Before his death last week, Robert Redford quietly returned to the screen one last time. The legendary actor’s final on-screen appearance came in <em>Dark Winds</em> Season 3, and it’s probably the most unexpected scene partner he’d ever shared in his esteemed career. Sharing a scene with none other than George R.R. Martin, Redford made sure his last role left audiences with both a smile and a sting.

Redford and Martin appear together in a 30-second cameo during the season premiere. While playing a game of chess, it’s Martin’s move. Redford looks at him and says, “George, the whole world is waiting. Make a move.”

On the surface, he’s telling his buddy to hurry up and move a piece across the board. But for fans who’ve waited over a decade for Martin to deliver The Winds of Winter, the line landed as a pointed double entendre. According to a report, the quip wasn’t even in the final script — Redford ad-libbed the line after an earlier draft had been scrubbed of jokes referencing Martin’s unfinished saga. Director Chris Eyre confirmed the cameo had been in discussion since Season 1 but nearly didn’t happen. “It was in the air since the first season. Ye’iitsoh (Big Monster),” Eyre explained, noting that Martin initially declined to appear when writer John Wirth tried to sneak in a joke about The Winds of Winter. While Martin bowed out, Redford couldn’t resist slipping the line back in once cameras rolled.

How Did Robert Redford End Up in Dark Winds?

Both Redford and Martin served as executive producers on Dark Winds, drawn to the Tony Hillerman novels on which the AMC series is based. That connection opened the door for the cameo, which had first been floated as early as the Season 2 finale. Ultimately, it took until Season 3 for the idea to materialize — and for Redford to immortalize his sly jab at Martin.

It wasn’t the only memorable line from the scene, either. After a guard helps Martin seal victory on the chessboard, Redford turns and delivers his final words ever on-screen: “Thanks a lot.” Three understated words, marking the end of a career that spanned decades of Hollywood history.

Dark Winds — including the episode that features that game of chess between George R.R. Martin and Robert Redford — is streaming now on AMC+. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.