‘I hate it’: Lesley Manville criticises violence in mainstream media, including Game of Thrones

Lesley Manville has criticised violence in mainstream media.

The Phantom Thread actor opened up about her views on the subject in a new interview promoting the action series Citadel.

Citadel which also stars Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, follows a global spy agency who must fight against a powerful syndicate.

As noted in Manville’s interview with The Guardian, the series features a “high-body count” and lots of “blood spatter” – and when asked what she thinks of this, the actor replied: “Oh, I can’t watch violence. I don’t watch any.”

When asked to elaborate, Manville pointed out she had yet to see the final edit of Citadel, but said: “It’s a big topic, really. I hate it, basically. I get offended by it.”

She continued: “I really think it’s bad news. People talk about Game of Thrones. I’ve never been able to watch it. Also, it’s pretty violent towards women. I really don’t want to see that.”

Manville starred in the most recent season of The Crown, playing Princess Margaret.

She recently revealed that when she heard showrunner Peter Morgan wanted to meet with her, she immediately assumed she was in line to play the Queen – the role that went to Imelda Staunton.

Citadel will be released on 28 April.