'Game of Thrones' star Pilou Asbæk responds to Season 8 criticism

He's sticking up for Dan and David.
 By 
Sam Haysom
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Warning: Contains spoilers for Game of Thrones Season 8, episode 5.

Not everybody is loving the final Game of Thrones Season.

Despite the show having a solid 91 percent rating overall on Rotten Tomatoes, the current season is only rated 73 percent. And the Season 8 audience score is a not-so-good-at-all 44percent.

Obviously it was always going to be tricky to please everyone, and it's worth noting that not all fans feel the same way -- there have been plenty of Reddit threads praising the most recent episode, for instance. But still -- the anger from some corners is undeniable.

In a interview with Insider, Pilou Asbæk (aka the recently deceased Euron Greyjoy) addressed it directly.

"I'm rooting for Dan and David," Asbæk said, referring to showrunners Dan Weiss and David Benioff. "For them to be happy with what they have created."

He went on to say that he thinks, ultimately, they will be happy.

"I think it will stand the test of time."

"Because right now, people are very angry," Asbæk said. "Some people are very angry and some people are very happy. I think, guys, just ... please. Everyone has done the best work they could, under the circumstances they could, and I think it will stand the test of time."

"Honestly, I swear to God I think that. So I hope Dan and David are going to end up on the throne."

It's a sweet response, but it's worth noting that Asbæk also admits in that interview that he hasn't watched the show since he got a part in it -- so he can only really judge its merits from an insider's perspective.

At this point it feels like the show will stand the test of time regardless. It's already broken ratings records and been hugely successful.

But, whether or not it'll end on a high note is a whole other question.

Mashable Image
Sam Haysom

Sam Haysom is the Deputy UK Editor for Mashable. He covers entertainment and online culture, and writes horror fiction in his spare time.

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You
Ring and Flock Safety cancel partnership amidst surveillance criticism
A Ring Outdoor Cam Pro camera during a media preview at Amazon's headquarters in Seattle, Washington, US, on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025.


A 'Game of Thrones' movie about Aegon the Conqueror is in development at Warner Bros.
Emma D'Arcy in "House of the Dragon."

'The Pitt' Season 2: Everything you need to remember from Season 1
The cast of "The Pitt" looks concerned.

MLB 2026 streaming guide: How to watch every baseball game this season
wide shot of dodgers stadium baseball field

More in Entertainment

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

Google launches Gemma 4, a new open-source model: How to try it
Google Gemma


NYT Strands hints, answers for April 3, 2026
A game being played on a smartphone.
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!