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Game of Thrones’ Nathalie Emmanuel claims show ‘could have done better’ with diversity and warns TV bosses to ‘heed criticism’

GAME of Thrones' Nathalie Emmanuel has said the backlash against the HBO show's lack of diversity is "fair" and TV bosses should "heed criticism.

The actress, 30, who plays translator and adviser Missandei in the show, said the showrunners "could have done better" with picking a more diverse cast.

 Nathalie Emmanuel and Jacob Anderson (who played Grey Worm)
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Nathalie Emmanuel and Jacob Anderson (who played Grey Worm)Credit: HBO

Though she concedes that the people of colour they did have in the cast were looked after.

"They really gave the characters of colour they did have some great stories and scenes to play," the actress told the .

"In the books, my character isn't really prominent."

She adds: "I felt really supported and looked after in that respect. But I think it's important to note that they could have done better there.

 The star has warned TV bosses to listen to criticism
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The star has warned TV bosses to listen to criticismCredit: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
 She played a former slave liberated by Daenerys Targaryen
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She played a former slave liberated by Daenerys TargaryenCredit: HBO

"Hopefully that criticism will be heeded for future shows of that magnitude. That's only a positive thing, so I'm excited to see what those conversations have started."

Star Wars actor John Boyega previously slammed the fantasy series, saying it has "no black people".

"There are no black people in Game of Thrones. You don't see one black person in Lord of the Rings. I ain't paying money to always see one type of person on-screen," he told .

"You see different people from different backgrounds, different cultures, every day. Even if you are racist, you have to live with that. We can ruffle up some feathers."

 Much of the criticism is targeted at showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss
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Much of the criticism is targeted at showrunners David Benioff and D.B. WeissCredit: ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images

Meanwhile, director of some of the show's most popular episodes - Neil Marshall - said admitted the ending of the show was "rushed".

He exclusively told The Sun Online: "Ultimately all the characters ended up where they were meant to be, but I think some of them got there in a bit fo a rush.

"I agree that it was a bit of a rush. It felt like things weren't set up well enough. But they all ended up where they were meant to be, though, I got that."


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