If you’ve ever found yourself deep in a Game of Thrones rewatch—maybe skipping the later seasons, no judgment here—you’ve definitely paused when the Brotherhood Without Banners hits the screen. They were just cooler than everyone else. And at the heart of that ragtag group of rebels was a drunken, top-knot-wearing Red Priest who somehow made the Lord of Light seem like a god you’d actually want to grab a pint with.
That man was Thoros of Myr.
But for a huge chunk of the audience, seeing the Thoros of Myr actor on screen was a bizarre "wait, is that him?" moment. Because before he was bringing Beric Dondarrion back from the dead for the sixth time, Paul Kaye was the most hated—and loved—man in British comedy.
The Man Behind the Top Knot
Honestly, Paul Kaye is a bit of a chameleon. To a certain generation, he’s not a priest; he’s Dennis Pennis. Back in the 90s, Kaye created this shock-interviewer persona who would gatecrash red carpets to ask A-listers the most insulting questions possible. He once asked Steve Martin, "Why aren't you funny anymore?" Imagine the guts that took.
He’s talked about those days with a mix of pride and a "what was I thinking?" vibe. It was high-wire stuff. He was chased by security, punched by stars, and eventually had to kill off the character because he simply couldn't get near a celebrity without being recognized.
When he landed the role of Thoros, it felt like a total 180.
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Bringing Thoros of Myr to Life
The transition from "punk prankster" to "war-weary warrior priest" isn't exactly a standard career path. But Kaye nailed it. He brought this lived-in, exhausted energy to the role that made Thoros feel like a real person rather than a fantasy trope.
In the books, Thoros is described as a bit of a glutton who lost his faith and found it again in the fires of war. Kaye captured that perfectly. He wasn't some stoic, holy man. He was a guy who liked his ale, loved his friends, and was genuinely terrified by the power he suddenly possessed.
Why the Brotherhood Worked
The chemistry between Paul Kaye and Richard Dormer (who played Beric Dondarrion) was the secret sauce of those Season 3 episodes. You really believed these two had been through hell together. When Thoros describes the first time he brought Beric back—expecting nothing to happen and just saying the words because he didn't know what else to do—it’s one of the most grounded moments in a show filled with dragons and ice zombies.
It wasn't just about the magic. It was about the friendship.
The Shocking Reality of "Beyond the Wall"
When Thoros finally met his end in Season 7, it felt like the stakes had finally become real for the "suicide squad" heading North. Getting mauled by a flaming undead polar bear is a pretty metal way to go out, let’s be honest.
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Interestingly, Paul Kaye has admitted in interviews that he’s never actually watched Game of Thrones. Yeah, you read 그 right. He doesn't like watching himself on screen. He’s said that for him, the experience was about the work and the people, not the final product.
There’s something kinda refreshing about that. In an era where every actor is obsessed with their "legacy" and "arc," Kaye just showed up, did an incredible job, and moved on to the next thing.
Life After Westeros
If you think Kaye’s career ended at the Wall, you haven't been paying attention. He’s been everywhere. He was the chaotic psychiatrist in Ricky Gervais' After Life, a roles that allowed him to flex those "annoying yet strangely compelling" muscles again.
He’s also popped up in:
- Three Girls (a devastatingly serious turn that showed his dramatic range)
- Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
- The Stranger
- Vera (as the regular pathologist Dr. Malcolm Donahue)
- Shaka Ilembe
He even did a stint in the West End as Mr. Wormwood in Matilda the Musical, which earned him an Olivier nomination. The guy is a powerhouse.
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What Most People Miss
People often get caught up in the "shock comic turned serious actor" narrative. But if you look at Kaye’s early work, even as Dennis Pennis, there was always a level of commitment that went beyond just being a jerk. It was performance art.
He’s also a classically trained artist. Before the comedy took off, he was a scene painter at the Old Vic and an illustrator for NME. That creative background probably explains why his characters always feel so visually distinct. He knows how to inhabit a "look."
Fun Fact: The Dothraki Connection
Here’s a weird detail: despite never playing a Dothraki character, Kaye has recorded messages for fans in Dothraki. He apparently learned bits of the language just to be nice to the fans who recognized him from the show. That’s the kind of guy he is—underneath the crusty exterior of a Red Priest or a shock comic, there’s a guy who actually cares about the craft and the people who enjoy it.
If you’re looking to dive deeper into the career of the Thoros of Myr actor, start with his turn in It’s All Gone Pete Tong. He plays a deaf DJ, and it’s one of the most underrated performances of the 2000s. It’s funny, heartbreaking, and weird—basically everything Paul Kaye does best.
After that, check out Three Girls on the BBC or HBO. It’s a total shift from his fantasy work, but it proves that whether he’s wielding a flaming sword or playing a grieving father, Paul Kaye is the real deal.