Game's Not Over

After eight seasons playing sexy swordsman Jaime Lannister on Game of Thrones, Danish actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is reflecting on his Emmywinning role and flexing his humanitarian muscles.

INTERVIEW BY { RACHEL MADISON HILL EDITED BY { BONNIE DAVIDSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY { JOHN RUSSO STYLING BY { JUSTIN LYNN GROOMING BY { BEN THIGPEN WITH STATEMENTARTISTS USING IS CLINICAL AND ORIBE

Armor-clad and dangerous in HBO’s megahit original series Game of Thrones, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau killed the “Mad King” Aerys Targaryen, lost the hand he fenced with and reached international fame as incestuous warrior Jaime Lannister. Now that the show’s final season has wrapped, the hunk from Rudkøbing, Denmark, is making his magnificent presence known as the global spokesperson for L’Oréal Paris’ Men Expert line of skincare products. He’s also using his platform to support humanitarian efforts. As a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme, he’s raising awareness of the organization’s global goals to end poverty, fight inequality and stop climate change, and advocating for wildlife conservation and animal welfare. Coster-Waldau—who lives with his wife Nukaaka and their two daughters in a suburb of Copenhagen— would like to thank the legion of fanatic Game of Thrones watchers for their years of loyalty. Just don’t ask him what happens in the last episode.

How did you land the role of Jaime Lannister on Game of Thrones?

That was 10 years ago. I met with the two creators. They had seensomething that I was in and they considered me for the role. Then I did ascene a couple of weeks later and that was it.

How did you prepare for the role, particularly all that sword wielding?

That’s just a physical regimen. You do a lot of work with the stunts teamand the swords master. At the time, I had done sword training before, so itwasn’t all new to me. That’s the least of it. The real work, the most difficultpart, is about developing the character. Getting to grips with who he is, whyhe acts the way he acts. The physical part I just think is fun. I really enjoy it.

Do you have a workout regimen?

Not regimen. I try to keep fit. I just did [another role] where I had to be prettyslobby looking, and so I did not work out, but that’s just another thing youhave to do for a role. And sometimes you just don’t feel like going to thegym, but you have to get rid of the guilt. But then again, I am pretty goodabout going the next day. Also, I enjoy being active, such as being outdoors.

Did you have any idea that Game of Thrones would be such a huge success?

No, no, I don’t think anyone saw that coming. I think at best we wouldfind an audience and hopefully live a few seasons, but we never saw thiscoming. Because back then it was a show that featured supernatural things,dragons and weird stuff happening. No show before that had any kind ofmass success, no television show, on this type of level. So I think everyoneknew there was an audience there, but then it went on to cross over.Everyone fell in love with it. It is just such a wonderful surprise.

How does it feel to see your face everywhere—on figurines, T-shirts, Funko Pop figures? Kind of surreal?

Yeah, yeah. In my basement I have a few and I gave one to my mom. Shethought it was hilarious. Yeah, it is pretty surreal.

How did production keep such a tight lid on the way the show ends?

It’s taken on a whole different level of security, and the extent they went tokeep people out. From drones to the scripts, [which we read] electronically;once we were done, they self-destructed, vanished. You couldn’t print it.And on the call sheets no one had their real names, they were all codenames. It was ridiculous. But at the same time, people wanted to, for somereason, find out and get the scoop about what happens next. Even if I toldyou exactly what happens, people wouldn’t believe or they’d go, “Yeah, it’sjust made up,” because there are so many theories out there. A few of themhit the mark, but I can’t tell you which ones.

Did the elaborate costumes help to define your character?

They were very important because that’s what you see. You see someonewearing armor. It’s an aggressive look, it’s a warrior look. And in other sceneswhen I was a captive, it also informed the character on how he feels andwhat he’s doing. She [Emmy-winning costume designer Michele Clapton] isvery talented. The attention to detail is mind-boggling. When you look at thescale of things, everything is made original for the thousands of extras and,of course, cast. It’s all part of telling the story and she does it so well. Thearmory was a massive shop. They come up with all these ideas, historicaldrawings…and all this helps the actor tell the story of that character.

What about the armor?

The one I had was brass and it was crazy heavy. I had to havetwo people help me get it on.

And the false hand?

It’s basically like a metal glove, which they molded after my hand.

On the show, your attire is quite regal. In real life, how would you define your personal style?

Casual comfortable.

Do you have any favorite designers?

I really don’t. There are clothes I get to wear on the carpet fromgreat designers and they are so beautiful. But I don’t have onein particular. There are so many that are brilliant and I admirethe craftsmanship. I don’t spend too much time thinking about[fashion] when I am at home. I usually grab what’s on the top inthe drawer or pile of clean laundry and I put that on.

What is your personal grooming routine?

I don’t have many grooming habits. However, I do try and stayclean. I shower, wash my hair and the only thing I really do ismoisturize. That’s the secret, use good moisturizer. Oh, and keepyour nails clean.

Why did you get involved with the United Nations Development Programme?

They are so inspiring to me, what they do all over the world [in 170countries and territories]. They came to me and asked me for myhelp raising awareness. Of course I said yes to whatever I can doto bring attention to this cause.

What is The Lion’s Share Fund?

An Australian ad agency came up with idea. Basically, they doadvertising campaigns for huge companies and 25 percent ofthese campaigns feature animals. When these advertisers runcampaigns with humans or music, they have to pay a fee. But youdon’t have to pay an animal to be in the commercial; obviouslythey can’t ask for it. The idea is to give 0.5 percent of the adspend to The Lion’s Share Fund, then use this money to really tryto help endangered species, create habitats for these animalsand just really make a difference.

You’re in the upcoming crime/thriller Domino, directed by Brian de Palma. How was that experience?

It was a great experience working with Brian. He’s knowledgeableand he calls upon the history of cinema when he does a shot. Ireally admire the man and to come and do this crazy project inEurope was a wonderful surprise.

NIKOLAJ’S FAVORITES

Must-haves:

Family, futbol (soccer), bananas, movies and music

To-do list:

Clean the basement. We’ve lived in our house for 13 years and there are still boxes we haven’t gone through.

iTunes playlist:

Old Nirvana, Rhianna and, when I fall asleep, ocean sounds are so soothing.

Instagrammers:

My daughters

Karaoke song:

I karaoke’d once. Back then, I think it was “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.”