A DISTRICT councillor went from a Game of Thrones fanatic to starring alongside Kristian Nairn, Emilia Clarke and Peter Dinklage in the TV series.
Sam Coleman, the actor who portrayed Young Hodor in S06E02 and S06E05 is a public servant in the UK. He’s one of the two councillors who represents the ward of Bexhill Sidley on the 38 seat Rother District Council in Sussex.
On the roster of councillors. he apparently is one of only four who seems to be under 40.
As for how he got the gig at Season 6...
“A friend of mine recommended it to me as she knew I loved medieval, fantasy stuff,” he said. “But I hadn’t got into when it was first on as I knew it would take over my life.
“I knew I’d forsake all revision of exams in favour of binge watching this captivating fantasy show about dragons. But I gave in to the temptations and binged series one to four or five.
“And then as I was finishing my binge watch, my agent rang and said I had an audition for season six of Game of Thrones.”
He doesn’t say what effect binge watching had on his exams, but it certainly didn’t hurt in getting him the part.
As for what councillors do in the UK, it sounds similar to what local lawmakers do in any democracy.
Local Councillors are elected by the community to decide how the council should carry out its various activities. They represent public interest as well as individuals living within the ward in which he or she has been elected to serve a term of office.
They have regular contact with the general public through council meetings, telephone calls or surgeries. Surgeries provide an opportunity for any ward resident to go and talk their councillor face to face and these take place on a regular basis.
Councillors are not paid a salary for their work, but they do receive allowances. By law, all members of the Council are required to complete a declaration of interest form, the details of which are published annually.
It’s awesome that Sam is serving his community this way. Hopefully his involvement will encourage more younger voters to follow in his path. As the saying goes, “think globally and act locally”. If you wish to change the world, start doing so by interacting with your local community.
