Game of Thrones star James Cosmo jokes he ‘drew the short straw’ with lack of sex scenes

Actor has never had a love scene in 56-year career

James Cosmo has revealed he finds it amusing that he was given no sex scenes in HBO’s racy fantasy epic, Game of Thrones.

The actor played Mormont – the Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch, who had taken a vow of celibacy – in the first three series of the drama.

“In that show where everybody’s getting their kit off everywhere, I draw the short straw,” he joked in a new interview with The Guardian.  

He added: “You know what? In my whole career, which is now like 56 years or something, I have only had a romantic kiss with one woman, in His Dark Materials. I’ve never had a love scene.”  

The actor also revealed the unusual way he found out about his character’s death. Recounting how a friend of his decided to read all the original source material when Cosmo got the part, the star said of his pal: “He said, ‘Well, James, this has happened and that’s happened and you’re still alive, kid.’ I’d say, ‘Oh, good, good.’  

“Then one day he said, ‘James, they’re drinking beer out of your skull.’ So my death wasn’t exactly a surprise.”

Game of Thrones is infamous for its many sex scenes. In 2019, series star Emilia Clarke revealed in an interview that she felt pressured to film “a f*** ton of nudity”.

Cosmo can next be seen in The Bay season two, which airs on ITV on 13 January.