Games of Thrones: Melisandre actor Carice Van Houten says nudity is 'still taboo, whereas violence is OK'

'You can see someone’s head shot off and that’s all fine. But a nipple? No'

Ian McShane once said “Game of Thrones is only tits and dragons,” a statement that angered some fans (and amused many more).

The HBO show has become synonymous with showing nude females interspersed by huge battles and, as noted, the appearance of dragons.

However, there have been calls for equality on the show, with star Emilia Clark calling on #FreeTheP - something that happened this season.

Melisandre actor Carice Van Houten has spoken openly about nudity on the show many times, questioning why many people are fine seeing violence, but holding different standards for nudity.

Speaking to The Guardian, she elaborated: “[Nudity] still a taboo, whereas violence is OK. You can see someone’s head shot off and that’s all fine. But a nipple? No. That subject is fascinating to me: how uncomfortable people still are with their own bodies and their own sexuality.”

She went on to defend nudity on Game of Thrones, describing how they’re “showing reality”.

“I feel like it has been a weapon for a lot of women in the past and men have taken advantage of women’s bodies. It’s true, I think, and therefore probably very painful sometimes to watch.

“It’s not my favourite thing to do – at all. I really don’t like to take my clothes off on a set where everyone’s wearing f*cking North Face jackets. But in Melisandre’s case, it’s definitely a weapon she uses.”

Weighing in on the #FreeTheP debate, the actor said we don’t necessarily need more male nudity, but “evenness of it would be good”.

“It’s about showing reality, showing what we’re made of. Let’s not pretend men have nothing there. I don’t necessarily have to see it but it’s just a penis. I’d rather see that than a machine gun.”

In other Game of Thrones news, George RR Martin released another chapter of The Winter Winds, detailing the next gruesome step in Euron Greyjoy’s quest to ruin everything.