No Small Parts Season 3 Episode 10 Kristofer Hivju
- August 14, 2017
As a fan of Game of Thrones, it’s hard not to love Kristofer Hivju. The Norwegian actor played the wildling leader Tormund Giantsbane on the hit HBO series, becoming a fan favorite over the course of seven seasons. However, Hivju has a long and varied career beyond his time in Westeros. That’s where No Small Parts comes in, as the show takes a deep dive into his life and work in its third season’s tenth episode, titled simply, “Kristofer Hivju.”
The episode starts with a look at Hivju’s early life in Norway, where he was born into a creative family. His father, Erik Hivju, was a successful actor and director in their home country. While Kristofer was interested in the family business, he didn’t immediately pursue acting. Instead, he focused on sports, particularly skiing. He was a talented athlete and earned a spot on the Norwegian national team.
However, Hivju’s passion for performing was not to be ignored. While he was still competing in skiing, he started taking some acting classes and auditioning for roles. His father was initially hesitant about his son’s career choice, knowing how hard it could be to succeed in the industry. Nevertheless, Hivju persisted and eventually earned his first major role in the Norwegian television series, Fox Grønland.
From there, the episode explores Hivju’s continued success in Norway, including his work in the popular film The Thing, which was based on the classic horror movie of the same name. Despite its mixed critical reception, Hivju’s performance was lauded, and it helped him gain more attention internationally.
Of course, it’s Hivju’s work on Game of Thrones that most viewers will be interested in. No Small Parts takes a deep dive into his casting process and the years he spent working on the series. Hivju is remarkably candid about his experience, sharing stories about the challenges of filming in difficult conditions and the pressure he felt to do justice to the character of Tormund.
However, the most interesting parts of the episode come when Hivju talks about his creative process. He reveals that he worked closely with the show’s writers to develop Tormund into the character fans came to know and love. He brought his own ideas and interpretations to the role, too. For instance, he decided that Tormund’s obsession with Brienne of Tarth should be played as a sort of adolescent crush, rather than a mature romantic interest.
No Small Parts also explores Hivju’s work beyond Game of Thrones, including his roles in movies like The Fate of the Furious and Twin. It’s clear that the actor is passionate about his craft and cares deeply about the characters he plays. He speaks at length about the importance of understanding the motivations of the characters he portrays, and how that helps him bring truth to the performance.
Throughout all of this, the episode showcases clips from Hivju’s many performances, including some of the more obscure roles he’s played in his native Norway. It’s clear that he’s a versatile actor, equally comfortable in comedy and drama.
In the end, “Kristofer Hivju” is a fascinating look at a talented actor’s life and work. Fans of Game of Thrones will certainly enjoy it, but even those who haven’t seen the hit series should find plenty to appreciate. Hivju’s charm and talent shine through in every scene, and it’s clear that he has a bright future ahead of him. No Small Parts has done an excellent job of showcasing all that he has to offer.