Game of Thrones star Nathalie Emmanuel had never expected the fan reaction her character's death got in the GRRM classic

Nathalie Emmanuel played Missandei in Game of Thrones. She joined the show in season 3 as a former slave who became one of Daenerys Targaryen’s closest advisers. Missandei appeared in many big moments over the seasons. But in the final season, her character was killed, and the reaction from fans was huge.

Speaking to Vogue in June 2021, Emmanuel said,

“When I learned that Missandei was going to die, I knew that, as the only woman of color on the show, I knew that people would feel her loss, like the loss of her, because she’s also just like a really kind, good character. I was not anticipating, I guess, the size of the reaction that happened.”

Her death didn’t just upset fans because of the storyline. For many people, Missandei represented diversity in the show. After Game of Thrones, Emmanuel went on to star in films like The Fast and the Furious series and The Maze Runner.

In interviews with The Daily Beast, Vogue, and Essence, she has spoken about her work, the importance of representation, and her career journey.

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Playing Missandei on Game of Thrones

Missandei first appeared when Daenerys freed an army of Unsullied soldiers in Astapor. She worked as a translator for the city’s rulers, but chose to follow Daenerys. Over time, she became a trusted adviser.

Emmanuel told The Daily Beast,

“Her role is expanding as adviser to Daenerys, and since she’s lost Ser Jorah, Missandei has become a much more important person to Dany as she’s figuring out how to be Queen of Meereen.” She also said Missandei “is now a free person with a voice.”

The show also explored a growing connection between Missandei and Grey Worm, the leader of the Unsullied. Emmanuel said it was:

“a very confusing one for the pair of them” because of their difficult pasts. “With these two characters, it’s something that can’t be rushed,” she explained.

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Reaction to Missandei’s death in Game of Thrones

Missandei’s death in season 8 of Game of Thrones was one of the most talked-about scenes in the final episodes. Emmanuel told Vogue she thought people would notice the loss, but did not expect such a big response.

“I was not anticipating, I guess, the size of the reaction that happened,” she said.

Many viewers pointed out that Missandei had been the only woman of color in the main cast. Emmanuel said this raised important questions for future shows:

“When we make these shows in the future, when we are casting these shows, like, do we just have to have the one person—is there space for more of us? And I think the answer is yes. And I know the answer is yes.”

Her words added to ongoing conversations about diversity in TV and film, both in the UK and in Hollywood.

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Career and views on representation

After Game of Thrones, Emmanuel took on other major roles. She joined The Fast and the Furious as Ramsey, a hacker introduced in Furious 7. She also played Harriet in Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials and its sequel.

Talking to The Daily Beast, Emmanuel praised the diversity in The Fast and the Furious.

“There’s a real mix of people that reflects how society is now,” she said. “For anyone who’s of mixed heritage or a minority, to be in a film where diversity is celebrated and isn’t treated as such a big deal, or isn’t even mentioned, is so refreshing.”

She spoke about the challenges of working in the British film and TV industry to Essence, saying:

“The British industry hasn’t always embraced us,” she said. “So many Black mixed people like myself have come out to America because the opportunities just weren’t here for us.”

Moving to the U.S. was a big step.

“I kind of just took a risk like I guess I’m going to try and I’m really really proud of that,” she said.

Emmanuel also said it means a lot when young fans tell her they feel inspired by seeing her on screen.

“It literally makes me want to cry because I was that little girl,” she told Essence.

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Missandei’s death became one of the most discussed moments in Game of Thrones, and it sparked a bigger conversation about diversity in TV.