Game of Thrones stunned HBO and Sky Atlantic viewers in season 8, episode 2 when Arya Stark had s-x with blacksmith Gendry. But did actor Maisie Williams use a body double for Arya's s-x scene in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms?
Arya Stark (played by Maisie Williams) and Gendry's (Joe Dempsie) s-x scene in Game of Thrones season eight, episode two, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, certainly took GOT viewers by surprise. Some labellied it “uncomfortable” as the character b-red all on the HBO and Sky Atlantic series. Despite the show ending, the Game of Thrones star has revealed what happened behind the scenes of the famous incident and whether or not she used a body double for Arya Stark's s-x scene.
Arya Stark’s s-x scene with Gendry took place towards the end of the second episode of season eight, titled A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
Game of Thrones viewers watched as Arya questioned Gendry about how many women he had slept with.
Williams’ character then told him she “wanted to know what it was like” on, what they thought could be, their last night alive.
After Arya planted a kiss on Gendry the pair began undressing, with Arya shown topless in the basement of Winterfell.
The s-x scene received a mixed reception from HBO and Sky Atlantic viewers alike with many remembering Arya's transformation from the sweet girl they saw in season one.
Some also questioned if it was really the actor, Williams has appeared to confirm she didn’t use a body double for the intim-te scene.
Williams and on-screen sister Sophie Turner, who plays Sansa Stark, discussed the scene with Entertainment Weekly.
Turner said: “I called Maisie and was like: ‘Have you read it yet?’
“And she’s like, ‘I’m midway through episode one.’ And I’m like: ‘This scene, this page, read it! This is awesome!’ She was very happy.”
The Arya Stark actress then said: “Sophie said: ‘Whatever you do, you have to skip to this episode, this scene first.’
“So I just read that and it was practically all I knew about the entire season.”
The Game of Thrones star then revealed she was allowed final say on how much nudity was to be shown in the scene with Gendry.
Williams continued: “David and Dan [showrunners] were like: ‘You can show as much or as little as you want,’
“So I kept myself pretty private. I don’t think it’s important for Arya to flash. This beat isn’t really about that. And everybody else has already done it on the show, so…”
Since the episode aired around the world, many viewers have taken to Twitter to offer their opinions on the scene.
Williams, herself, also took to social media to poke fun at the moment that divided fans.
On Tuesday, April 23, Williams tweeted: “If u [sic] feel uncomfortable just know that my mother and my step-dad and my two sisters and my four brothers have all probably watched this too ahahakillmeehehe.”
Turner also published a hilarious clip to her own Instagram page after the Gendry s-x scene aired.
Gendry actor Dempsie is yet to take to social media to express his thoughts on the scene.
However, Dempsie also told EW it was “obviously slightly strange” because he’d known Williams since she was “11, 12 years old”.
The s-x scene did confirm the millions of Game of Thrones fans' theory that Gendry and Arya would have a romance in season eight.
However, a lasting romance wasn't to be as Arya headed west of Westeros without Gendry in the last ever episode of Game of Thrones.
The character's departure has led to some rumours there could an Arya Stark spin-off series in the years to come, however.
The Arya and Gendry s-x scene may have been the biggest talking point from A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms but there was still plenty of action elsewhere.
Gendry also gave Arya the weapon she had him specially make, which she wielded to fight the army of the dead in episode three, The Long Night.
It is some sort of detachable spear which fans first caught a glimpse of when Arya wielded it in the season eight trailer.
Away from the pair, one of the most pivotal moments came when Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead-Wright) revealed the Night King’s (Vladimir Furdik) true motives.
The rest of Winterfell listened in shock as Bran dropped the bombshell that the Night King wants an “endless night” which starts with him killing Bran.
Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) was also allowed to remain a free man by Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke).
Daenerys told the Kingslayer how she wanted him dead for what he did to her father.
However, with seemingly bigger fish to fry in the form of the White Walkers and army of the dead, Sansa, Jon Snow (Kit Harington) and Dany decided to utilise his skills in battle instead.
This led to one of the series’ most heartwarming moments to date between Jaime and Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie).
Brienne was knighted by Ser Jaime in recognition of her tireless efforts and selfless battles over the past eight seasons.
The teary-eyed Brienne rose from her knee to be applauded by Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage), Ser Davos (Liam Cunningham), and Tormund Giantsbane (Kristofer Hivju) among others.
Before plaudits could be shared, the action switched to Jon Snow and Daenerys in the Crypts of Winterfell.
Jon decided it was time to tell Daenerys about their true Targaryen family connection and his real identity.
As Daenerys processed the news, she seemed more startled by the fact Jon had a claim to the Iron Throne rather than the revelation she’d been sleeping with her nephew.
Before viewers got to see her full reaction, the army of the dead arrived and the episode ended, setting up a truly unmissable third episode of the final season.
Ahead of the third instalment, HBO released first look pictures from episode three.
HBO also released first look pictures for episode four and five.
The first picture from the Game of Thrones series finale have also been made public by HBO.
