Natalie Dormer Says ‘Game Of Thrones’ Taught Her ‘You’re Never Home And Dry’

For four years, Natalie Dormer rose to fame as Margaery Tyrell on HBO’s Game of Thrones, but even at the height of her success, Dormer says she always kept in mind that financial security and a prosperous career were things as easily lost as they had been gained. Even before Margaery met her demise on Game of Thrones, Natalie never deluded herself into thinking her character was untouchable. As she discusses the fragility of success in Hollywood and working with her fiance Anthony Byrne on an entirely new project, Natalie speaks with a brutal honesty rarely seen in Hollywood’s elite.

Game of Thrones Star Natalie Dormer Is No Stranger To 9 To 5 Work

In an interview shared by Independent, Natalie Dormer reveals that she once made the mistake of relying on a prospective three-film movie deal, and when the project fell through, she was left with very few prospects. Dormer found herself unemployed for 10 months, during which time she took temp jobs to help pay for Christmas presents, but she credits the experience for teaching her a very important life lesson.

“That was the best lesson I’ve ever learnt: you’re never home and dry,” says Dormer.

That past experience helped her to stay prepared for the eventuality of losing her Game of Thrones gig, so she wasn’t really surprised when Margaery Tyrell was killed off, but that doesn’t mean she departed the series unaffected. Dormer admits that losing touch with the rest of the cast was a great loss for her.

“When it does come to an end, I will always be sad not to have those people in my life on a day-to-day basis. They become your family after six, seven, however many years,” says Natalie.

Natalie Dormer On Making A Movie With Fiance Anthony Byrne: “It’s Tough!”

While it hasn’t been long since her last days on the set of Game of Thrones, Ms. Dormer has moved on with her career, jumping right into a small handful of new projects. Among them, as People magazine reveals, is In Darkness, a film that Dormer is writing with her fiance, Anthony Byrne. Natalie, ever honest, didn’t beat around the bush in describing the situation as “tough”.

“I don’t know if you’ve ever been in a writing room but I wouldn’t recommend it with your other half,” Natalie said.

Even so, Dormer says it was as exciting as it was tough and that she’s really looking forward to sharing the film with her fans. She says that what made it so exciting was the new experience of working on a project she had written herself.

“I’ve learnt so much about the mechanics of how a film is made,” said Ms. Dormer. “To see and appreciate that you’re a cog in a wheel of a much bigger thing happening in front of and behind the camera is a healthy thing for an actor. Now I’m just dying to get on set and tell the story.”

When she’s not working on films, Natalie is aggressively working toward gender equality in and out of Hollywood, hoping to contribute to a cause dear to her heart. Speaking at World Humanitarian Day at the United Nations, Dormer drew attention to the horrible working conditions faced by many women all over the world and asked that everyone consider what each individual can do, whether it be donating funds or simply changing one’s attitude about the problem. In her speech, Dormer said people should stop shaking their heads at the actions or inaction of their government and take a more active role in bringing about change.

“Women should speak up for other women,” said Dormer.

[Image by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for InStyle]