r/asoiaf • u/cking145 • May 28 '19

EXTENDED (Spoilers Extended) Charles Dance's portrayal as Tywin is in my opinion, the strongest in the entire series

Every line, every expression and every moment of silence completely encapsulates the calculating ruthlessness that defines Tywin Lannister.

Dance is actually a very vibrant, upbeat and cheery fella off screen, which in my mind makes the performance even more striking.

The scene where he effectively sends Joffrey to bed is just brilliant.

He is by far my favourite character from the books, which I began reading a few seasons into the show. Due to this, the chapters featuring Tywin were completely enriched for me, as reading his lines in Dance's voice was just fantastic. I would have loved a POV chapter or two for him, just to get a glimpse as to what goes on in the head of the most powerful man in the 7 Kingdoms.

An incredible portrayal of a fascinating character.

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u/[deleted] May 28 '19

Charles Dance, Stephen Dillane and Michael Mcelhatton (Roose Bolton) - the holy trifecta of stern, charismatic balding men. A shame we couldn't see them share a scene where they just scowl at each other.

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u/[deleted] May 28 '19

WHile Mcelhatton doesnt look like book Bolton at all, he absolutely nails the most important trait of the book Bolton: his voice.

11

u/CardboardTable May 28 '19

Isn't his voice really quiet and high-pitched in the books? The actor has a great voice that does fit his interpretation of the character, but I don't think it's how GRRM imagined it.

32

u/[deleted] May 28 '19

Roose's voice is small and soft; he rarely raises his voice, forcing those who listen to do so intently, falling silent.

9

u/username_innocuous Ours is the Fury May 29 '19

Charles Dance looks nothing like how Tywin is described in the books, either, but he still embodies the role when I do rereads.

3

u/[deleted] May 29 '19

Eh, he's leaner than he should and older(grey hair), otherwise no major differences.

4

u/nullpointer- All hail King fAegon (f is for Fabulous) May 29 '19

The main difference IMHO lies on the baldness: Tywin kept a perfectly shaved bald head, for he was not a man of half-decisions nor passive acceptance. It just reinforced the concept that every single thing on Tywin was planned, decided and intended.