Game of Thrones star Nikolaj Coster-Waldau has described the controversial ending for his character Jaime Lannister as "poetic".

Fans thought their dreams had finally been realised when Jaime slept with Brienne of Tarth in the episode 'The Last of the Starks', but the Kingslayer broke everyone's hearts when he left in the night to be with his true love (and sister) Cersei.

In a tragic but inevitable turn of events, Jaime and Cersei were later crushed to death as King's Landing crumbled to the ground, thanks to Daenerys Targaryen and her dragon.

HBO

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Some fans criticised Jaime's character arc, suggesting his redemption story was ultimately for nothing, but Nikolaj himself has a very different take.

Speaking to HBO's Making Game of Thrones website, the actor said: "The whole world is falling down around them – it's a poetic thing.

"When we were done filming, it was so emotional – more so than my last scene. My hope for those final moments between Cersei and Jaime, is that even though people want her dead, it still leaves a sour taste in their mouth."

Helen Sloan/HBO

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Game of Thrones aired on HBO in the US, and you can also catch up on the show via Hulu. Viewers in the UK can catch up via Sky Atlantic and NOW TV.

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