant for a long time. I’m not into wizards."
However,whenHill read oneGame of Thronesscene, he agreed to star as Varys. In season 3, episode 4, “And Now His Watch Is Ended," Varys shares his story with Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) and explains that he became a eunuch because a sorcerer abducted him when he was a child. This scene is so memorable because Varys opens a crate and shows Tyrion that the sorcerer who abused him is in there. Varys has many meaningful scenes with Tyrion as they are allies, but fans remember this one the most.
It’s interesting to hear Hill’s explanation of why he was drawn to playing Varys onGame of Thronesbecause fans often wonder what attracts actors to certain parts. Varys has an unforgettable character arc onGame of Thrones. He is alsothe Master of WhisperersandDaenerys Targaryen’s (Emilia Clarke) dragon Drogon kills him in season 8, episode 5, “The Bells.“This is one ofthe most memorable episodes about Daenerysand packs an emotional punch. While there are someoff-screen deaths onGame of Thrones,viewers get a close look at the fire that ends Varys’s life, and it’s terrifying.
Hill is honest about what scene made him want to say yes to playing Varys, and he has shared his thoughts on other parts of the show as well. It’s never easy when an actor learns that their character is leaving a show, and Hill toldEntertainment Weeklyonce his last episode aired that he"took it very personally.“When Hill gave an interview toThe Times UK,he talked about what it was like when he found out that Varys would die. He said, “I thought I’d done something wrong” and continued, “I felt that last series was a bit rushed. I was inconsolable, but now I’m fine about it.” Fans have been critical of the finalGame of Thronesseason, and so has Kit Harrington, who toldGQthat hefelt thatGame of Thronesseason 8 was “rushed.”
Although he was unsure about agreeing to the HBO series at first, Hill was a great fit, particularly thanks to his Shakespearean background. He appeared inAll’s Well That Ends Wellat London’s National Theater and toldThe Irish Times:
“I don’t think it was a typical casting call. They wanted people who could handle the language, who had done Shakespeare.”
Hill’s other roles include playing Edward Darby in several episodes ofSuitsthat aired in 2013.The actor has appeared in many mysteries, playing Mendel Liebermann on the TV dramaVienna Bloodfrom 2019 to 2024 and Alan Conway on the 2024 seriesMoonflower Murders. He also played Pope Gregory XIII in one episode ofthe Netflix sci-fi series3 Body Problem.
