Kristian Nairn: Beyond the Throne

Beyond the Throne is the first memoir to share behind‑the‑scenes stories of Game of Thrones, from actor Kristian Nairn, who played Hodor.

Join Kristian in conversation with award-winning author Wendy Erskine to discuss his sky-rocketing career – from an unlikely audition to on-set camaraderie and life-altering stardom.

In the book, Kristian also shares his personal story of being raised by a single mother; coming of age as a gay man in Lisburn and Belfast; performing as a drag queen; DJing, writing and discovering the power of creativity.

Kristian Nairn is a prolific actor and DJ from Northern Ireland. He is best known for his role as Hodor in HBO's Game of Thrones, as well as roles in Our Flag Means Death, The Rookie, Ripper Street, Unwelcome and more. As a DJ, he has toured around the world and performed at the world's biggest festivals including Tomorrowland and Untold Festival. In 2024, he released his debut autobiography, a memoir, Beyond The Throne, to critical acclaim. 

Wendy Erskine is the author of two short story collections, Sweet Home and Dance Move. She was shortlisted for the Edge Hill Prize and the Republic of Consciousness Prize, longlisted for the Gordon Burn Prize and Sunday Times Audible Short Story Award, and she received the Butler Literary Award and the Edge Hill Readers' Choice Award. She edited the art anthology, well I just kind of like it. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, she is a frequent broadcaster and interviewer, and works as a secondary school teacher in Belfast. The Benefactors is her debut novel.