For many, Richard Brake has the role as Night King in HBO’s hit TV fantasy series Game Of Thrones (GOT) is his most legendary characterization yet. However, this accomplished and highly decorated actor has played even more prominent roles on the silver screen that has led to building a first-rate career spanning two-plus decades.
His part in GOT’s Season 5, episode 8 titled “Hard Home” was notable. The entire episode went on to receive 7 Emmy Award nominations that year. Following this success, it was expected that he would reprise his role for the next two seasons but this wasn’t to be. However, not long after the season’s end, Brake had to leave the show citing scheduling issues. Since then, he’s kept many wondering what he’s been up to. To provide answers to this question, we’ve done a little bit of digging around, and here’s what we found.
Richard Brake as Night King in GOT
The character, Night King carries an air of dread about him. The mere anticipation of his presence evokes such a feeling among all including viewers alike. He is undoubtedly one of the most imposing and chilling villains of the show.
With regard to his role as the leader of the Army of the Dead, Brake revealed how he enjoyed playing the part and interpreting the character. Being no stranger to such a role considering he had been taking on similar roles for most of his career, getting into character had not been difficult for the actor.
Brake joined the set of Game Of Thrones in 2014 where he was soon cast as the Night King for seasons 4 and 5, season 5 being his strongest portrayal of the mystical, ghostly being. To transform into a character, he had to go through hours of makeup, a process he described as torture but worth it.
Brake’s stint as Night King was a brief one though, lasting only 2 episodes. He wouldn’t be able to reprise his role for the sixth and seventh season owing to a scheduling conflict with The Bastard Executioner, a historical fiction he was appearing on at the same time. As a result, GOT’s main stuntman Vladimir Furdik replaced him as Night King.
Brake’s Career Accomplishments
To beam light on Richard Brake’s personality and his illustrious career, he is a native of Ystrad Mynach, Wales and he was born Richard Colin Brake on the 30th of November 1964. Richard studied acting under Sam Kogan in London and Beatrice Straight in New York. He then began his acting career in 1993, appearing first in a British comedy Jeeves and Wooster then followed by the sci-fi horror, Death Machine where he shared the screen with actress Rachel Weisz.
Since these, he has appeared in big-screen hits like Cold Mountain, Batman Begins, Hannibal Rising, Thor: The Dark World, and 3 From Hell. He has also appeared in major TV shows like Cold Case, NCIS: LA, Grimm, and Absentia. Brake’s acting roles, mostly in horror genres or as the villain, have earned him several award nominations which he has also won most. He is dedicated to his craft and continues to give only the best.
What is Richard Brake Doing Now?
Brake has been a busy actor long before joining GOT, making appearances in Cross Lines, Transporter: The Series, and the action comedy film Kingsman: The Secret Service, among others.
After leaving GOT, he has gotten even busier with more TV and films. He co-starred with Melissa McCarthy and Jason Statham in the action-comedy Spy, which received a Golden Globe nomination.
Richard Brake has also made appearances in numerous award-winning shows including Ray Donovan and Hawaii Five-O. The year 2017 saw him play roles in Bitter Harvest, The Death Of Stalin, and Absentia. The following year, he won the Best Actor Award for his role as a tattoo artist in the psychological horror Perfect Skin. He has also co-starred with Nicholas Cage in yet another horror Mandy.
Brake’s most recent movie appearance will be in the thriller The Rhythm Section which will be released on November 22, 2019. With projects extending into 2020 and beyond, it appears that this hardworking actor will not be slowing down anytime soon.
