Game Of Thrones' Jerome Flynn Wanted Bronn And Tyrion's Friendship To Be Explored More In Season 8
In a show about betrayal, lies, and war, one unlikely friendship manages to outlast most on "Game of Thrones" – Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) and Bronn (Jerome Flynn). Despite one hailing from the richest family in Westeros and the other serving as a longtime sellsword, their partnership spans much of the series.
The two first cross paths when Catelyn Stark (Michelle Fairley) takes Tyrion prisoner for attempting to have her son Bran (Isaac Hempstead Wright) killed. To prove his innocence, Tyrion calls for a trial by combat, which sees Bronn step up to fight for him and win against the champion of Lysa Arryn (Kate Dickie).
From here, the two are rather inseparable as they survive numerous battles and deadly encounters. Bronn is also the one who finds prostitute Shae (Sibel Kekilli), whom Tyrion quickly falls for. However, with each passing season, it's clear that Bronn wants more out of life than protecting Tyrion. Similar to Lord Varys (Conleth Hill), he works his way up the ladder, advancing to Commander of the City Watch of King's Landing, knight, Lord of Highgarden, and, eventually, Master of Coin.
Despite his character's career growth (and Bronn finally getting his castle), Flynn wished his longtime on-screen friendship with Tyrion was explored more in the contentious eighth and final season.
Jerome Flynn wanted Bronn to be heroic and less out for himself
In "Game of Thrones" Season 8, Bronn thinks he's in a good place. Not only does he release an arrow that connects with Daenerys Targaryen's (Emilia Clarke) beloved Drogon, but he's also getting lavish offers from multiple Lannisters. While Cersei (Lena Headey) promises him Riverrun if he kills Tyrion and Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), Tyrion makes a counteroffer of Highgarden, which Bronn accepts.
Though this is a major step forward for Bronn, the actor behind the former sellsword wished to see his character form a tighter bond with Tyrion rather than continue to look out for himself. He said in an interview with Watchers on the Wall, "I think I wanted him to be more heroic. But that was my personal thing. I thought it was an opportunity for Bronn to suddenly turn up next and save Tyrion's life fighting the White Walkers. But then, if I'd been the writer then the whole story probably would have gone completely differently." Though their bond was a fan-favorite, we never got to see a reunion.
According to "Game of Thrones" author George R.R. Martin, Bronn's story almost didn't exist at all. When writing the trial by combat scene at the Vale, there were two sellswords available to fight for Tyrion. Martin revealed in an interview with The Wheeler Centre, "It was almost flipping a coin which one died and which one stepped forward, and Bronn was the one who stepped forward."
Martin also wasn't sure whether or not Tyrion would keep Bronn around or discard him after leaving the Vale. But as Martin developed the character, finally giving Tyrion someone to bounce his wit and sarcasm off of, it became clear that Bronn was meant to continue on in the world of Westeros.