Gethin Anthony looks back on his gay 'Game Of Thrones' role

In a world of senseless killings, brutal torture and armies of the undead, the tender – albeit secret – relationship between King Renly Baratheon and Sir Loras Tyrell on Game of Thrones was an oasis of romance in a world filled with scheming, backstabbing and constant peril.

We caught up with Gethin Anthony, who played Renly in the show until (spoiler alert!) his murder at the hands of Melisandre (via a murderous shadow, of course) in Attitude’s October issue – available to download now and in shops now – and the 32-year-old reveals just how proud he is for bringing a little rainbow magic to the world of Westeros.

“Westeros is a very scary world, with all the politics and violence going on, so it was nice to play an affectionate gay couple within that world,” Gethin tells us.

“We were very passionate about it being a positive thing. I still hold on to that and I’m still very proud of it.”

Renly and Loras’s onscreen romance didn’t just bring a much needed dose of positivity to the show, however, and Gethin reveals the impact the pair’s relationship had on couples out in the real world.

“I got some lovely letters,” he says, recalling the response from the LGBT community. “One that sticks out was from a gentleman who was about to propose, or has perhaps just proposed, to his partner.

“He said some really nice things about seeing a gay relationship on television. Whenever people connect to things you’re involved with or a story you’re telling, it’s a lovely thing.”

Find out more about Gethin’s time in the show, including that shaving scene, as well as his latest sexually ambiguous role playing Charles Manson in NBC’s Aquarius, in the latest issue of Attitude, in shops now and available to download now from pocketmags.com/attitude.

Print copies are available to order from newsstand.co.uk.

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Also in Attitude’s October issue, alongside all your usual news, reviews, fitness & travel:

In a theatre special, we meet the young out and proud stars of the National Youth Theatre as the iconic drama group celebrates its 60th anniversary.
Former Game of Thrones star Gethin Anthony talks playing gay in Westeros and his new role as infamous – and sexually ambiguous – criminal Charles Manson.
Fear the Walking Dead‘s Colman Domingo tells us all about life playing one of the hit zombie series’ most electrifying gay characters.
We catch up with fabulous pop females AlunaGeorge and Rebecca Ferguson as they prepare to release new music.
Eurovision winner Jamala she reflects on life for Ukraine’s LGBT+ community as she looks ahead to next year’s competition.
Syrian refugee and LGBT+ activist Subhi Nahas shares his uplifting story of strength and strife in the fact of war and oppression.
As Black History Month gets underway, we examine the new generation of black LGBT+ role models inspiring today’s young people.
Iconic ’80s star and friend of Boy George Marilyn shares the lessons learnt from a life well-lived.
We chat to French actor Geoffrey Couët, one of the two stars of new romantic gay drama film Theo & Hugo.
Male model Oliver Cheshire talks us through his favourite trends for Autumn/Winter 2016.
We catch up with RuPaul’s Drag Race All Star Alyssa Edwards (and attempt to finally find out her secret) in new monthly feature ‘Big in a Wig’.#

Gethin Anthony looks back on his gay ‘Game Of Thrones’ role

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