GoT director defends 'bullied' Ed Sheeran's cameo

After Ed Sheeran made a cameo appearance in this week’s Season 7 premiere of Game of Thrones, not everyone was happy about it.

But Jeremy Podeswa, who directed the episode, has spoken out in defence of the UK singer in an interview with Newsweek, saying “I think Ed did a lovely job - he’s a lovely actor and a lovely person.”

Jeremy Podeswa (pictured with GoT star Maisie Williams and Ed Sheeran) has defended the singer's cameo. Source: Instagram
Jeremy Podeswa (pictured with GoT star Maisie Williams and Ed Sheeran) has defended the singer's cameo. Source: Instagram

With some GoT fans complaining that the scene featuring the global superstar was “not subtle” and that it removed them from the “escapism” of the show, Podeswa reckons the 26-year-old was “ appropriate for the part because he needed to sing.”

Ed was featured as a singing Lannister soldier. Source: HBO
Ed was featured as a singing Lannister soldier. Source: HBO

“If people didn’t know who Ed was, they wouldn’t have thought about it twice…I think people interrogated it too much, they're bringing so much of his [star] presence into the thing which is far beyond what anybody was thinking going into it.”

The singer with his Lannister pals. Source: HBO
The singer with his Lannister pals. Source: HBO

As soon as the episode aired, viewers made their feelings known.

The director, who has helmed six episodes of the show so far, told Newsweek he was “surprised about the reaction actually”.

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He went on the slam the bullying, which may have led to the singer deleting Twitter for 24 hours this week before it mysteriously came back to life, Jon Snow-style.

“The only thing I don't feel great about is that Ed is such a lovely guy and really genuine and down to earth,” Podeswa said.

"He came into this with only lovely intentions to come and do a good job and sing well. So I think that's the only drag.”

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