‘Game of Thrones’ actor Kristian Nairn comes out as gay
By Nick Levine
Game of Thrones
actor Kristian Nairn has revealed he is gay.
The Irish actor, who plays Hodor on HBO’s hit fantasy series, spoke openly about his sexuality in an interview with a Game Of Thrones fan site.
Asked about his character’s popularity with the gay community, especially bears, Nairn replied: “Well, in all honesty, when you talk about ‘the gay community,’ you are talking about my community, haha. I am aware of it, yeah, and I think it’s really lovely. There’s not a day that I don’t get a few messages, but 99% or more are super sweet and nothing smutty at all! Again, it’s a privilege, and I really mean that.”
He continued: “I’ve never hidden my sexuality from anyone, my whole life in fact, and I’ve been waiting for someone to ask about it in an interview, ’cause it’s not something you just blurt out. I’ve tried to lead the questions a few times, to no avail!”
Later in the interview, 38-year-old Nairn added: “It’s a very small part of who I am on the whole, but nonetheless, in this day and age, it’s important to stand up and be counted. I have and always will stand my ground.”
He also said that the cast and crew of Game of Thrones have been “great… but I don’t why it would be an issue”.
As well as appearing as Hodor on Game of Thrones since 2011, Nairn has been seen on ITV’s Ripper Street, playing a character called Barnaby Silver. He is also well-known as a DJ in Belfast.