Game of Thrones' shocking nude scene was complicated, and expensive, to shoot

This post contains spoilers for Game of Thrones, and discusses how a particularly brutal scene was filmed. The image for this post was chosen to make sure you don't even know which character we're referring to if you haven't seen the show, but the word "nude" certainly grabbed your interest, huh?

Last night's episode of Game of Thrones featured an extended, frankly shot scene where Cersei Lannister walks among the people, completely nude, as a Sparrow intones the word "shame" after Cersei confesses her sins. It's hard to watch, but actor Lena Headey gives a strong performance, slowly losing her composure as the people around her throw food, scream at her and attempt to attack her as the Sparrows fend them off.

"It’s not hard when people are screaming at you and you look like shit and you’re being f–king humiliated to figure out how that would feel," Headey told Entertainment Weekly. "There’s a part of you that’s f–king terrified. I can’t even imagine people wanting your blood. Cersei has done wrong, but she doesn’t really deserve this."

A report from the set where the scene was shot goes into detail about the technical wizardry behind the sequence. "The scene was filmed multiple times — with Lena Headey, with a body double, and with a moving green screen and lighting equipment," Watchers on the Wall reported. "The double was nude, while Lena wore a skin-colored dress."

The scene has been the target of speculation for a while, and TMZ also reported that it was an expensive shoot. "According to our GoT spies ... more than 200 security guards were hired to protect the set while shooting the 'Walk of Shame' scene — where Lena's character Cersei walks stark naked out of a church and through town. We're told the 4-day shoot in Croatia got so pricey because of the added crew — and producers having to pay local shop owners to shut down and leave the area," the site stated.

"Cell phones were banned on set so photos wouldn't get leaked (oops!) — and everyone signed confidentiality agreements that threatened $250,000 lawsuits for violators."

There were also reports the production had to move because the church wouldn't allow the scene to be filmed on its premises. Unlike the other women in the show, Cersei has rarely been seen nude, which was a calculated decision.

"I think, you know, it's interesting, that part for me," Headey told blastr. "I've been very adamant about keeping her kind of clothed because I think that's part of her power. And she can still be sort of sexual and weird and female, but she doesn't have to be naked. And I think it makes for a more shocking disempowering moment when this happens. So, we'll see. I'm a little scared."

The amount of work, planning and technology that goes into a show like Game of Thrones is fascinating, and this sounds like it was one of the most intense scenes to both plan and actually shoot from this season. The result speaks for itself.