Even the biggest House of the Dragon fan might not immediately recognize Abubakar Salim if they passed him on the street, but for a very different reason than you might not recognize some of his colleagues. Unlike the other members of House Velaryon, the star of Assassin’s Creed Origins doesn’t have to wear a wig on the show. He undergoes a physical transformation from his natural state as a gregarious actor with a big warm smile and a video game obsession into the super serious Alyn of Hull with just a shaved head, a clean face, a few scars, and what he calls a “brooding, angry” demeanor.
Obviously, a lot more goes into playing the legendary Westerosi seaman than looking stoic and sporting a bald head. So what does it take to portray a beloved character from George R.R. Martin’s world? How was that challenge different this time around versus when he joined the series in season two? And what’s it like being on a show this popular? Nerdist asked Salim about all of that and a whole lot more when we spoke to him ahead of the premiere of House of the Dragon season three.
Turns out being a great Alyn of Hull involves a lot more Elden Ring music than you’d think.
Nerdist: You’ve starred on some big shows, but with House of the Dragon, you’re a significant part of one of the most popular series in the world, which itself is part of one of the most popular franchises in the world. That’s a different level of fame than most actors will ever have. So what has it been like living as Alyn of Hull since season two?
Abubakar Salim: Very surreal. The more I think about it, and the more I begin to not only learn about his story, but also have fans and people tell me about his story, the more I realize how important it is and how big of a role it is. It’s frightening, but also very, very exciting. I feel very lucky and blessed to have the privilege to be playing such a character who has lot of complexity to him. There’s a lot to mine from him. It’s like an actor’s dream to have a character where there is a lot of nuance to mine from.
Westeros is full of big showy characters, but Alyn is among the most buttoned down, serious figures from any HBO Game of Thrones show. Do you ever find yourself frustrated by having to play it so stern? Or is that actually more fun when you’re in this chaotic world?
Salim: It’s more fun in the chaotic world, because you then wonder what happens when he does buck. :laughs: That’s something I really enjoy diving into and leaning into. It’s like when you look at a duck on water. They look so calm, but their feet are like this. That’s kind of where Alyn is. There are so many cogs whirring. There are so many things happening. But rather than show the panic and the manic-ness of where he’s at, it’s better to retain it. It’s good fun. It’s good fun to be able to do that and play with that and have those moments where, if something does kick off it pays off, rather than necessarily it feeling like he is just stoic.
Speaking of your performance, with such a big gap between seasons, do you find yourself struggling to remember everything that happened in season two?
Salim: Oh yeah. :big laugh: It’s tough. The great thing about the world we live in is that we can basically turn it on and watch the whole season to remind you essentially what’s happened. But yeah, it’s quite funny being like, “Okay, where am I? What happened? Who am I again? How did I perform this scene?” There is also something really quite refreshing about having that space and gap to reflect and take and enjoy the season that comes out.
We have this huge gap, and I’d love to just keep going and keep giving more stories. But there is also an enjoyment of being like, “Oh yeah, I can sit back and watch this series and enjoy it with everyone else and be like, all right, here we go again.”
You said you can go back and be like, “Oh, where was I? I’m here.” But did you have to rewatch any episodes to recenter your performance or was the character still fully realized in your head?
Salim: No. For me, whenever I do character work I always build a soundtrack. I always listen to my soundtrack and that is what centers me.
Whenever I watch, it’s more so to just enjoy the story and see what my other mates and colleagues were doing because I have no idea. Especially season two was funny because I was just on the dock and I generally thought it was just my show. :laughs: Whereas when I watch it, then I’ve got every other character coming in and I’m like, “Who are these people? ” But for me, I do feel that it’s always better to progress and trust the words and trust the story and trust that that will bring your character, and my soundtrack, to connect me to that cadence, what is my inner cadence and lean into that. Which helps. It really does help.
What’s the number one song on the playlist for Alyn?
Salim: Oh, you want to know?
C’mon. You gotta tell me.
Salim: Okay. Hold on. I’ll tell you right now because I have it right here. I listen to it all the time whenever I’m playing. :he searches his computer: I’ve got so many different character playlists. I have to scroll through. Where is it, where is it…here we go. Ready?
The first one I listened to is “The King,” which is from The Northman, the OST soundtrack. Then we’ve got “The Power of Prophecy,” which was from House of the Dragon season one. Then “House Velaryon.” So those are my three kind of ones that get me in. Then I’ve got “I Am His Vengeance” and “Strike, Brother” as well from The Northman. So really The Northman and House of the Dragon are the ones that I really pull from.
Then, if I’m really feeling as though I want to just get into the feels, or get into the character or the world of it, Elden Ring OST is my go-to. Specifically Shadow of the Erdtree. I think it’s powerful and it’s a great soundtrack to listen to. The playlist is what gets me into it. Then if I just want to sit in the mood of it, it’s Elden Ring.
Before we move on to season three, I want to go back to the end of season two and what followed. I’m certainly not going to ask you to speak about what George R. R. Martin said about the show, but I am curious how you felt about it. What was your reaction to his big post where he shared his issues with House of the Dragon?
Salim: Look, I mean, I’ll be honest, I didn’t really know too much about it. I wasn’t really engaged on that front. For me, my job as the actor is essentially to do what has been given to me. And I feel incredibly lucky to be given the character where it’s, again, it’s something that he has created and he’s put a lot of care and passion into, to bring that to screen and enjoy it. But yeah, I don’t know. I didn’t really engage on that front because again, it’s like one of those ones where it didn’t really feel like it was something for me to do. But yeah, you’re asking the wrong guy. :laughs:
Things between him and Ryan Condal have not improved. Did those creative differences manifest in any noticeable ways while filming season three?
Salim: No, not at all. Again, my process of season three was a wonderful one. It was a beautiful one. I had a great time working on it. Ryan is one of the funniest and the most caring [people]. And probably a bigger nerd than I am. And that’s saying something for a guy [like me] who plays video games basically 24/7. It’s pretty amazing how much this guy cares about this show and how much he cares about the people around it. So as I say, I don’t know. They’re probably the best people to ask on this stuff because I just listen to my music and focus on my lines.
Speaking of that, what was different for you this time around returning to a show as a veteran versus joining it in season two as a newcomer?
Salim: I wouldn’t even say that I’m a veteran. I think I’m still learning.
It’s funny, I remember the feeling on Raised By Wolves when we did season one. It was all very new for everyone. And then season two was like, “Okay, we know what we’re doing. We’ve got an idea, we’re accustomed to it.” But even then, it was still full of surprises. And that’s the beauty of this industry is that it’s always surprising. It’s always an interesting space to play in, because as soon as you get comfortable, that’s when mistakes happen and that’s when you should probably move on.
As actors, you’re so used to being uncomfortable all the time, be it through auditions or through work, that you never really feel seasoned or like a veteran. It’s always new, it’s always fresh. And I think that’s what makes a good actor. It’s like when you’re watching it, you’re like, “Oh, this is the first time they’re saying these lines.”
Well, you also got off the dock this year, so that was new, right?
Salim: This is what I mean. I learned that I obviously have supporting artists working with me on my main show, so I had to get used to that. That was probably the biggest thing I learned.
Where is Alyn emotionally heading into this season and how is it meaningfully different from where we saw him in season two?
Salim: There is a lot bubbling. We ended season two with Alyn essentially opening his heart and telling Corlys where to stick it. But again, it came from a place of being vulnerable and opening up. And that’s where we’re entering into now. We’re entering into seeing Alyn being more vulnerable, seeing Alyn be more engaged in politics that he doesn’t really want to be a part of, but having to be forced into. That’s an interesting space to play, especially for someone who is just used to serving and doing the job. Now he’s having to think a bit on his own feet and play in that. It’s an evolution, a place where Alyn feels uncomfortable. Where he’s going to have to suck it up and either survive or die.
Speaking of the Sea Snake, Steve Toussaint is such a presence on this show. He’s incredible just to watch. What’s it like filming with him, especially during these very intimate, highly charged scenes that you have together?
Salim: Oh, it’s phenomenal. I’ve learned so much from just being on set and seeing him both behind camera and on camera. He is one of the loveliest, most brilliant and passionate human beings I’ve ever met. And when that camera turns on and brings the game in, it’s always just amazing to see. I have so much time for Steve.
It is very daunting and quite terrifying to come on such a huge show not really knowing many people. It’s always the first time. The first time’s always tricky because you don’t know anyone, you’re learning about the dynamics of the show, you’re learning about different kinds of friendship groups and whatever. And Steve made me feel like I had been there from the beginning. That’s such a powerful testament to who he is as a person that I wish to carry that on whenever I do productions and shows. Making other people feel that way, because the way he makes me feel makes me feel as if I could do anything.
Well, anything besides probably being glad you don’t have to wear that wig like the rest of your family.
Salim: I mean, look…it was either….it’s…it’s…..yes, I’m very happy. :laughs: Because there’s a lot of time in the makeup chair that is saved because all I’ve got to do is shave this head. And I’m happy I also have hair to come back to.
Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Bluesky at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.