Game of Thrones fans were left stunned to see Jaime Lannister (played by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) and his sister Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) die in the series’ penultimate episode. Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) was in the process of burning King’s Landing to ashes as she went full Mad Queen mode, resulting in Cersei and Jaime being trapped and eventually crushed under the Red Keep. However, some GoT fans think Jaime may have survived and not really die in The Bells.
Is Jaime Lannister really dead on Game of Thrones?
Jaime Lannister’s death may seem final on the HBO series but some fans have spotted a major clue that may suggest he’s alive.
Game of Thrones cast members tend to post tributes to one another on social media once a colleague has died on-screen.
Cersei actress Headey was inundated with tributes from the likes of Euron Greyjoy actor Pilou Asbaek and Coster-Waldau, himself, after the episode.
Coster-Waldau, however, has barely had a mention among the Game of Thrones cast member’s Instagram and Twitter pages.
This has led some viewers to make the connection that it could be because Jaime’s final scenes have not aired yet.
Entertainment Weekly, the publication which releases exit interviews with each cast member after their character’s deaths, has also said it is “holding on” to the actor’s interview.
Those praying for a Jaime Lannister return may be disappointed, however, as writers, Dan Benioff and DB Weiss, have appeared to quash the speculation in an interview after the episode aired.
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Game of Thrones: Jaime and Cersei Lannister’s final scenes (Image: HBO)
Benioff told HBO’s Inside the Episode: “There’s a scene several years ago where Jaime and Bronn (Jerome Flynn) are talking about who they want to go,
“Jaime’s talking about dying in the arms of the woman he loves…and this is it.”
Weiss confirmed: “I think he knows that they belong together, they came into this world together, that they need to go out of this world together.”
Game of Thrones writer Benioff added: “Once he goes through the various exits and they’re all clogged up with rubble and there’s no way and he knows there’s no way out,
“He’s just trying to calm down the woman he loves because he knows this is it.”
Weiss concluded: “I think Jaime by the end of episode five has come to terms with who he really is,
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Game of Thrones: Headey and Coster-Waldau (Image: Instagram/Nikolaj Coster-Waldau)
“And he may not be happy with who he really is but he knows what matter to him and Cersei’s what matters to him.”
Cersei and Jaime’s departure from the show left a number of fans with negative emotions towards episode five, The Bells.
The penultimate Game of Thrones season eight episode was the worst reviewed instalment in the HBO series history.
Headey even told EW she had “mixed feelings” about Cersei’s death and had to speak extensively with Coster-Waldau to be convinced.
Despite the negative press, Coster-Waldau posted a sweet tribute to his on-screen sister/lover on Instagram.
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Game of Thrones: Jaime was left wounded by Euron (Image: HBO)
Coster-Waldau wrote: “The best, sweetest most wonderful sister from another mother @iamlenaheadey. That was a fun decade.”
Headey replied with a series of love heart emojis on Coster-Waldau’s pictures, much to the delight of die-hard GoT fans.
Asbaek also penned lengthy, heartfelt social media posts to both Headey and Coster-Waldau after Euron’s death in season eight, episode five.
The Euron Greyjoy actor wrote: “Just wanna say… it’s been an absolute blast getting to know you @iamlenaheadey THANKS for many good hours… remember when we took this photo after our first shooting day… season eight… a long time… loved working with you!!”
To Coster-Waldau, Asbaek wrote: “Thanks @nikolajwilliamcw. Two men enter, one man leaves… it’s been such a pleasure working with you!!! Oh and sorry about last night…
“Didn’t know you were in a hurry… Don’t have that many friends on #gameofthrones and just wanted to hang out on the beach…
“Maybe play the guitar, make a fire and chill under the stars while the world was burning around us… kind of romantic if you ask me… but sadly you never do… #jaimelannister #eurongreyjoy #youneverknow.”
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Game of Thrones: Euron Greyjoy thought he’d killed Jaime (Image: HBO)
Game of Thrones: Coster-Waldau shared several snaps with Headey (Image: Instagram/Nikolaj Coster-Waldau)
Why did Jaime Lannister betray Daenerys?
Jaime’s reasons for betraying Daenerys are explained by series writer Weiss.
Weiss told Inside the Episode that Jaime knew he and Cersei needed to “go out of this world together”.
Jaime knew his sister didn’t stand much of a chance in the Battle of King’s Landing and, therefore, wanted to be with his twin.
In Game of Thrones season eight, episode four, The Last of the Starks, Jaime also listed a number of reasons to Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie), leaving her heartbroken.
He concluded by saying everything he had ever done, was for Cersei.
Cersei and his bond was enough for Jaime to betray Daenerys and Jon Snow (Kit Harington).
Game of Thrones season 8 concludes on HBO in the US on Sunday 9pm ET and on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV in the UK on Monday at 2am & 9pm BST.