Game Of Thrones Cast Members React To Diana Rigg's Death
If the world of Game of Thrones was a proverbial snakepit, then Lady Olenna Tyrell was a viper among garter snakes. The same could be said for Diana Rigg, the iconic theater, film, and television actress who brought the Queen of Thorns to life on HBO's fantasy series. Rigg passed away on September 10 at the age of 82, and her Game of Thrones co-stars have taken to social media to pay tribute to the Tony, Emmy, and BAFTA Award-winning actress.
The official Game of Thrones Twitter account sent out a simple but powerful eulogy: "Be a dragon. The realm will always remember Diana Rigg." The statement is a reference to one of Lady Olenna's most memorable scenes on the show, in which the elder stateswoman encourages Daenerys Targaryen to not be a sheep like the men of Westeros, and instead to "be a dragon."
But Lady Olenna's final moments on the series — wherein she drinks a cup of poison before confessing to Jaime Lannister that she murdered his son — are perhaps her most iconic. Her scene partner, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, took to his personal Instagram to say, "Dame Diana Rigg. She always raised the bar with her incredible talent, intelligence and wit. An absolute joy and honor to work with. May her soul Rest In Peace."
Coster-Waldau was joined by many other Game of Thrones cast members in paying their respects to their dearly departed co-star.
What Diana Rigg's Game of Thrones co-stars had to say about her legacy
Game of Thrones actors from across Westeros spoke lovingly of Rigg following the news of her passing. Nathalie Emmanuel, who played Daenerys' right-hand woman Missandei, tweeted, "An icon and powerhouse left this world today... Rest in Peace Diana Rigg."
John Bradley, who played fan-favorite character Samwell Tarly, honored the late star by re-stating the obvious on Twitter: "Diana Rigg was just wonderful. But you all knew that already. Everybody did. Very sad news." His sentiments were echoed by Liam Cunningham, a.k.a. Davos Seaworth, who remarked, "Rest in peace. A remarkable wonderful and enormously talented human being."
The feelings of many Game of Thrones fans were summed up by Pedro Pascal, who memorably played the Dornish prince Oberyn Martell in season 4 of the show. He shared an image of Rigg on Instagram with the caption, "The true queen of Westeros."
Rigg's co-stars on Game of Thrones weren't the only people sharing their sentiments on social media. Other people who had collaborated with the late actress also paid their respects.
Many of Rigg's collaborators from over the years paid their respects
Rigg's final film role is in the upcoming horror film Last Night in Soho. The director and co-writer of that movie, Edgar Wright of Shaun of the Dead and Baby Driver fame, reflected on the honor of working with Rigg in a tweet: "What to say about Diana Rigg? I could talk about her incredible career, but for now I'll just say as a lifelong fan, it was beyond a thrill to work with her on her final film. She exceeded all my highest expectations, so blazingly talented, fiery & funny. Miss you already Dame D."
Another forthcoming Rigg performance is on the BBC miniseries Black Narcissus, based on the classic novel of the same name. One of her co-stars in that production, Alessandro Nivola, tweeted, "Lucky to have worked with the talented, clever, beautiful, mischievous [Diana Rigg] in one of her final performances. RIP."
Another collaborator of Rigg's, the writer and actor Mark Gatiss (who also had a small role in Game of Thrones), reflected on working with such a singular talent: "It was my great joy and privilege to have known Diana Rigg. From three slightly hysterical months at the Old Vic in All About Mother to writing The Crimson Horror for Diana and her wonderful daughter Rachael. Flinty, fearless, fabulous. There will never be another. RIP"
Actors and writers from across the entertainment world honored Diana Rigg
Before her later work on Game of Thrones, Rigg was known for starring on the British spy drama The Avengers and portraying Contessa Teresa di Vicenzo in the James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service, the only woman to get 007 to walk down the aisle. Her long career has earned her many admirers from across the showbusiness world. One is Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. star Ming-Na Wen, who tweeted, "Diana Rigg was one of the original badass women of television who remained badass as [Olenna Tyrell]. Thank you for paving the way." Oscar winner Viola Davis also offered a short and sincere statement: "RIP Diana Rigg. It's always hard when greatness exits this world. Rest well."
Star Trek icon George Takei declared on Twitter, "The screen and stage has lost a giant, Dame Diana Rigg, at age 82." He went on to add, "It was too soon for you to leave us, but we are grateful for decades of your art, from Medea to Bond, to more recently GoT and Avengers. Rest among the heroes now, Dame Rigg."
Entertainment journalist Mark Harris shared a recent memory of meeting Rigg, who was known for her unshakable humor and wit. He tweeted, "2 years ago I sat next to Diana Rigg at a Tonys party. She was in My Fair Lady—at 80. She told me it was a great role because she could get tons of reading done btw scenes. Then she gave me her phone and said, 'Find Uber on this and get me the hell out of here.' RIP to a great."
It's a testament to her talent and spirit that people from all over the entertainment industry have lined up to pay their respects to the late, great Diana Rigg.