Oona Chaplin, unlike her GOT character Talisa, hails from a celebrated family lineage. Oona is the daughter of actress Geraldine Chaplin, granddaughter of the famous English film star Charlie Chaplin and the great-granddaughter of American playwright Eugene O’Neill. So naturally anyone’s first guess would be why wouldn’t Oona have a kick-ass acting career, right? Given the fact that nepotism has its root deep down in our society!
Oona Chaplin in Dates. Source: RadioTimes
However that’s absolutely not the case, Oona didn’t even want acting as her career in her first place. She revealed it in an interview with bio.
“Honestly, I resisted acting for so long. So long. I really didn’t want to be an actress. But I did this play at my boarding school and I was cast as Bottom in Midsummer Night’s Dream, the clumsy player, the fool, the comic relief, and it was suggested that I play the character dressed as my grandfather. I was 15. I don’t think I’d even consider doing that now, and I don’t think I was very excited about doing it then. But I did it, and it was transformative for me. I remember walking off the stage and bursting into tears and sort of falling into my teacher’s arms, like, “I understand now. I get it. I’ve got do to this now.” That was opening night. And then here I am now, still trying to get it right!”
And we can also stand witness to the fact that Oona hasn’t scored any acting roles on the account of her family name. Besides, hasn’t Oona completely bewitched us as the selfless Talisa in Game of Thrones and the generous Maths teacher, Ruth in The Longest Ride! Didn’t we all cry after “The Red Wedding” ended on Game of Thrones, thinking we wouldn’t get to see more of Talisa?
Oona Chaplin as Talisa Maegyr. Source: RollingStone
Due to her outstanding performances in many movies like Inconceivable, First, Love? Quantum of Solace, Imago Mortis, Pelican Blood, High and Dry, Vampyre Compendiun, ¿Para qué sirve un oso?, The Devil’s Double, Slar, The Sorrows, Powder Room, What if…, Aloft, and The Longest Ride. That was more than just a handful! She wouldn’t have come this far only to the power of her family name!
Apart from movies, she has her equal share in TV series as well. Her works include Spooks, Spooks: Code 9, Married Single Other, Ela Gordo: Una Historia Verdadera, The Hour, Sherlock, Game of Thrones, Dates, Inside No. 9, The Crimson Field, Black Mirror, and Taboo. Once again, Oona’s work not her family name’s work!