Game of Thrones' Royalty: The Highest Paid Actors
Hello, Thrones fans! Today, we're diving into the lavish world of Westeros to reveal who among the highest paid actors on Game of Thrones were. These actors didn't just bring our favorite characters to life; they also earned a fortune doing so. So, grab your mug of ale, and let's get started! Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and highest paid actors on game of thrones.
The Early Days: Season 1-3
In the beginning, the cast of Game of Thrones was like any other, with a mix of established and up-and-coming actors. But as the show's popularity grew, so did their paychecks.
The Main Ensemble
In the first few seasons, the main cast was led by Sean Bean (Eddard Stark), Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister), and Charles Dance (Tywin Lannister). Alongside them were Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen), Kit Harington (Jon Snow), and Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister). While their exact salaries aren't public, it's estimated that by Season 3, the main cast was making around $150,000 per episode.
The Big Bucks: Season 4-8
As Game of Thrones became a global phenomenon, the cast's paychecks grew accordingly. Here's where things start to get really interesting.
The A-List: Dinklage, Clarke, and Harington
By Season 4, Peter Dinklage, Emilia Clarke, and Kit Harington had become household names. They negotiated new contracts that saw them earning $500,000 per episode. That's right, folks! Each episode of Game of Thrones was making these three actors $10 million per season.
The Supporting Cast
The rest of the cast wasn't left behind, either. Actors like Lena Headey, Charles Dance, and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister) also saw significant raises, with estimates putting their salaries at around $250,000 per episode by the final seasons.
The Latecomers: Making Their Mark
Some actors joined the cast later but still managed to command impressive salaries.
Liam Cunningham (Davos Seaworth)
Cunningham joined the cast in Season 2 but didn't become a series regular until Season 3. By Season 6, he was reportedly making $175,000 per episode.
Gwendoline Christie (Brienne of Tarth)
Christie joined the cast in Season 2 and became a series regular in Season 4. By the final seasons, she was reportedly earning $150,000 per episode.
The Winds of Winter: What Could Have Been
With the original books' final installment still unpublished, Game of Thrones ended without a true conclusion. Had the show continued, it's likely that the cast would have continued to negotiate higher salaries. But alas, we'll never know what could have been.
Beyond the Screen: Their Fortunes Today
The actors of Game of Thrones have gone on to star in various films and TV shows, commanding even higher salaries. Here's a quick rundown:
- Emilia Clarke has starred in films like Me Before You and Solo: A Star Wars Story, and is set to appear in the upcoming The Amazing Spider-Man 3. - Kit Harington has appeared in films like The Death and Life of John F. Donovan and The Eternals, and is set to star in the upcoming The Flash. - Peter Dinklage has had roles in films like X-Men: Days of Future Past and The Croods, and is set to star in the upcoming The Mandalorian spin-off series.
And there you have it, folks! A comprehensive look at the highest paid actors on Game of Thrones. It's clear that the show's success translated into massive paydays for its cast. But hey, if you're going to rule the Seven Kingdoms, you might as well get paid like a king, right?