as Varys
Character Overview: Lord Varys, called “the Spider,” is the enigmatic Master of Whisperers, or spymaster, for the Iron Throne of Westeros. A bald, fat eunuch of stylish dress, he usually affects a fawning, effeminate personality to hide his true feelings and motives. In keeping with this act, he often refers to spies as his “little birds”. Many nobles he associates with find him distasteful and untrustworthy. He is a master of disguise, and knows many secret passages within the Red Keep. – Wikipedia
Recent Events: Varys serves on the small council of the Iron Throne largely due to his mastery in obtaining information. He attempts to persuade Ned to rein in Ned’s friend, King Robert Baratheon, saying he will only bring ruin to the realm. Varys is open about his desire to serve the realm above all, and hoped that Ned would not follow the previous Hand of the King, Jon Arryn, down the Lannister incest rabbit-hole. Unfortunately, Varys’s efforts to stop the civil war between the Starks and the Lannisters are fruitless; Ned is beheaded by Joffrey, defying his mother’s wishes, and Robb Stark rallies the North to war in response. In secret, Varys is connected to Illyrio Mopatis of Pentos, who shepherded the last living Targaryen children from Robert’s armies towards the end of the rebellion that de-throned the Mad King Aerys Targaryen. They are plotting to place a Targaryen back on the Iron Throne, though the rift between the Starks and the Lannisters throws their plans into chaos. (In small council, of course, Varys has to support, or at least not speak out against, Robert’s plan to send an assassin after the rising khaleesi Daenerys Targaryen.)
Varys is quick to discover Shae, the prostitute who accompanies Tyrion from Tywin Lannister’s camp; he helps Tyrion hide Shae by using his extensive knowledge of the secret passageways of the city and of the Red Keep. Varys also assists Tyrion in maintaining the realm, particularly in preparing the city’s defenses in advance of Stannis Baratheon’s attack on Blackwater Bay. Afterwards, he is the one who informs Tyrion that the credit for the victory is being given to his father. Varys also hints at a betrayal that resulted in Tyrion’s facial wound.
Around this time, Varys also recruits Ros to spy on Littlefinger for him. This proves useful almost immediately, as marriage plans are made in order to consolidate the Lannisters’ hold over the Seven Kingdoms. Varys assists Olenna Tyrell in her dealings with Tywin; eventually, a deal is made for Sansa Stark to marry Tyrion Lannister, while Cersei is to marry Loras Tyrell and Joffrey will marry Margaery. Varys also discovers Littlefinger’s plans to smuggle Sansa Stark out of the capitol; however, this proves fatal for Ros, as Littlefinger discovers she has been spying on him and gives her to Joffrey, who murders her.
Varys remains firmly rooted in his role as the master of spies and information during the events of the Red Wedding, Joffrey’s fateful wedding to Margaery Tyrell in which he is poisoned and killed, and the subsequent trial of Tyrion Lannister. In the latter case, he testifies against Tyrion in order to preserve himself, though he hints to Tyrion that he regrets having to do so. Varys then helps Jaime Lannister free Tyrion. Varys and Tyrion have now left King’s Landing and are bound for parts unknown.
Actor Bio: Born in Northern Ireland, in County Antrim, Conleth Hill has done his share of televison and film (you may have seen him recently in Woody Allen’s Whatever Works with Larry David), but is probably best known for his work in the theatre, which ranges from serious drama to musical comedy, and everything in between, including roles in The Producers, Little Shop of Horrors, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Waiting for Godot, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. He’s appeared on stages in Belfast, Dublin, Edinburgh, London, Toronto, and on Broadway, where he was nominated for a Tony Award for best actor. Hill has also twice been awarded the Laurence Olivier Theatre Award, once for best actor, once for best supporting actor. – GRRM
In 2014, he appeared in the sports drama Shooting For Socrates (alongside fellow Thrones castmate Art Parkinson) and the dark comedy Two Down. –IMDb
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