Game of Thrones': Jerome Flynn Questions Bronn's Loyalty to Jaime 

'Game of Thrones': Jerome Flynn Questions Bronn's Loyalty to Jaime

The actor discusses the knight's motivations and why the Lannister men seem to love him.

by the side of his latest liege, Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), attempting to take over the castle at Riverrun, which is being held by Brynden "the Blackfish" Tully (Clive Russell). Attempts to parlay failed to yield results, and now they're faced with making good on their threat to lay siege to the castle. 

"I think they're serious. They're willing to go far," Jerome Flynn, who plays Bronn, tells

But adds, "I don't think they'll need to."

Fans can't help but hope that violence doesn't ensue since that would put Jaime in direct opposition to his former captor Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie). The two started out as enemies but eventually earned a begrudging respect for one another, and their friendship is one of the highlights in a show filled with betrayals and death.

Speaking of which, if battle commences, Jaime may not have the support he would need. "As much as [Bronn] may enjoy hanging with Jaime a bit, it's not because he loves him and wants to serve him," Flynn says. "I get the feeling that Bronn could find himself in battle and switch if he needed to. If the stakes were right or wrong, he could switch. He is looking after his own back."

Read on for more insight into Bronn's psyche and where Flynn thinks the character's loyalties lie.

When you were first approached to play Bronn, did you have any idea of what you were getting into? 

I had no idea at all. And I don't think, in all honesty, anyone could've had any idea what was going to happen to

. It's part of a revolution in long-form television, which hadn't been done before. No way. In fact, I was a bit worried because I don't think I was allowed to see the script ... Then I was worried that it might be a substandard, you know, rather cringe-y medieval thing with worrying costumes and dodgy accents. And of course, that wasn't the case. It's a job of a lifetime for any actor. I feel very lucky to still be there and still be alive, quite frankly. 

Bronn seems like a reluctant hero. Yet it's his own doing for volunteering to champion Tyrion (Peter Dinklage). Why did he do that?

I think he saw an opportunity. He thought in terms of who Tyrion is and the power and the wealth that he knew a Lannister must've had. But I think he also saw something in Tyrion that he also admired, being a dwarf in that culture and kind of a strength of character and a humor in Tyrion that he recognized in himself. I think he felt a kinship with him. At least that's the way we've played it and I've played it. There's a fondness for him as well as an opportunity, but it's not enough. He still will look after his own back when it comes to the crunch. That's why he refused when he's asked to ultimately put his life on the line fighting the Mountain when he's pretty sure he's not going to make it. He's not that fond of him, but I think it was wise, and I think Tyrion quite respected him for that.

How is Bronn doing after almost being poisoned to death last season? 

I think what's lingering possibly is the memory of the rather lovely Sand girl who administered the poison more than anything. I think she had quite an effect on him. Even after the poisoning event, he was pretty keen for her to come back to King's Landing and get something going with him. So I think that's the main lingering feeling. I think it actually gave him more respect for her. 

He's drawn to that sort of dangerous woman but he tells Jaime that he wants a more sedate life of a wife, home and kids. Do you think he knows what will make him happy?

I don't think he does necessarily know. I think he's got an idea of what he wants, and yeah, he's going along with the strong belief that Jaime is going to provide him with an even better version of what he was about to step into. A beautiful wife and a bigger castle is on the table, and a bit more adventure. So he's pretty sure he wants to have that castle and some sons that he can boss around and have the father role with. 

What qualities about Bronn make him so in-demand with the Lannister brothers? Is it only his fighting skills? 

I think they both quite like him, you know? He's funny and manages to bring some lightness to the situation and doesn't take things too seriously. And he is not a fool. They have respect for him because he doesn't take shit from them. 

Bronn may run into Pod (Daniel Portman) again since he's Brienne's squire. Is Pod someone that Bronn remembers fondly?

Definitely. I think the days of when it was him and Tyrion and Pod, that they fulfilled, I think, in that friendship and brotherhood way that Bronn probably had not really experienced before. I think for him, he's got very happy memories of those days because he's fond of those two. They were a good threesome. So most definitely, he would be wanting to make a connection with Pod again.

Jaime has said that he'd kill Tyrion if he saw him again. Would Bronn be able to make peace between the two brothers?

I suppose it's within him and his powers of persuasion and the way he thinks to be able to possibly be an intermediary in some way. Who knows what's going to happen down the line. I'm excited to see what's actually going to happen. Everybody's heading for each other, aren't they? Which is a wonderful kind of thing about the show; it's incredible build-up to so many encounters. That's what it's all leading to, so God knows what's going to happen by the time those two meet, and who will be on which side. But it's going to be — I think it would be very interesting if Bronn stayed as Jaime's right-hand man, what would he do if he comes up against Tyrion, which he might well do in battle. Just to think, "Oh, that would be really interesting if they do something with that. Could he actually switch?" I think it's the sort of thing he'd do. I think he's more in his heart with Tyrion. It's going to be a very interesting situation in terms of talking and getting them back together again, I don't think he'll get the opportunity. I get the feeling.

airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO. Stay tuned to THR.com/GameOfThrones for full coverage.

Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.

Broadcast TV Scorecard: Complete Guide to What's New, Renewed and Canceled

TV Pilots 2016: The Complete Guide to What Lives, Dies and Still Has a Pulse