Game of Thrones season 6 director dishes on Brienne and Tormund’s nascent romance

'It’s cool because they’re two characters who are sort of expressly cut off from emotions'

(HBO)

In spite of all the murder and arson in the last episode of Game of Thrones season 6 - ‘Book of the Stranger’ - it was the hint of a romance between Brienne of Tarth and Tormund Giantsbane that got fans excited.

It didn’t go further than a glance, presumably saved for later episodes, but was undeniably there.

“Honestly, I’m surprised anyone even noticed,” episode director Dan Sackheim told Tech Insider. “I mean, it was meant to be a little grace note, and the fact that it’s blown up with the buzz it has on the internet and on the blogosphere is kind of shocking to me.”

It’s a somewhat unlikely romance (I keep saying romance, but maybe they’ll just bang and go their separate ways, this is Game of Thrones after all) given Brienne is a noble knight and heir of House Tarth and Torment is, well, a wildling.

“It’s cool because they’re two characters who are sort of expressly cut off from emotions,” he said.

“Certainly [Brienne] is. She’s not particularly forthcoming or feminine. She’s all about her charge, her duty, her responsibility, and you hardly ever get to see her as person.

“Tormund, you know, he’s a f*cking wildling! The notion of these two unlikely people coming together, I think it’s very cool.”

Fans were so distracted by the moment on Sunday however, that they may have missed a hint at a romance between two other key characters.