Following numerous setbacks in auditioning for parts in the Game of Thrones universe, British actor Steve Toussaint was finally cast as Corlys Velaryon for the prequel House of the Dragon. In landing the role, the 57-year-old became the franchise's first black lead character.
Weeks of eager anticipation finally came to an end after the show premiered in the early hours of Monday morning, to an overwhelmingly positive response. Toussaint will feature prominently over the next nine episodes before the series draws to a climax on October 24.
Lord Corlys, also known as the Sea Snake, heads up the house of Velaryon, who were reimagined as black when adapting George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood for the screen. Showrunner Ryan Condal had revealed that it was actually Martin’s idea having originally envisioned them as black in earlier drafts.
Read more: How is Daemon Targaryen in House of the Dragon related to Daenerys?
Speaking to the Radio Times, the man tasked with portraying the fierce character revealed: “When they announced [my casting], one of the first things I saw on social media was a drawing of the character [from the books] next to a picture of me. And then there was the racist abuse that came with that.
“I kind of thought: ‘Oh, I get it’. When we were criminals and pirates and slaves in the other show, you were OK with that. But as this guy is the richest [character] in the show and he’s a nobleman, now you have a problem with it.”
Who is Steve Toussaint and what other films and TV shows has he been in?
Steve Toussaint was born to Barbadian parents in March 1965. He later had his last name legally changed after his birth name conflicted with a pre-existing member of his actor’s union.
The name Toussaint was adopted courtesy of Haitain revolutionary leader Toussaint Louverture, whom he had been reading about in C.L.R. James’ The Black Jacobins at the time. By 1994, his first professional acting credit arrived in ITV’s The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, where he played Steve Dixie.
Amid a smattering of further TV roles, Toussaint had supporting roles in Sylvester Stallone-starring Judge Dredd (1995) and neo-noir crime film Circus (2000). Heading into the Noughties, Steve featured in British TV staples Casualty, The Bill, Doctors and New Tricks.
The 2010s brought further appearances in Silent Witness, Line of Duty and Death in Paradise, before popping up in Doctor Who and It’s a Sin in more recent years. Other film outings came in the form of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (where he made an impact playing Seso), Shooting Dogs and Flight of Fury.
His career has even taken him to the video game industry, voicing George Lambert in Jurassic World Evolution and its sequel. Toussaint had always wanted to play a part in the hugely successful Game of Thrones franchise.
He previously auditioned for several roles, including Areo Hotah, and even secured a part in another scheduled prequel - The Long Night - before it was later canned. Toussaint’s aspirations were finally achieved when he was offered the role of Lord Corlys Velaryon in House of the Dragon, saying how he believed those failed attempts were meant to be.
Who is Lord Corlys Velaryon?
The Sea Snake, Lord Corlys Velaryon, truly made House Velaryon a powerful seat. The owner of the largest navy in the Westerosi world made them far richer than the Lannisters.
After first captaining a ship at the age of 16, he was already revered by the time he turned 23, demonstrating his natural ability as a sailor. After gaining his wealth during the famed nine voyages to Essos, Corlys married the granddaughter of the Old King Jaehaerys Targaryen - Rhaenys Targaryen.
Toussaint revealed to The Hollywood Reporter how his character’s relationship is one of the only true ones in the series: "The other thing Eve [Best, who plays Rhaenys] and I were discussing the other day is that [Rhaenys and Corlys] are the only couple together purely for love. He also listens to her.
“He doesn’t always pay attention, but he seeks her advice." The pair had two children together, named Laena and Laenor.
He also described the character’s approach as being like: "It doesn’t matter what my words mean to you. I’m telling you the truth. I don’t care if I hurt your feelings.”
Despite his wife being passed over for the throne in favour of Viserys, Lord Corlys faithfully serves King Viserys I as his Master of Ships. The nautical pro is set to feature prominently throughout the series, and was even been rumoured to have his own spin-off show dedicated to him earlier this year, as reported by Deadline.
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