In the world of Hollywood, appearances can be everything, especially when you’re part of a massive franchise like Game of Thrones. For Natalie Dormer, who played the cunning and charismatic Margaery Tyrell, the challenge of maintaining her on-screen look while juggling other roles was no small feat. From her experience with the iconic HBO series to her bold transformation for The Hunger Games, Dormer’s insights into her hair and style choices provide a fascinating glimpse into the behind-the-scenes world of showbiz.
The Price of Beauty in Westeros
When it comes to fantasy television, few shows can boast the level of detail and dedication to character design as Game of Thrones. Over eight seasons, the series captivated audiences not just with its complex storylines and epic battles, but also with the intricate costumes, makeup, and hairstyles that brought Westeros to life. For actresses like Natalie Dormer, this attention to detail meant that maintaining a consistent look was essential, even when other projects came calling.
Dormer’s role as Margaery Tyrell required her to embody a character who was both politically savvy and fashion-forward. Yet, like many of her fellow cast members, Dormer faced a dilemma: how to take on other roles without compromising her character’s appearance on Game of Thrones. The solution? Wigs.
“I was very grateful that we had the foresight before I started Thrones to go, ‘You know what? There might be roles you want to take that would require different hair,’” Dormer shared in a candid 2014 interview with the Daily Beast. This decision allowed her to seamlessly transition between roles without risking the continuity of her Game of Thrones character.
Kit Harington’s Hair Dilemma: A Lesson in Commitment
While wigs provided Dormer with the flexibility she needed, her co-star Kit Harington took a different approach. Harington, who portrayed the brooding Jon Snow, opted to keep his natural hair throughout the series, a choice that Dormer couldn’t help but poke fun at. In the same interview, she quipped:
“[Kit] was an idiot. Lena, Emilia, and I are laughing because we sorted the wig thing out nice and early.”
Harington’s decision to forgo hair extensions may have made his portrayal of Jon Snow more authentic, but it also left him “stuck” with the character’s look for the entirety of the show’s run. Dormer’s lighthearted jab underscores the challenges actors face when committing to a long-running series, where their appearance can become inextricably linked with their character.
A Bold Transformation for The Hunger Games
Natalie Dormer’s ability to adapt her look for different roles was put to the test when she joined the cast of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 as the rebellious filmmaker Cressida. Known for her distinctive half-shaved head and tattoos, Cressida’s look was a far cry from the regal elegance of Margaery Tyrell. For Dormer, the transformation was both terrifying and liberating.
Reflecting on the casting process, Dormer revealed:
“I was a massive fan of the first movie and hadn’t read the novels, but then I got the phone call about Cressida and did an audition tape at home on a Canon 7D with my hair scraped back in a really tight ponytail, and sent it off to Francis [Lawrence, the director]. I got the phone call saying, ‘They love you. They want to know if you would be up for shaving your entire head.’”
While the prospect of shaving her head might have been daunting, Dormer ultimately embraced the challenge. “To be a part of The Hunger Games, yes,” she recalled saying. However, she and the director reached a compromise, opting to shave only half of her head, a decision that would go on to define her character’s striking look.
The Buzz Around Dormer’s New Look
Dormer’s half-shaved head quickly became one of the most talked-about aspects of her appearance in The Hunger Games. When she debuted the look at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2014, it caused quite a stir. In an interview with the Daily Mail, Dormer described the experience of shaving her head as initially “terrifying,” but ultimately “liberating.”
The transformation wasn’t just a one-time affair; it required meticulous upkeep throughout the filming process. Dormer explained that her character’s tattoo, which adorned the shaved side of her head, needed daily maintenance:
“Every single day it was clean-shaven – to put the tattoo transfer on every day, so it was bare skin for nine months.”
Balancing the demands of two major franchises, Dormer found herself in a unique position, working on The Hunger Games while still portraying Margaery Tyrell on Game of Thrones. When asked which project she preferred, Dormer diplomatically declined to choose, expressing her gratitude for being part of “two incredible families.”
The Art of Adaptation in Hollywood
Natalie Dormer’s experience highlights the importance of adaptability in an industry where an actor’s look can be as crucial as their performance. Whether donning a wig to maintain a character’s consistency or shaving her head to embody a new role, Dormer has demonstrated a remarkable ability to navigate the physical demands of her craft.
In the end, her approach to style and transformation speaks to a broader truth in Hollywood: the best actors aren’t just those who can deliver their lines convincingly but also those who can fully commit to the visual demands of their roles, even when it means making bold and sometimes risky changes.
By embracing these challenges, Dormer not only brought depth and authenticity to her characters but also set a standard for how to balance multiple high-profile projects without compromising the integrity of either.
