Rose Leslie currently plays the willing Ygritte in the powerfully awesome series, “Game of Thrones.” In a recently interview she revealed some information regarding her character’s relationship with Jon Snow as well as her character overall and filming in Iceland.
We have seen her character Ygritte flirting up a storm with the sexy Jon Snow. Leslie confirms that we will definitely see a different side of her and her relationship with Jon Snow.
You start to see a change within the relationship,” she continues. “I think she looks upon him in this episode in a different light, no more like the stupid-but-brave boy, but she’s beginning to see where he’s coming from and kind of sympathizes with him. He takes quite a beating, so she’s beginning to like him also. She softens towards him.”
We can all agree that while the costumes in “Game of Thrones” are incredibly awesome. Leslie describes just how comfortable she felt in her clothes while shooting her scenes.
I was hugely comfortable in my Ygritte costume. I was so nice and warm, and it was furry with many layers on the inside. There was no way I was going to freeze in that costume.”
When she was asked what originally drew her to play the role of Ygritte, Leslie discussed her first impressions of the character.
I love that she was so extremely strong-willed and tough. That really struck a chord with me. I’d pictured her in my mind as ruthless, but she also has a lovely playfulness to her as well when she’s teasing Jon Snow and mocking him to his face. When I was reading the sides, I totally fell in love. I thought, “This girl is brilliant! She’s incredibly intelligent, she can play this guy.” She’s cocky. She doesn’t necessarily rule the roost, but she doesn’t take orders from anybody unless it’s Mance Rayder [the wilding “King Beyond the Wall”]. She gets on very well with her wilding crew.”
If you haven’t read the books, you have noticed the sexual tension between Ygritte and Jon Snow. Leslie spoke about whether their flirtation is just teasing and strategy or if secretly really does like him.
I think it’s strategy. In that episode, there’s a scene where she seduces Jon and takes his mind off the fact that his hand is on the hilt of his sword. She distracts him and he slackens his hold on the rope, so she’s able to run away. I think it’s very practical. That’s another thing I love about her, that she’s constantly double-playing him. At the moment, all she wants to do is get away and not be his prisoner anymore. She’s aware that her wildling friends are close by, and that’s why she gets away and then he’s captured and snared in a little trap.”
Leslie also divulged into what her character thinks about Jon Snow and why is different than anyone Ygritte has met before.
She’s never come across anybody like Jon Snow before. He’s incredibly honorable, he hasn’t tried to come onto her. There they were, snuggling up on the rock and nothing really happened. He just let her be. I don’t think she’s ever come across that before in her life. I’m patently sure that’s she’s lost her virginity and has gotten pretty far with a man and for him not to try to seduce her, I don’t think she can figure it out. And then later it’s like, “I’m bored of this. You’re phenomenally dull, so I’m going to escape. I’m going to leave you. Bye!”
Off the topics of her relationships with other characters, Leslie also made note of the best and worst parts of filming in Iceland.
I think the best thing has to be the scenery. It’s epic and simply breathtaking. So many times when we were shooting or when there would be a little break, you’d lift your head and look around and think, “I can’t believe that I am here!” It was sensational. I’ve fallen in love with the country. I think the downside, understandably, is that it was very, very, very cold. We were stuck in minus-30 conditions. There wasn’t a lot you could do. You could stand still or huddle like penguins. We got through it. We were all given several layers of thermals in the costume. The wardrobe department was incredible and had these amazing hand warmers that kept you alive out there.