Game of Thrones star Nathalie Emmanuel defends show's writers after backlash from fans

Writers David Benioff and DB Weiss are 'legends', says Emmanuel

Warning: the story below contains spoilers for Game of Thrones‘ eighth season.

Game of Thrones star Nathalie Emmanuel has responded to criticism over the show’s eighth and final season, insisting the drama’s writers are “legends”.

Emmanuel played Missandei in the series. Her character’s death was one of the points of contention in season eight and prompted some viewers to criticise the show’s treatment of characters of colour.

Season eight as a whole generated disappointment among many fans, to the point that a petition was created urging HBO to remake it entirely with different writers. It has received more than 1.6 million signatures.

Emmanuel, however, defended the show’s team, including co-creators David Benioff and DB Weiss.

“In light of the reaction to the end of the season, which, by the way, I think most people I know enjoyed it – I think it’s easy to focus on the negative, and I think people forget what those two did,” Emmanuel told Entertainment Weekly of the duo.

“And obviously the whole writing team and everyone responsible and involved, but I think people forget that... they literally made us hang onto their every word for 10 years.

“And to me, that makes them legends.”

Game of Thrones‘s eighth and final season wrapped up in May this year.

A prequel starring Naomi Watts is in the works at HBO.