Game of Thrones star defends show's incest storyline as 'true love'

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau has defended the show's incest storyline between his character Jamie Lannister and sister Cersei, played by Lena Headey. Photo / Getty Images.

Game of Thrones star Nikolaj Coster-Waldau has described the incest storyline between his character Jamie Lannister and sister Cersei, played by Lena Headey, as one of the show's "few true love stories".

The Sun reports the 48-year-old actor defended his controversial on-screen relationship in an interview with Men's Health magazine ahead of the show's highly anticipated final season.

"I think most people have at least been attracted to someone you shouldn't be," Coster-Waldau told Men's Health.

"Not your sister, but someone you really shouldn't fall in love with. Like your best friend's girlfriend."

Coster-Waldau went on to speak with genuine affection about Jamie's intimate connection with his tyrannical sister.

"It's one of the few true love stories in Game of Thrones — Jaime is dedicated to this woman," he said.

Great secrecy surrounds the final season with the Game of Thrones cast going to great lengths to avoid revealing any spoilers.

Coster-Waldau would not give any hints as to the fate of his character and joked Jamie's arm would regrow after he lost it in a sword battle back in season three.

"He grows out his arm," he teased. "It grows back, but not in the way you think. It's a claw!"

The eighth and final series of the HBO fantasy drama will air on New Zealand screens from April 14.