CORRECTION 05/29/2018: The artwork of Ros that was mentioned during the panel is part of the “Beautiful Death” series by artist Robert M. Ball.
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The last time Game of Thrones fans saw Ros, she had met her unfortunate demise at the hands of evil King Joffrey in season 3 when he had shot arrows at her. Luckily, Mischief Management was able to bring out Esmé Bianco as a guest for this year’s Con of Thrones. Esmé Bianco has been appearing at conventions for the past few years and when I learned she would be in Dallas last weekend, I couldn’t pass up the chance to go see her panel, moderated by senior culture reporter Kim Renfro of INSIDER.
Interviewing the incredible Esmé Bianco on the #ConOfThrones main stage in 15 minutes! pic.twitter.com/16kb2I3USS
— Kim Renfro (@kimrrenfro) May 26, 2018
We start with the beginning of Ros’s story. Her character was created specifically for the show. In fact, Ros did not have a name at all when Esmé first got the role. Ros was originally just a minor character named “The Red-headed Whore.” Esmé did such a fantastic job embracing the role of “The Red-headed Whore” that the showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss decided to keep her on, season by season. A Song Of Ice and Fire author George R.R. Martin was the one who insisted that they give Esmé’s character a name.
Ros was a character who was NOT in the book. @esmebianco says she was originally casted as "the red-headed whore" for 1 scene with Tyrion. #gameofthrones #ConOfThrones pic.twitter.com/B8NPLfkVxd
— Geek Gals @ #ConOfThrones (@geekgalsco) May 26, 2018
When taking questions from the audience, a fan asked Esmé, since the character was not in the books, if she received any direction. Esmé went on to explain that she truly embraced the comedic side of Ros.
"No one told me 'you're playing the fun-loving whore!'" @esmebianco answers a fan who asked if she got any direction on Ros #ConOfThrones #gameofthrones
— Geek Gals @ #ConOfThrones (@geekgalsco) May 26, 2018
“Who’s your favorite lover on the show?” Best question. Kudos to the fan who asked that. LOL.
Your favorite lover on the show?! @esmebianco responds "what kind of question is that?! I love all my lovers!" 🤣 #ConOfThrones #gameofthrones
— Geek Gals @ #ConOfThrones (@geekgalsco) May 26, 2018
When a fan asked about what she thought of Theon’s transformation throughout the show, Esmé said she was shocked that Alfie Allen still has not yet received an Emmy nomination for his incredible work as Theon and Reek. Cue applause. Hint, hint, Television Academy, are you getting this?
What's it like watching Theon's transformation? @esmebianco says Alfie Allen deserves an Emmy nomination for his work! We agree!! #ConOfThrones #gameofthrones pic.twitter.com/IqmwXkTbrB
— Geek Gals @ #ConOfThrones (@geekgalsco) May 26, 2018
Working with Alfie Allen, Esmé recalled a sex scene she did early on the show with Theon. She is super proud of that scene, and girl… we are super proud of you!
Was there a favorite scene you're proud of or most memorable? @esmebianco says a S1 sex scene w/ Alfie. "It was one of my first experiences on set where you felt like flying… I look back and say 'yeah, I did good!'" #ConOfThrones pic.twitter.com/hjsukfgLaC
— Geek Gals @ #ConOfThrones (@geekgalsco) May 26, 2018
Someone brought up a throwback selfie photo that Esmé posted on her Instagram back in February of Ros on the Iron Throne. Esmé was on set to shoot the scene where Lena Headey’s character Cersei had kidnapped Ros (mistakenly thinking Ros was Shae). She was in the room with the Iron Throne waiting and no one else was around so she sat down to take a quick selfie! #sneaky #yasssqueen
Fan brings up @esmebianco's recent #tbt selfie! She explains this was when Cersei had Ros kidnapped. She was in the throne room & took a quick selfie without anyone knowing! 🤣 #ConOfThrones #gameofthrones pic.twitter.com/PfrNVeUzPz
— Geek Gals @ #ConOfThrones (@geekgalsco) May 26, 2018
Someone brought up a piece of artwork–disclaimer: we aren’t sure who created this artwork–an artist had immortalized Ros’s death in a tasteful, silhouette fashion. Esmé admitted she had this very piece of art in her room!
A lovely artist created this artwork of Rod's death. @esmebianco says she's got this in her room lol #gameofthrones #ConOfThrones pic.twitter.com/W5X2bBHkC5
— Geek Gals @ #ConOfThrones (@geekgalsco) May 26, 2018
“If Ros was still alive today, what do you think she would be doing?” Esmé had a great answer.
"I think she would've wanted a normal life," @esmebianco says about Ros #gameofthrones #ConOfThrones
— Geek Gals @ #ConOfThrones (@geekgalsco) May 26, 2018
Featured image credit: ChinLin Pan/Geek Gals