Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
This is Later with Lee Matthews, The Lee Matthews Podcast
More what You Hear Weekday Afternoon's on the Drive.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
He's most known as Hodor and Game of Thrones a
fan favorite. Christian Narren is also an author. His newest
memoir is called Beyond the Throne. He's joining us now
to talk about it, and Christian. Just reading about the
memoir itself, I'm struck by the line from the Grateful
Dead song, what a long, strange trip it's been.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
Wow, that is probably very accurate. Actually it does, I'm
gonna tell you it does. Fila got from my side
as well.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
You started out in Ireland when you were a young man,
when Ireland was in a pretty tumultuous time.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
Yeah, yeah, I mean I think we're all very grateful
that it's not quite that way now. I'm very proud
of how it's changed. Actually, we obviously still have it
cheese like every place, but yeah, I don't with Game
of Thrones and stuff. It's just nice to have a
spotlight shown on the country for a different reason.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
Mm hmm. Well, and I don't know that people realize
how tumultuous it was because so many generations have passed
since there was that religious strife between the people of
Ireland and but at the same time, when you were
living and growing up, did you personally experience any of
(01:30):
any of the violence.
Speaker 3 (01:33):
Yeah, I mean, I don't say this as a sob story,
my friend, because we all went through this in Belfast
and Ireland. We all have a shared experience and a
shared trauma, and some of us are very badly affected.
Some of us got through it and in a lighter way,
but it was a very dark time. And normalize being
(01:53):
knocked off your feet by bomb blasts on a regular
basis and obstantly been evacuated, seeing people being shocked, just
that kind of thing where we all have this in
our dna. I actually think it's where we have the
Irish sense of humor from. We have this crazy sense.
I'm telling you right now, he's traveled every country in
the world. Basically, no one gets our sense of humor
(02:15):
like we do because it's black people will get it.
And I think we're being kind of cruel, But that's
just how we coped, you know, the only way. That's
why we have such a unique sense of humor. But
I loved my country and I love on both sides
of the border. I'm so proud to be from there.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
He's known as Hodor and Game of Thrones. His newest
memoirs called Beyond the Throne his first memoir where he
shares behind the scenes stories of the perils and triumphs
of Game of Thrones. And if you're a fan, you'll
love this. Christianairean is with us. Now, did you draw
upon any of those experiences growing up in a tumultuous
time in Ireland when you had to act out a
(02:55):
tumultuous scene on Game of Thrones?
Speaker 3 (03:01):
Well, actually no, I'm going to say no, but not consciously.
But obviously everything I do is probably going to be
influenced by that, just like we all are. I really
called more on my own sort of shyness and introversion
for one of a better word, when I was a
child and teenager even, and that's what I put into Holder,
(03:23):
and that's what I put into those scenes. I was like,
I would I have reacted when I didn't have the
experiences I have. I was trying to put myself back
to when it was more innocent and shy and really
put myself in that position. I would I have reacted
back then? And that's kind of what I poured in there,
so I think you're actually right. I think those experiences
did partly go into it.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
Christionnaireing Beyond the Throne is his memoir, And let's talk
a little about about your growing up, because I don't
know that there's anything long and strange about becoming an
actor on a hit show like a Game of Thrones,
but it is when you are not a trained actor,
or which you were not.
Speaker 3 (04:02):
Yeah, it was kind of more short and strange. I
am trying now I should say, yes, of course, yeah,
that's yeah. I kind of had I had the best
on the job training, you know, which wasn't given to me.
I took it assume that I was on this amazing
set with these incredible actors from all over the world,
(04:22):
and I would be insane not to try and learn
from that. You know, these are the top of their game.
So I just tried to be like a sponge. But yeah,
I s it's bizarre, really maybe short and strange the
way I got into it. I definitely wasn't passed.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
Christiannaire and Beyond the Throne is his memoir about his
days and not only on Game of Thrones but growing
up in Ireland and one of your adventures led you
to DJing and a club. How did you get into that?
Speaker 3 (04:53):
Well, I was actually performing. It was probably the world's
most unlikely drag artist at the time. The club in Belfast,
and literally one night as DJ phoned in sick and
I said, well, I have a last music collection and
I know how to DJ because I went to me
to college. I fell then and a Literally I must
(05:15):
have done something right because since that night I've just
been at DJ and I haven't stopped.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
DJA and has been since well for the past two decades.
So you're still actively doing that.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
Yeah, three three decades. I'm coming up to three, almost
thirty years. Yep.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
What is it about DJing that that makes you happy?
Speaker 3 (05:37):
Well, it's the crowd really. I mean we get gratification,
instant reaction, which you don't really get as an actor
unless you didn't theater. That's a huge high. But the
crowd can affect me as much as I affect them,
you know, as they're not having a great night or
there's a weird mood. I love that though. I love
the whole emotional roller coaster of it all. It's very dramatic,
you know.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
I'm from Game of Thrones as whole door, but he's
also had appearances on the appearance Robin Hood Rebellion, Mythical
The God Slayer, and television shows like The Rookie Christian Naire.
And is with us. Of the co stars that you
were working with on Game of Thrones, which one do
you think taught you the most.
Speaker 3 (06:19):
The most? That's interesting. Normally I say here because he
would be the one I was with most, but I
guess if we're going for taught, I would say Ron
Donald No, Ron Donalkey and Donald Sumpter Bosom. Yeah, there
was sort of older actors. Ron played a sell he
(06:40):
was the arms master in winter Fell, and Donald tays
like the old sort of doctor meister Lewin. They had
just such old skill acting techniques. I'm just wonderful to watch.
Every take was different, Like we also were always encouraged
to for editing sake, try to do something very similar
slightly different, but for another take you'll do something slightly different.
(07:03):
They would give it slightly different performance, and it was
really wonderful to watch. It was almost like watching live theater.
So I'll definitely give it to one of those two.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
Speaking of which you were you were always filming in
very gothic locations where the weather wasn't always very favorable.
Speaker 3 (07:20):
Yeah, I mean that's home for me though. Yeah, some
of the things were like five miles from my house.
Oh okay, yeah, I live in western els Man, So yeah,
that was I'm kind of used to that. But it
wasn't like at some at some stages, especially the night shoots,
and then went through that. That was. That was rough.
Speaker 2 (07:40):
Kristin Naron is with us hod Or from Game of
Thrones and his memoir is out. It's called Beyond the Throne.
You know, you're still a pretty young guy. A lot
of people usually wait till they're about ready to retire
to write a memoir.
Speaker 3 (07:53):
What inspired you, Well, that's when I learned the difference
in a photobiography and a memoir. I didn't know before
this because I was like, my Lef's not over, I
can't write this. But then this is just the first
part of my life. I say it as and I
do actually plan to write another one because I forgot
half the stuff and you're like, oh, okay, I forgot
(08:17):
about that, And I don't feel that right reached my
final destination yet, so I'm still very much working and
seeing what happens. So I am interested to see if
I can write another book, but I definitely planned to.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
Was there a friend or relative that encouraged you, Oh,
you want to write a book?
Speaker 3 (08:39):
Mm hmmm, I don't know. Really. My mom was very behind. Obviously.
I talked quite a lot about her in the book,
and I had to get her. I wanted to be
respectful and express permission to talk about all that stuff.
But yeah, I don't think it really suck any my
family's opinions out side.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
Of that, Christianaire, yeah, uh, Beyond and your moms, I
imagine she was very supportive all through your childhood and
your choices of career and and choices of of how
you were going to spend your time.
Speaker 3 (09:14):
Yeah, even when she didn't always agree with the mom,
she always backed me up. And she still does so
this very day.
Speaker 2 (09:21):
I'm very lucky Beyond the Throne his first memoir, Christiannaire,
and is with us. And let's talk about some of
the projects you've got coming. The Game of Thrones is
not where it ends.
Speaker 3 (09:34):
Oh well, I've got a lot of comic cons coming up.
I've been working on a lot of them. In new music,
I've been writing some poetry, working on some more writing
as well, and there's a few projects with I'm not
allowed to talk about amount of the Typical Actors book.
We all do the actor thing, you know. I'm that's
so boring, but that's yeah to any time coming up.
(09:59):
I'm very excited.
Speaker 2 (10:00):
I imagine you're a big hit at comic cons.
Speaker 3 (10:04):
It's fun. Man. I never expect any of this, but yeah,
I'm always very busy at comic cons, and i always
try to be very respectful to my fans, like saying
my fans, you know, it's weird. I love them and
the fact that they spend their money and they come
out and they're so kind. It means the world to me.
Speaker 2 (10:26):
Beyond the Throne Christian Narren is the writer of the
memoir you know as Hodor on Game of Thrones. We
thank you for joining us and for bringing us this book.
Speaker 3 (10:36):
Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
Thanks for listening to Later with Lee Matthews, the Lee
Matthews Podcast, and remember to listen to The Drive Live
weekday afternoons from five to seven and iHeartMedia Presentation
This is Later with Lee Matthews, The Lee Matthews Podcast
More what You Hear Weekday Afternoon's on the Drive.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
He's most known as Hodor and Game of Thrones a
fan favorite. Christian Narren is also an author. His newest
memoir is called Beyond the Throne. He's joining us now
to talk about it, and Christian. Just reading about the
memoir itself, I'm struck by the line from the Grateful
Dead song, what a long, strange trip it's been.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
Wow, that is probably very accurate. Actually it does, I'm
gonna tell you it does. Fila got from my side
as well.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
You started out in Ireland when you were a young man,
when Ireland was in a pretty tumultuous time.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
Yeah, yeah, I mean I think we're all very grateful
that it's not quite that way now. I'm very proud
of how it's changed. Actually, we obviously still have it
cheese like every place, but yeah, I don't with Game
of Thrones and stuff. It's just nice to have a
spotlight shown on the country for a different reason.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
Mm hmm. Well, and I don't know that people realize
how tumultuous it was because so many generations have passed
since there was that religious strife between the people of
Ireland and but at the same time, when you were
living and growing up, did you personally experience any of
(01:30):
any of the violence.
Speaker 3 (01:33):
Yeah, I mean, I don't say this as a sob story,
my friend, because we all went through this in Belfast
and Ireland. We all have a shared experience and a
shared trauma, and some of us are very badly affected.
Some of us got through it and in a lighter way,
but it was a very dark time. And normalize being
(01:53):
knocked off your feet by bomb blasts on a regular
basis and obstantly been evacuated, seeing people being shocked, just
that kind of thing where we all have this in
our dna. I actually think it's where we have the
Irish sense of humor from. We have this crazy sense.
I'm telling you right now, he's traveled every country in
the world. Basically, no one gets our sense of humor
(02:15):
like we do because it's black people will get it.
And I think we're being kind of cruel, But that's
just how we coped, you know, the only way. That's
why we have such a unique sense of humor. But
I loved my country and I love on both sides
of the border. I'm so proud to be from there.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
He's known as Hodor and Game of Thrones. His newest
memoirs called Beyond the Throne his first memoir where he
shares behind the scenes stories of the perils and triumphs
of Game of Thrones. And if you're a fan, you'll
love this. Christianairean is with us. Now, did you draw
upon any of those experiences growing up in a tumultuous
time in Ireland when you had to act out a
(02:55):
tumultuous scene on Game of Thrones?
Speaker 3 (03:01):
Well, actually no, I'm going to say no, but not consciously.
But obviously everything I do is probably going to be
influenced by that, just like we all are. I really
called more on my own sort of shyness and introversion
for one of a better word, when I was a
child and teenager even, and that's what I put into Holder,
(03:23):
and that's what I put into those scenes. I was like,
I would I have reacted when I didn't have the
experiences I have. I was trying to put myself back
to when it was more innocent and shy and really
put myself in that position. I would I have reacted
back then? And that's kind of what I poured in there,
so I think you're actually right. I think those experiences
did partly go into it.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
Christionnaireing Beyond the Throne is his memoir, And let's talk
a little about about your growing up, because I don't
know that there's anything long and strange about becoming an
actor on a hit show like a Game of Thrones,
but it is when you are not a trained actor,
or which you were not.
Speaker 3 (04:02):
Yeah, it was kind of more short and strange. I
am trying now I should say, yes, of course, yeah,
that's yeah. I kind of had I had the best
on the job training, you know, which wasn't given to me.
I took it assume that I was on this amazing
set with these incredible actors from all over the world,
(04:22):
and I would be insane not to try and learn
from that. You know, these are the top of their game.
So I just tried to be like a sponge. But yeah,
I s it's bizarre, really maybe short and strange the
way I got into it. I definitely wasn't passed.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
Christiannaire and Beyond the Throne is his memoir about his
days and not only on Game of Thrones but growing
up in Ireland and one of your adventures led you
to DJing and a club. How did you get into that?
Speaker 3 (04:53):
Well, I was actually performing. It was probably the world's
most unlikely drag artist at the time. The club in Belfast,
and literally one night as DJ phoned in sick and
I said, well, I have a last music collection and
I know how to DJ because I went to me
to college. I fell then and a Literally I must
(05:15):
have done something right because since that night I've just
been at DJ and I haven't stopped.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
DJA and has been since well for the past two decades.
So you're still actively doing that.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
Yeah, three three decades. I'm coming up to three, almost
thirty years. Yep.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
What is it about DJing that that makes you happy?
Speaker 3 (05:37):
Well, it's the crowd really. I mean we get gratification,
instant reaction, which you don't really get as an actor
unless you didn't theater. That's a huge high. But the
crowd can affect me as much as I affect them,
you know, as they're not having a great night or
there's a weird mood. I love that though. I love
the whole emotional roller coaster of it all. It's very dramatic,
you know.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
I'm from Game of Thrones as whole door, but he's
also had appearances on the appearance Robin Hood Rebellion, Mythical
The God Slayer, and television shows like The Rookie Christian Naire.
And is with us. Of the co stars that you
were working with on Game of Thrones, which one do
you think taught you the most.
Speaker 3 (06:19):
The most? That's interesting. Normally I say here because he
would be the one I was with most, but I
guess if we're going for taught, I would say Ron
Donald No, Ron Donalkey and Donald Sumpter Bosom. Yeah, there
was sort of older actors. Ron played a sell he
(06:40):
was the arms master in winter Fell, and Donald tays
like the old sort of doctor meister Lewin. They had
just such old skill acting techniques. I'm just wonderful to watch.
Every take was different, Like we also were always encouraged
to for editing sake, try to do something very similar
slightly different, but for another take you'll do something slightly different.
(07:03):
They would give it slightly different performance, and it was
really wonderful to watch. It was almost like watching live theater.
So I'll definitely give it to one of those two.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
Speaking of which you were you were always filming in
very gothic locations where the weather wasn't always very favorable.
Speaker 3 (07:20):
Yeah, I mean that's home for me though. Yeah, some
of the things were like five miles from my house.
Oh okay, yeah, I live in western els Man, So yeah,
that was I'm kind of used to that. But it
wasn't like at some at some stages, especially the night shoots,
and then went through that. That was. That was rough.
Speaker 2 (07:40):
Kristin Naron is with us hod Or from Game of
Thrones and his memoir is out. It's called Beyond the Throne.
You know, you're still a pretty young guy. A lot
of people usually wait till they're about ready to retire
to write a memoir.
Speaker 3 (07:53):
What inspired you, Well, that's when I learned the difference
in a photobiography and a memoir. I didn't know before
this because I was like, my Lef's not over, I
can't write this. But then this is just the first
part of my life. I say it as and I
do actually plan to write another one because I forgot
half the stuff and you're like, oh, okay, I forgot
(08:17):
about that, And I don't feel that right reached my
final destination yet, so I'm still very much working and
seeing what happens. So I am interested to see if
I can write another book, but I definitely planned to.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
Was there a friend or relative that encouraged you, Oh,
you want to write a book?
Speaker 3 (08:39):
Mm hmmm, I don't know. Really. My mom was very behind. Obviously.
I talked quite a lot about her in the book,
and I had to get her. I wanted to be
respectful and express permission to talk about all that stuff.
But yeah, I don't think it really suck any my
family's opinions out side.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
Of that, Christianaire, yeah, uh, Beyond and your moms, I
imagine she was very supportive all through your childhood and
your choices of career and and choices of of how
you were going to spend your time.
Speaker 3 (09:14):
Yeah, even when she didn't always agree with the mom,
she always backed me up. And she still does so
this very day.
Speaker 2 (09:21):
I'm very lucky Beyond the Throne his first memoir, Christiannaire,
and is with us. And let's talk about some of
the projects you've got coming. The Game of Thrones is
not where it ends.
Speaker 3 (09:34):
Oh well, I've got a lot of comic cons coming up.
I've been working on a lot of them. In new music,
I've been writing some poetry, working on some more writing
as well, and there's a few projects with I'm not
allowed to talk about amount of the Typical Actors book.
We all do the actor thing, you know. I'm that's
so boring, but that's yeah to any time coming up.
(09:59):
I'm very excited.
Speaker 2 (10:00):
I imagine you're a big hit at comic cons.
Speaker 3 (10:04):
It's fun. Man. I never expect any of this, but yeah,
I'm always very busy at comic cons, and i always
try to be very respectful to my fans, like saying
my fans, you know, it's weird. I love them and
the fact that they spend their money and they come
out and they're so kind. It means the world to me.
Speaker 2 (10:26):
Beyond the Throne Christian Narren is the writer of the
memoir you know as Hodor on Game of Thrones. We
thank you for joining us and for bringing us this book.
Speaker 3 (10:36):
Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
Thanks for listening to Later with Lee Matthews, the Lee
Matthews Podcast, and remember to listen to The Drive Live
weekday afternoons from five to seven and iHeartMedia Presentation
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