Michiel Huisman talks Daario Naharis, a very professional horse, and Season 4

In this week’s episode of Game of Thrones, Daario Naharis proved his worth as Champion of Daenerys Targaryen, while Michiel Huisman proved his worth to some viewers who were still wary of his recasting. In a new interview with The Daily Beast Michiel discusses his take on Daario Naharis, shooting Breaker of Chains, and what we can expect in Season 4.

Daario’s looks may have changed this season, but he can still put on quite a show. Michiel explains his take on the character:

“I see Daario as a tiger-like fighter; someone who’s not really in for the long fight, but a quick one. He’s showy, but his showy side comes from not having anything to lose. Up until meeting Dany, he didn’t have anything to live for, so he feels he might as well have a little fun. That’s also why he pees after killing the warrior from Meereen. It’s very showy, but it also comes from, “Whatever, let’s go have some fun.” Daario is a fun character in the Daenerys storyline because he pushes her a bit.”

Daario and Daenerys closed out Sunday’s episode, Breaker of Chains, outside the great walls of Meereen, which Michiel says weren’t quite there when they were filming.

“We shot it in an abandoned quarry just outside of Split in Croatia. Whenever you see the rock walls, those are the actual walls of the old quarry, and then the big walls of Meereen with the statues and all that stuff are all CGI, because we were just looking at rocks. The director would come up to us and say, “Imagine the biggest castle walls you’ve ever seen… and then double it!””

In front of those rocks we saw Daario single handedly take down a horse and Meereen’s Champion without getting his hands dirty, which Michiel reveals was made easier with a bit of CGI and the help of one very talented co-star.

“Obviously, I didn’t actually hit the horse with a knife and it was all CGI, but what the horse did do is fall over in front of me. I was completely blown away. This horse was such a pro…It would just throw himself onto a huge, soft mat covered in a bit of sand, and then it would get up right away. A total pro.”

Michiel was also very impressed with another co-star, Emilia Clarke, who he confirms he can’t wait to work with again for Season 5.

“It’s very inspiring. At the end of Episode 3, we did the stunt and then she goes right into addressing the people of Meereen and the intensity with which she did that was through the roof. She’s all-in and gives everything she’s got. I love that, and I can’t wait to go back for the next season and work more with her.”

But before we get ahead of ourselves, what can we expect from Daario Naharis in Season 4?

“I think it’s clear from the first three episodes that there is a tension between Dany and Daario that is building, and I think that Daario is not only mesmerized by Dany’s beauty, but also sees something in her that he’s never seen before—a certain heart that he hasn’t seen in any leader he’s fought for. He’ll do anything to get closer to her and it’ll be exciting to see where that goes.”

For more from Michiel’s interview, including how he was cast as Daario, and talk of his many other projects, visit The Daily Beast.

• Published on 04/23/2014 at 11:59 AM CDT
• Last updated on 10/21/2016 at 12:42 PM CDT