There were several key characters missing in "Game of Thrones" season 5, such as Bran Stark and his faithful servant Hodor, who is portrayed by Irish actor Kristian Nairn.
However, they will be back in season 6, and Nairn is now sharing with the Times of India the journey he took just to be a part of HBO's most popular television show.
Nairn admitted that he knew nothing about George R.R. Martin's novels prior to auditioning. It was his mother who kept bugging him to audition because she was a huge fan of "A Song of Ice and Fire."
"My mother had read the books about four times before I got the audition," he said.
But even after he nabbed the role of Hodor, he still wasn't convinced that the show will be a hit, and he just did not see the appeal of Hodor. "This guy only said one word 'Hodor' which didn't make any sense. It was crazy," he said.
In the end, however, Nairn fell in love with his character because of his kind spirit.
"After a while, I was able to connect with the character because the only way to play a part like Hodor is to have that connect. You can't pretend, It has to be real." he said. "Apart from the size, we had a lot in common. I think I am just as nice as he is."
Nairn added that he is glad he will not have to carry Isaac Hempstead Wright (Bran Stark) on his back come season 6, because doing so for the past few seasons damaged his back.
"It was a nightmare. It's good I don't have to carry him anymore. It was okay when he was a kid but he is nearly six-feet tall now. But though it has destroyed my back, I am still glad to have done it," he said.
Nairn considers Wright as his "little brother," and the two have quite the special relationship.
"I have loved Isaac from the minute I met him, though he had smashed my phone screen 10 minutes into the meeting. Yes, the clumsy kid did that. He feels like one of my children. He comes to me for advice regarding acting and even teenage issues," he shared.
Even though he plays a minor role in the series, Nairn said that Hodor is still quite popular, and there would be times he gets noticed at the most unexpected places.
"Sometimes when you're at the supermarket at 3 a.m. and someone yells Hodor! You feel like saying shut up! But it's really nice. GOT fans are not like Twilight fans. They are slightly more intelligent and respectful." he laughingly said.
