Game of Thrones actor Natalie Dormer does not take kindly to criticism of the show's graphic nature.
In an interview with The Sunday Times via The Mirror, the Margaery Tyrell actor defended the HBO program's portrayal of violence and rape, saying that the series reflects some of the horrors of real life.
"All I know is that I turn on the news, and it’s covering a boy drowning off the coast, or children being shown beheading videos," Dormer said. "The horror of human nature is prevalent in our world, and I appreciate that some people want to turn on the telly for escapism – but if that’s what you want, don’t watch Game of Thrones."
She went on to say that fantasy should be a way to process political, sexual and social politics, and that's exactly what Game of Thrones does.
Criticism of Game of Thrones as being gratuitous and misogynistic peaked last year after a controversial scene in which Sansa Stark is raped. Many argue that Thrones inappropriately uses rape as a way to shock viewers and generate online buzz, but writer Bryan Cogman recently explained this storytelling decision on the episode's DVD commentary, according to Entertainment Weekly.
“Yes, it would have been hugely satisfying [for Sansa] to have a shiv up her sleeve and gut Ramsay, but that’s not Sansa,” Cogman said. “We can’t all be Arya and, in fact, most people aren’t Arya. Most people in that situation, they have to play a longer game."
According to director Jeremy Podeswa, however, the Thrones showrunners were responsive to this outcry and changed a few things about season 6 as a result, as we previously reported.
Game of Thrones returns for its sixth season on April 24.