Cara Harris is quickly becoming one of the newest young faces in the world of Westeros.
Harris plays the role of Lady Gwin Ashford in the popular HBO series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, the fantasy drama based on the Dunk and Egg novellas written by George R. R. Martin. The drama is set decades before the popular Game of Thrones series and takes place one century after the events of House of the Dragon. The drama takes place in the time of Westeros when dragons are no longer around, and the fate of the kingdom rests on the shoulders of the hedge knight.
In an interview on the popular podcast The Wayne Ayers Podcast, Cara explained how she was given the role, what it was like to enter the popular world of Westeros, and how fans have reacted to the dramatic storyline of Lady Gwin Ashford.
A Surreal Casting Moment
According to Cara, the moment she was told she had been given the role was not what one might expect.
“I had just gotten back from school, and I was opening this package of summer clothes. My mom came running into my room with the phone, saying, ‘Cara, get on the phone,'” the actress explained. “And I just burst into tears.”
According to the actress, the moment was surreal because she thought the drama’s producers had not chosen her for the role.
“It had been a couple of weeks since the audition. I’d let it go, thinking I didn’t get it. And then I found out I did. I was surprised,” the actress explained.
Unlike many actors in the franchise, Harris revealed that she hadn’t watched the previous shows before filming.
“‘I knew it was big because my mom and my grandma are huge fans,’ she said. ‘But I hadn’t watched it yet.'”
Since filming, however, she has been working her way through the Game of Thrones series and is now watching the early seasons.
The Scene She Was Most Excited to Film
One of the scenes that Harris found most memorable from filming Game of Thrones was the tourney scenes.
“I was really excited to see the jousting,” she said. “Watching the stuntmen on the horses and seeing everyone in character while I was in the stands was amazing.”
These scenes are a significant part of the overall Game of Thrones series and lead up to the brutal Trial of Seven, a historical battle in Westeros.
Seeing the Story Come Together
Harris revealed that the biggest surprise from watching Game of Thrones came from seeing how the overall show came together.
“When you’re shooting it, you don’t know what’s going to make it into the final cut,” she said. “Seeing everything come together was amazing, especially the scenes I wasn’t there for.”
Harris revealed that she found the overall build-up to the tournament to be particularly well done.
Working With the Cast
Harris revealed that she enjoyed working with the actor who portrayed Ser Duncan the Tall, a hedge knight in the series.
“He was amazing,” she says. “Sometimes we’d talk in the makeup chair, and he gave me advice on acting and on the uncertainty of the business.”
That advice, she said, focused on persistence.
“He told me if you love acting, just keep going and keep doing it for the love of it.”
A Birthday That Turned Tragic
In the series, Lady Gwin’s name-day celebration becomes the stage for escalating political tension and deadly conflict.
Harris believes the experience would permanently change the character.
“I think Gwin will probably celebrate a smaller birthday next year,” she said with a laugh. “I don’t think she’s going to do a huge tournament again.”
The actress also said that from Gwin’s perspective, much of the blame for the chaos falls on Prince Aerion Targaryen.
“This Targaryen ruined my birthday,” she joked.
Deleted Scenes and Behind-the-Scenes Moments
Harris revealed that two scenes she filmed ultimately did not appear in the final cut.
In one, Lady Gwin was meant to arrive dramatically on horseback during the night joust before curtsying to the crowd. The scene was cut despite Harris taking riding lessons for it.
Another deleted moment hinted at Gwin harboring a possible crush on Duncan.
“It was a line where she suggested that if they were ever to be wed, he should come back,” Harris said.
The Costume Piece She Wanted to Keep
Like many actors working on elaborate fantasy productions, Harris admitted there was one prop she wished she could have taken home.
“The crown,” she said immediately. “It was absolutely stunning.”
She recalled the moment the hair and makeup team placed the floral crown on her head.
“I just felt so pretty,” she said. “I wish I could have taken it home.”
A Warm Farewell on Set
Harris said her last day on set was emotional but also joyful.
“My last speaking scenes were also the final ones I filmed,” she said. “Everyone gave a little clap and thanked me for being there. It was really nice.”
Could Lady Gwin Return?
The actress was asked if fans would be able to see Lady Gwin Ashford again in upcoming seasons.
“I don’t know,” she said. “Fingers crossed perhaps someday in the far future.”
Choosing a Different House
Just like fans of Game of Thrones, Harris has her favorite noble houses in Westeros.
If she were to live in Westeros but not in House Ashford, Harris said she would choose to be in House Stark.
“I love Arya,” Harris said, referring to one of her favorite characters, Arya Stark. “I’d love to be running around with a knife.”
She would also love to have scenes with other characters, like Arya or Sansa Stark, if she were transported back in time to before her time on Game of Thrones.
A Possible Spin-Off Adventure
The actress was asked whether fans would be able to see her in her own spin-off series featuring her character, er Lady Gwin Ashford.
“I suppose it would be interesting if maybe she goes off on an adventure,” Harris said. “Maybe she meets Duncan and Egg again and finds her own story.”
Enjoying the Fan Reaction
For now, Harris said she has been enjoying all the online reactions to Game of Thrones.
“It’s amazing,” she said. “I’m loving reading everyone’s memes and reactions to the episodes. It’s really fun.”
As the fans continue to pick apart all the details of Westeros lore, Harris’s portrayal of Lady Gwyn Ashford has already secured a notable spot in the ever-expanding world created by Martin.
