"Game of Thrones" is rightly praised for its cinematic scope, stellar acting, and intricate plot. But the show is also rightly criticized for the harsh treatment of its female characters. While "Thrones" empowers several women characters (Arya, Daenerys, Cersei, Margaery, etc.) far more than its network peers, many who watch the show find the endless suffering of the women almost unbearable. But actress Amanda Peet believes outraged fans may be taking it the wrong way.
"I think it's really misplaced," the actress said about the backlash this past season has generated from the storylines of Sansa Stark and Shireen Baratheon in particular. "They write some of the greatest female characters that are on television."
Talking to TheWrap, Peet noted that the world of Westeros has pushed female led storylines to the forefront, instead of burying them as secondary priorities.
"It's much more insidious to have middling, ancillary female roles where the women are not part of the plot - where they don't advance anything," Peet argued."Wife roles, girlfriend roles, there are very few of those in Game of Thrones. If someone takes their clothes off and it's a massive part of the plot? So be it."
Peet makes some good points, but it also has to be noted that she is married to one of the series' showrunners, David Benioff. Still, there are several strong female characters on the show that are integral to the overarching plot and come across as complex, multi-layered characters.
However, Peet isn't happy about everything that took place this past season. She's still mourning the loss of a fan favorite character in the season finale.
"I was furious. He was already in Belfast, he's back to work now on the next season, but I texted him and said, 'I'm single now!'" she said.
Season six of "Game of Thrones" will return in 2016.
