Sibel Kekilli, best known for her portrayal of Shae in Game of Thrones, opened up about her audition for the show and how the writers ultimately changed her character compared to George R.R. Martin’s book. The actress, who is of Turkish descent, is also an advocate of women’s rights.
Many fans are now aware of her former work as an adult film actress, but this was a major controversy in the past after a tabloid published her history shortly after she starred as lead for the movie Head-On.
Sibel Kekilli’s Shae From Game of Thrones Was Different From The Novel
Born in Germany to Turkish parents, actress Sibel Kekilli rose to global fame thanks to her role as Tyrion Lannister’s mistress in Game of Thrones. In the book, Shae was designed by author George R.R. Martin as a gold digger who used Tyrion’s power to advance her own station.
The show, however, decided to alter this and make her a more complex figure. She told Variety, “After my first audition, the writers changed Shae from how she is in the book.”
The series introduced her as a prostitute who only rendered service to Tyrion, but as time went by, she started showing signs that she cared for the nobleman. In the novel, when the famed imp Lannister declined in his power, she also lost interest in him.
Kekilli added that the writers of the show made her character a fighter. “She’s always trying to survive, be it using her body or her brain,” she remarked, and later revealed that she has a fondness for these types of roles.
Interestingly, she auditioned for the role because she was asked to by showrunners Dan Weiss and David Benioff. In her interview with Westeros.org, the 44-year-old star said they watched her in Head-On, and they wanted her to join the team.
The epic fantasy series was her first stint on an English-language show. After her audition in June 2010, they immediately got into filming. Kekilli initially had no expectations about her character, but when she survived the first season, she realized she wanted to be in it for a long time. “Oh, I don’t want to die! I want to be on it as long as I can!” she told herself.
Sibel Kekilli on Being a Feminist and Supporting Women’s Rights
After quitting her job as an adult star and experiencing numerous abuse and threats online, Kekilli used her fame and platform to raise awareness. In the same conversation with Variety, she admitted to taking it upon herself to defend women’s rights “especially within the Muslim culture.”
She shared how she suffered a lot from people bombarding her social media with messages containing s*xual harassment because of her past life, and Kekilli believed that if speaking out can save or change lives, then it is worth the risk.
The actress openly supports the non-profit organization Terre des Femmes, and in 2015, she delivered a powerful and moving speech on violence against women during International Women’s Day at the President of Germany’s residence.
Game of Thrones is currently available to watch on HBO.
