Nikolaj Coster-Waldau Urges Fans to Let Go of ‘Game of Thrones’ Ending Frustration

Game of Thrones was one of the most popular shows of its time, earning awards and topping “best of” lists. But its final season, season eight, left many fans disappointed.

Fans criticized the writing, pacing, and character choices, saying the story felt rushed and inconsistent with the previous seven seasons.

Major plot points, such as Daenerys’ sudden turn to villainy and Bran being named king, left viewers frustrated and divided. Even the success of the prequel series, House of the Dragon, hasn’t softened the blow for some fans.

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, who played Jaime Lannister, has shared his thoughts on the backlash.

In an interview with The Independent, he admitted that the criticism was expected. “How are you ever gonna make an end that’s gonna satisfy everyone? That’s a very difficult thing. I absolutely think people are entitled to whatever opinion they have, but it’s a television show. Someone told you a story and you didn’t like the ending. It’s really annoying, but…”

Coster-Waldau’s comments show that he is tired of being asked about the controversial ending.

As an actor, he wasn’t responsible for the story decisions, but he had to navigate the reaction as the show came to a close. According to reports, he was paid over $1 million per episode in the final season, which may have made some of the criticism easier to accept.

Other cast members have also weighed in over the years. Peter Dinklage, who played Tyrion Lannister, said last year that he actually liked the finale.

He noted that if the show sparked conversations and reactions, that was part of the fun. While some fans remain frustrated, others have come to appreciate the ending in context or enjoy the discussions it created.

Despite the controversy, Coster-Waldau seems ready for fans to move on. The ending of Game of Thrones may never fully please everyone, but for actors like him, it is part of a long and successful run that defined their careers.

In my opinion, the backlash to Game of Thrones shows how much the series meant to people. Fans cared deeply about the characters and story, which is why the final season hit so hard. While it’s natural to be disappointed, it’s also worth appreciating the show’s overall impact on television. How do you feel about the ending? Did it ruin the series for you, or do you think it had some strong moments? Share your thoughts in the comments.