Game of Thrones: Gwendoline Christie explains why she nominated herself for an Emmy

‘I had to do it as a testament to the character and what I feel she represents,’ said Christie

Gwendoline Christie has given the best reason for nominating herself for an Emmy for her role as Brienne of Tarth in Game of Thrones.

The actor made headlines recently when she submitted herself as a contender for best supporting actress in this year’s awards, and Christie has now explained she did so as “testament” to her tough character in the hit show.

“It’s something I find hard to do, like everyone else, but I would like to be in charge of my own destiny,” Christie told The Los Angeles Times.

“And I would like to endeavour to give myself opportunities. Particularly when working very hard on something very special and you’ve pushed yourself beyond your limits.”

She added: “I checked that it wasn’t an inappropriate thing to do, and I was told it wasn’t. People submit themselves all the time.

"I truly never expected it to manifest in a nomination and I don’t think anybody else did either. But I just had to do it for me. And I had to do it as a testament to the character and what I feel she represents.”

Brienne of Tarth was one of the few characters to survive to the end of Game of Thrones’s brutal final series.