Killing TV Darlings: Actors Face Public Ire

Actors who portray characters responsible for the deaths of beloved TV figures often face significant public scrutiny and even wrath. Michael McElhatton, who played Roose Bolton and delivered the infamous "The Lannisters send their regards" in Game of Thrones, described the overwhelming impact of the Red Wedding episode, noting how viewers reacted with shock and sometimes even backward glances.

Steven Van Zandt, as Silvio Dante in The Sopranos, found killing Adriana La Cerva to be one of his most challenging scenes. He discussed the difficulty of portraying violence towards women, even in a fictional context, and how his on-screen actions sometimes elicited inappropriate reactions from the public.

Other actors, like Art Campion (Blue Lights), Tom Weston-Jones (Spooks), and Philippe Spall (Wolf Hall), echo these sentiments. They recount the intense audience reactions, the emotional weight of their roles, and the lasting impression these 'villainous' acts leave on viewers, ultimately highlighting the power of impactful storytelling.