Following the season seven finale, Game of Thrones fans were worried that Beric Dondarrion and Tormund Giantsbane (and his majestic beard) were killed during the Night King’s attack on the Wall. If any show was going to kill a fan-favorite character like Tormund, it’s this one (especially by a blue fire-breathing dragon). But good news, everyone: not only was Kristofer Hivju, the actor who plays the wilding, spotted in Belfast, where much of Thrones is filmed, but we now have confirmation that both he and Beric made it out of the season alive.
HBO submitted the finale, “The Dragon and the Wolf,” for Emmys consideration; it was nominated for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series, along with episodes of The Americans, The Crown, The Handmaid’s Eve, Killing Eve, and Stranger Things. In the section applying to Tormund and Beric, the script, which has been released online, reads, “Tormund and Beric lead their wildling comrades to the stairs carved in the ice — Eastwatch has a massive zig-zag stairway, not an elevator like Castle Black. They run for their lives and disappear from view.” They, along with every other character on Thrones, might die in season eight, but for now, they’re safe(-ish) and sound(-ish).
Don't worry. Tormund survived the collapse of the Wall. And he is alive and well flying his own dragon for @UofUAirMed! #GameOfThrones pic.twitter.com/nM0HLOv8os
— University of Utah (@UUtah) August 29, 2017
In other news: we won’t be traveling to Braavos in the final season. When asked if he survives the final season, Mark Gatiss (the Sherlock star who plays the Iron Bank employee Tycho Nestoris) responded, “I’m not in it, so I guess I survive. Although they might just mention offhand that I’ve had my head bitten off by a dragon off-screen or something.” By comparison, Tormund and Beric are living on easy street (which runs parallel to Death by Dragon Boulevard).
Meanwhile, Emilia Clarke is sure enjoying being finished with Game of Thrones. “I feel giddy and light after being suspended in a two week state of bliss sponsored sunshine,” she wrote on Instagram. “Who knew the end of something could bring about the start of something very good for my brain.”