Jaime Lannister's ending in Game of Thrones season 8 proved to be controversial among fans and critics, but what does the actor who plays him, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, think of it? Jaime had long been one of the most complex characters on the HBO show. Back in season 1 he was among Game of Thrones' villains: he pushed Bran Stark from a window, crippling him; duelled with Ned Stark; and he stabbed Jory Cassel through the eye without remorse.

Over time, though, Jaime became both more sympathetic and complicated. He rescued Brienne of Tarth and was the only Lannister to show any warmth to Tyrion Lannister; yet had an incestuous (if loving) relationship with Cersei Lannister, and fought for her (and against the more traditional heroes) throughout much of the show. The man known as the Kingslayer was believed to be on a path to redemption, which Game of Thrones season 8 was supposed to solidify - and it did, to an extent. Jaime turned his back on Cersei and fought with the rest of humanity against the White Walkers, playing a key role in the Battle of Winterfell.

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It was after that things soured in the eyes of some viewers. Jaime and Brienne slept together following the victory celebrations, but he then quickly left her behind to go back to Cersei, stating that he loved her and not Brienne. Jaime's words left Brienne in tears, and before long he was back with Cersei, dying in the arms of the woman he truly loved as the Red Keep crumbled around them, killing them both. Jaime's decision to sleep with and then leave Brienne for Cersei - leaving one of Game of Thrones' few truly good characters for one of its biggest villains - for reasons other than killing her, weren't in keeping with what was expected or desired, but it does fit with Jaime's character. Speaking in James Hibberd's book Fire Cannot Kill a Dragon: Game of Thrones and the Official Untold Story of the Epic Series, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau says:

"You wonder if he's changed and if he's escaped the destructive relationship. He's so bound by this code of honor of family first, and he and Cersei have a strong bond on every level. But he has to go back. She's all alone. He's the last one she has. He has to try to save her. It makes sense even though you don't want it to... It would have been wonderful if he and Brienne could have had a life together. But he says it himself as he's leaving: 'Have you ever walked away from a fight?' I have to do this. The things you do for love..."

Game of Thrones Cersei and Jaime Dead

It is a shame that Jaime and Brienne's story had to end in such a way, but keeping them together would've been doing something Game of Thrones rarely did: happy endings and giving people what they want. Of course, it was unlikely Brienne would accept Jaime's departure without him hurting her, which is why he had to be so particularly cruel. Jaime even said a secret line to Brienne that wasn't heard in the show: "I don't love you. No one loves you." That obviously isn't true, because Jaime clearly does love Brienne in some way, but it's what he has to say to convince her (and himself) of his decision. Jaime is a man who has been defined by breaking his honor; he inevitably feels bound to the honor of his family now, and by the deep love he feels for Cersei. It isn't only a case of "the things we do for love", but that you cannot choose the one you love, even if Jaime may wish otherwise.

Jaime's ending was also divisive, not least when the Game of Thrones series finale showed him and Cersei under little more than a few bricks, prompting more online mockery (although it's fair to say the combination of the Red Keep collapsing and lack of air would be enough). This, too, Coster-Waldau defends as being the fitting ending for his character. He said: "I thought it was a great ending for that couple. She was never going to surrender. Bronn asked Jaime in season four: 'How would you want to end?' 'In the arms of the woman I love.' So it was foreshadowed, and it's what happened. There's at least a moment where they do connect: 'Just look at me, just look in my eyes, it's just you and me...' 

Many do expect that Jaime's ending will be with Cersei in George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire books too, but in a different way: that he will be the prophesied "valonqar" who will kill Cersei (a prophecy that notably wasn't included in Game of Thrones, though did still inform speculation). That could well be the case, but if Jaime's ending is more roughly the same in the novels as it is in the show, then that wouldn't be too much of a surprise either. While Jaime's story is one of redemption, it also not a straightforward one - his path doesn't go from A-B, but back-and-forth, circling around, failing and trying again. And as much as it's about redemption, it is also one of tragedy. Jaime's ending in Game of Thrones contains both: his actions at the Battle of Winterfell are not undone by his return to Cersei, as proved by Brienne writing Jaime's entry in the White Book of the Kingsguard at the end. The storyline certainly could've been handled better - not least with more time afforded to it - but Coster-Waldau is right when he says it was a good ending for Jaime and Cersei.

Next: Game Of Thrones’ Ending & Real Meaning Explained (In Detail)