This handsome fellow has been appearing on HBO's Game of Thrones since early Season 2, but it probably took you a while to notice Daniel Portman. He plays Podrick Payne, the shy young squire of Tyrion Lannister. Most of his scenes consist of running around after the Imp and obeying his every command. This silent ghost made his first significant contribution to the show when he saved Tyrion from certain death during the Battle of the Blackwater by killing Ser Mandon Moore, the member of the Kingsguard that Tyrion's sister Cersei sent to murder her own brother during the melee. To thank his squire, Tyrion sent Podrick to a whorehouse on his own dime. But Podrick returned, coin in hand — he was apparently so good, the whores had given him their services for free. That's when we really started noticing young Pod... and now it turns out he's a total babe.
Podrick is played by 22-year-old Daniel Portman from Glasgow, Scotland. He went to school at Shawlands Academy where he played rugby (yum) and — just like a good Hogwarts student — was Head Boy in his final year. This Harry Potter reference got us thinking: Could Podrick Payne be our biggest nerd crush since similarly awkward Neville Longbottom grew up into a surprisingly hunky young man? Let's examine the evidence:
Exhibit A: He's got a sensitive side.
Just look at those puppy dog eyes. I literally can't even.
Exhibit B: He totally rocks that hipster hat.
Seriously, I think he might even be too cool for Williamsburg.
Exhibit C: He's a hottie with a body.
He's the one sporting the hot pink undies.
Exhibit D: He rocks a trench coat better than anyone*.
*Other than Benedict Cumberbatch, of course. (Speaking of nerd crushes...)
Exhibit E: He enjoys a good karaoke sesh.
You just know he's singing "Let It Go."
Exhibit F: He's not above snapping a selfie before hitting the town.
"Can you guys help me pick a filter? I don't know if I should go with XX Pro or Valencia. I wanna look tan. What should my caption be?"
Exhibit G: He looks as excited to sit on the Iron Throne as we would be.
Spoiler alert: Podrick ends up ruling Westeros after literally everyone else dies.
Images: @Daniel_Portman/Twitter (8)
