‘Game of Thrones’ Star Isaac Hempstead Wright Reveals the Story Behind His Creepy Bran Stare

Published Apr 18, 2019

•

3:31pm

Isaac Hempstead Wright plays Bran the Three-Eyed Raven on Game of Thrones, but in real life, his eyesight isn’t all that great.

The 20-year-old Stark popped into Jimmy Kimmel Live! last night ahead of season eight, episode two and shared a little insight into his character’s creepy ways.

In the season-eight premiere, fans couldn’t help but notice that “the Bran stare” was in full effect. And while Hempstead Wright’s character has been a little out there (to say the least) over the past several seasons, he’s taken the soulless stare to a whole new level in season eight. According to Hempstead Wright, there’s a reason for this, but it’s totally not what you’d expect.

The truth came out when Kimmel asked the actor about how he came up with the dead-eyed Bran stare. He explained, “Yeah, I’m kind of getting good at this intense stare. But it’s actually aided by the fact that I’m completely blind when I’m on set.” Wait, what?

Hempstead Wright went on to explain, “I don’t have my glasses, and I don’t have contact lenses.” Now the stare makes total sense, but, pray tell, why doesn’t someone give this guy a set of contacts?

Hempstead Wright says being unable to see at work does have its perks. For one, he doesn’t have to try as hard as his costars. He remembered filming a scene with Sophie Turner, who plays his sister Sansa Stark. She was so captivated by his stare that she said, “Isaac, your stare is like you’re staring into my soul!” He coolly explained, “I can’t see you! That’s why.”

Inability to see aside, at least the stare is majorly on-brand for Bran.

Lex Goodman

Cat mom, yogi, brunch enthusiast

Lex is an LA native who's deeply obsessed with picnics, Slim Aarons, rosé, Hollywood history and Joan Didion. She joined PureWow in early 2017.

read full bio