Gold……‘Literally!’

So…. I turned up at Warner Studios yesterday looking forward to being dressed in armour only to be told that I was no longer playing the guard. My heart sank. I looked around at the glorious sets of armour wondering if I was to be now demoted to a peasant or third dead person on left. ‘No you’re not playing a guard, you are now a gold cloak!’ To those that know the Game of Thrones world, being a gold cloak is a major deal! Personal bodyguard to the Targaryens you are considered to be the best of the best! Jaime Lannister was one such man, although disgracing himself by murdering the man he was sworn to protect!

I was shown into a small tented part of the costume department and duly stripped off. I saw soft leather boots and a sword belt on the floor and started to get excited! I first put on a black long sleeve top and trousers. I then struggled to get the soft leather boots on but finally managed after stretching them a bit. Then came a cotton hood as well as a chain mail skirt. Next came the plated mail. Now the armour proper….two men helped me into the back and breast plates as well as the upper arms. I was pushed pulled and hoiked into it! Next was the shin armour or grieves and then long leather gloves and lower arm guards. Then the neck armour and finally the helm as well as a double sword belt. Oh a gold cloak was placed over my left shoulder as well of course.They then took a photograph and I asked to look at it….. Fuck I look good!! I was then escorted over to make up. The guy took one look at me and exclaimed ‘Don’t change a thing darling!’ More photos of my face and then back to be helped out of the armour. It took 2 men 30 minutes to dress me and this is going to happen 5 days in a row end of September. The armour is heavy and hot. We are being filmed in a green screen studio so there will hopefully be air con and plenty of ice packs for the back of the neck. I only saw 4 sets of gold cloak armour so hopefully it’s a pretty exclusive part to play. Fingers crossed I’ll get to be in lots of scenes!!

Next week sees me back in the set of The Nevers. Being a huge fan of this and GOT has sent my nerd metre into overload! I keep thinking something bad should happen to balance out the scales. Even after all I’ve been through and knowing what I know now, I still feel the need to sabotage myself. Being this happy is not a natural state for me. I have to work at it and just let it all wash over me and just happen. I’m now more optimistic than ever. Whilst I have given up on some dreams ( see The Ring!) there are new horizons ahead. I’ve booked myself into a stage and film fight school. This will allow me to take part in more action sequences. Not quite a stunt man but the daily rate for special action or SPACT actors is £250!

No photos from GOT as they are very strict! Anyway, watch this space and if you want to see me as Sgt Grant of the Metropolitan Police then come along to the Epping and Ongar railway this Sunday. The Paw Patrol will also be there for the younger kiddies!!