Rory McCann on The Hound, too much ale, and two killers riding off into the sunset

Without a doubt, The Hound started off Season 4 with a bang. Working his way into our hearts with some of the best one liners the show has seen, and serving up brutality to those most deserving. Rory McCann tells Rolling Stone, that he was definitely feeling the love from the crowd at Season 4’s New York Premiere.

“That reaction! You’re wondering if the comedy worked, or the tension, but then you could feel the crowd respond. Bear in mind, this is made for people watching it in their living rooms, but there was a packed-out cinema; they were howling and shouting and screaming. Some of the lines they’ve given the Hound this year are incredible.”

Rory is surely happy to know that all of his hard work has payed off. And it was hard. Drinking countless liters of ale on command can be more than a little taxing, on Rory and the new set assistant alike.

“When I had to drink in that tavern scene, that’s David and Dan going “Give him another beer! Fill it right up to the top! Can you down another?” I was really fit at the time, wasn’t drinking, working out, there was definitely no sugar in my body — and suddenly I had six or seven liters of flat ginger beer that day. I had to go off into the woods to make myself sick. They had this new helper, I didn’t know who he was, and they told him ‘We’ve lost the Hound! We’ve lost the Hound!’  I’m on my hands and knees with my fingers down my throat trying to get this bloody soda out of me. He came up like, ‘Are you — ‘  [growls] ‘FUCK OFF!’ [Laughs] He ran away into the woods. [high-pitched, scared helper voice] ‘He told me to fuck off!'”

Rory also reveals that it’s easier getting into character than you might think.

“I’m the first guy on set because of this fucking make-up. So I’m getting done for three hours, then I’m getting my breakfast, and I’ve been up for six hours before there’s even a suggestion of getting on set. I end up this big fucking grumpy bastard most of the time. ‘Kill that guy? Sure.’ [Laughs] It’s very easy to be the Hound.”

And if you’re wondering what the script said for the very last scene, as Arya and The Hound ride away with smirks intact:

“The script just said ‘Two killers ride off into the sunset.’ Yeah!”

For more of Rory’s interview visit Rolling Stone.

• Published on 04/10/2014 at 7:55 PM CDT
• Last updated on 10/21/2016 at 12:42 PM CDT