Liam Cunningham and Stephen Dillane, who played Lord Davos Seaworth and Stannis Baratheon in HBO’s Game of Thrones, respectively, make up arguably the most iconic yet subtle running joke in the live-action adaptation of the A Song of Ice and Fire novels. Unfortunately, by the end of the series, the latter would meet his untimely end while the former survived being on the losing side more times than his fingertip-less hands could bother counting to become Master of Ships in King Bran’s Small Council.
In between, Davos would go from serving as the Hand of Stannis Baratheon to being one of the principal advisors and trusted confidant of the King in the North, Jon Snow, who’s played by Kit Harrington.
Given the bond created between these two men, both in the show and in real-life, it appears that Cunningham doesn’t want it all to go to waste, lobbying for a role in the upcoming Game of Thrones spin-off that will pick up following the events of the mainline series.
In an interview with Den of Geek, the actor behind the Onion knight, recently revealed a hint of nostalgia and jest in his communications with the Eternals actor. “I did send [Kit] a text saying, ‘Better Call Davos,'” the amusement evident. But the sentiment was clear; if the circumstances (and the cheque) are right, the sea’s favorite smuggler might dock once more on our screens.
But does the sentiment translate to reality? Given Jon’s decision to leave the capital’s intrigues behind, it would indeed be interesting to conjecture how their paths might converge again.
While the Jon Snow spinoff remains in the mists of uncertainty, with HBO’s Head of Drama, Francesca Orsi, emphasizing its nascent stages, there’s an undeniable eagerness in the air. Not only from Cunningham but from a throng of Game of Thrones aficionados. Davos Seaworth’s potential return is just a fragment of the myriad possibilities this sequel could encompass.
Cunningham appears to have a firm belief in the series’ undying charm. “I think Game of Thrones is one of those things that after each decade, people are going to discover as if the previous decade had forgotten it,” he opined. The ebb and flow of its popularity can be likened to classics like Dracula, rediscovered and reinterpreted periodically.
Cunningham is no stranger to tales of haunting allure, with his upcoming venture, The Last Voyage of the Demeter, will transport Dracula across the ocean.
However, with all the clamor for a Snow sequel, House of the Dragon, the prequel to the original series, is the only one presently soaring the skies of HBO’s universe. Set photos and ongoing production for its second season indicate the franchise’s undying flame.
It’s a shame that this period is marked by circumstances beyond anyone’s control. The SAG-AFTRA strike is still going on, potentially impacting the Jon Snow spinoff’s trajectory. Several projects have been birthed from the Game of Thrones loins, with some seeing the light of day and others relegated to the archives.
If this keeps up, Jon Snow, the only spin-off currently planned to take place after the timeline of the controversial series, which actors such as Conleth Hill and Maisie Williams have spoken out against recently, might go the way of the dragons.
Still, with the prospect of diving back into Westeros and exploring uncharted territories of Jon Snow’s psyche, there’s an undying hope among fans. The ripples of excitement are felt not only by fans but by the stars who once called this universe home.
Only time will tell if Snow will ever see the light of the day, but if it does, we’re hoping that one of only two Westerosi to correct grammar in Game of Thrones will join the foray.
