Finn Bennett, who plays Aerion Targaryen in the new Game of Thrones spinoff A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, has revealed his favorite characters from the flagship series. And they might surprise longtime fans of the series.
Speaking about the original Game of Thrones, in a recent interview with Vulture, Bennett shared his admiration for one of the most controversial families in Westeros. He said,
The Lannister siblings are my favorite characters from the original series and the books, because they all, individually, have huge reckonings, which is such a nice clean arc.
However, the wider Game of Thrones fandom may not fully agree with Bennett’s take. The Lannisters are famously divisive. While Jaime Lannister earned some redemption through his personal growth, the same cannot be said for Cersei and Tyrion Lannister. The characters remain controversial due to their selfish choices, dark decisions, and manipulative behavior.
Finn Bennett on Not Modeling Aerion After Game of Thrones
Finn Bennett has revealed the care he took to ensure his character in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms wasn’t modeled on the Targaryens audiences have already seen in Game of Thrones.
Finn Bennett in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms | Credit: HBO
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the actor revealed he was particularly cautious about not being influenced by past portrayals of Targaryens, especially Emilia Clarke’s iconic Daenerys. “It’s hard not to be because they’re so f**king good,” Bennett shared.
Bennett shared his admiration for Clarke, saying, “She’s almost like a prophet. She’s so stoic and calm, but has this real fire bubbling beneath the surface.” However, realising what truly worked for him, he chose to play Aireon in a way that feels authentic to him.
It was maybe a kind of reckoning to see there are limits to what I can do, and what works for me. Maybe those will change, as I get older and my face changes and I grow rounder.
That realization shaped his approach to Aireon Targaryen in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, where Bennett plays a volatile, dangerous Targaryen prince. Rather than emulate past portrayals, he leaned into a different energy, one that better suited his own instincts and the character’s unpredictable nature.
Why Finn Bennett Does Not See Aerion as Sadistic
During his interview with Vulture, Finn Bennett reflected on his portrayal of Prince Aerion Targaryen, noting that he does not see his character as sadistic.
Reflecting on Aerion’s shocking actions in episode 3 of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, where he fights dishonourably and mortally wounds Ser Humfrey Hardyng’s horse, Bennett emphasized, “I don’t think it’s sadistic at all.”
He explained that Aerion’s behavior is not motivated by the enjoyment of cruelty but by arrogance and entitlement, as he knows that he can do anything and get away without any consequences.
He’s come into the tournament being like, I’m gonna win this. And, early on, he’s maybe against a level of talent that surprises him. He also knows that he’s above the law. He’s a bit of a dictator, who can do what he wants and get away with a slap on the wrist.
Bennett emphasized that Aerion’s goal isn’t fairness or honor, it’s to be feared and respected at any cost. The actor also noted that Aerion has no regard for his younger brother Egg, whom he dismisses as weak and embarrassing, further underscoring the prince’s deep sense of superiority.
Do you agree with Finn Bennett’s views on Aerion Targaryen? Share your thoughts with us.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is streaming on HBO Max.
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