Parkinson, now 14, discussed his first memory on the series, whether a serpentine running pattern would have saved Rickon and why he's just started watching Game of Thrones after being on the show for six years. IGN: How did you learn that this was going to be the last season for Rickon?
Art Parkinson: Whenever I was told that I was coming back for Season 6, before they sent me through the scripts and stuff, they sent me through a ring just to say, "Listen, so that you don't get a shock whenever you read the scripts, just know that you die this season."
IGN: What was your reaction?
Parkinson: To that? It was sad at first, but once I realized how I was going to die in it, then it was cool. It was a cool death, and it was always going to be a good death, so at the same time, I was pretty happy.
IGN: Rickon has been a wildcard since early on in the series. What do you see Rickon's role being on Game of Thrones?
Parkinson: Whenever I came back, I was excited to come back, and the scenes all seemed pretty amazing. I was so happy to re-embrace the character. IGN: There's an interesting scene in the episode where Sansa is very practical and realizes that Rickon is basically dead once Ramsay got him. Do you think Rickon realized that as well?
Parkinson: Judging from Rickon's last scene, I would say the way Ramsay did it was unexpected. He is quite an optimistic character, and he was always going to put up a good fight. Whenever he was told, "Run to your brother," and he threw that little look back, I think it was disbelief. Then he said, "Go on," and he was like, "OK, I'm going to do it." Then it was fear and dedication to the sprint and getting to his brother as soon as he saw the bow.
IGN: The Internet had a lot of thoughts about how Rickon ran in a straight line instead of serpentine.
Parkinson: Yeah. [laughs] The zig-zag.
IGN: What do you think about that? Do you think it would have made a difference?
Parkinson: I think that's a question for the writers. As for my role, I need to stick to the script.
IGN: Rickon didn't quite get to see Jon and Sansa again. What do you think he would have said to them had he made it across the field?
Parkinson: I think if he had gotten to Sansa and Jon, I think he would just embrace the fact that he was safe, and it would also be a celebration. IGN: What do you think Rickon has been up to between seasons?
Parkinson: I heard a lot of speculation from the books and stuff of Skagos and him being away with the Umbers. So sorry, I'm only on Season 3, so I'm just going off the script and stuff. In my opinion, he was with the Umbers, and he was safe there, and then he was sold out.
IGN: Wait, so are you watching the show for the first time right now?
Parkinson: I wasn't allowed to watch it for years. A lot of people were saying a year-and-a-half ago that I refused to watch it, and that was made up. I don't, it was just because, you know, I'm young. Around this year mom said to further my knowledge about the show and be able to have a real conversation about it that I was allowed to watch it.
IGN: What do you think, now that you've had a chance?
Parkinson: Now that I'm watching it, I think it's a really good show. I can understand the hype around it and the reason why so many people enjoy it.
IGN: Well I don't want to spoil anything for you because you have three more seasons ahead of you!
Parkinson: [laughs] No, everything was spoiled as soon as I read the scripts anyway. IGN: Who are you rooting for? Who do you want to win -- or at least live?
Parkinson: So far in Season 3, I want Khaleesi to be queen of Westeros. I've seen how she deals with the slaves and stuff like that. To the point that I'm at, I definitely want her to king. I haven't gotten to the Red Wedding yet, so Robb also wants her. He doesn't want to be king at this point in the story, so I definitely want her to take it.
IGN: Oh, I cannot wait to hear what you think when you get to the Red Wedding. You have worked on the show since the beginning, so what have been some of your favorite memories from working on Game of Thrones?
Parkinson: My first memory was walking up to one of the fake walls with Maisie. I was a bit nervous on the first day. It was cool to get to know everyone and see how relaxed everyone was and how friendly everyone was.Game of Thrones airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO. Parkinson will next appear as Kubo in the animated film Kubo and the Two Strings.
For more on this week's episode, check out our interview with Ramsay Bolton himself, Iwan Rheon, our interview with director Miguel Sapochnik, Matt Fowler's review and watch the latest episode of Dragons on the Wall.
Terri Schwartz is Entertainment Editor at IGN. Talk to her on Twitter at @Terri_Schwartz.
