Meet the Cast of Game of Thrones: A Comprehensive Guide
Hello, Game of Thrones enthusiasts! If you're here, you're probably as obsessed with the cast of this epic series as we are. So, grab a seat, pour yourself a cup of something warm (or cold, we don't judge), and let's dive into the fascinating world of the Game of Thrones cast. We'll explore who they are, how they landed their roles, and some interesting behind-the-scenes stories. Buckle up, guys, it's going to be a wild ride! Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and cast of got.
The Stark Family: Winter is Coming
Sean Bean as Eddard "Ned" Stark
Kicking off our list is the late, great Sean Bean, who played the honorable Eddard "Ned" Stark. Ned was the patriarch of House Stark, and his tragic fate set the stage for the entire series. Sean was cast after a lengthy audition process, during which he read for several roles. However, the producers were so impressed by his audition for Ned that they knew they had found their man.
Fun fact: Sean Bean is known for playing characters who meet untimely ends. He's been killed off in almost every TV show and movie he's been in, including Game of Thrones, The Lord of the Rings, and GoldenEye. But hey, someone's got to do it, right?
Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister
Next up, we have Lena Headey as the cunning and ruthless Cersei Lannister. Lena auditioned for several roles before landing the part of Cersei. She initially tried out for the role of Catelyn Stark but was ultimately deemed too young for the part. However, the producers were so impressed by her audition that they created the role of Cersei just for her.
Fun fact: Lena Headey is actually good friends with her on-screen twin sister, Jaimie Lannister, played by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau. They've been known to prank each other on set, with Lena once putting a whoopee cushion on Nikolaj's chair during a particularly intense scene.
Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister
No list of the Game of Thrones cast would be complete without Peter Dinklage, who brought the brilliant and witty Tyrion Lannister to life. Peter was cast after a lengthy search for an actor who could capture Tyrion's intelligence, wit, and emotional depth. He was initially hesitant to take the role, fearing that it would typecast him as a fantasy actor. But he ultimately decided to take a chance on the show, and we're glad he did!
Fun fact: Peter Dinklage is a passionate advocate for disability rights. He was born with achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism, and has used his platform to raise awareness about the challenges faced by people with disabilities.
The Lannisters: Hear Me Roar
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister
Jaime Lannister, Cersei's twin brother and lover, is played by the charismatic Nikolaj Coster-Waldau. Nikolaj was cast after a lengthy search for an actor who could capture Jaime's complex and evolving character. He was initially hesitant to take the role, fearing that it would typecast him as a villain. But he ultimately decided to take a chance on the show, and his portrayal of Jaime has become one of the most beloved and complex characters in the series.
Fun fact: Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is actually a trained fencer, which came in handy during the many sword-fighting scenes he had to film as Jaime. He even taught some of his co-stars how to fence, including Kit Harington and Peter Dinklage.
Charles Dance as Tywin Lannister
The late, great Charles Dance played the formidable Tywin Lannister, patriarch of House Lannister and one of the most powerful men in Westeros. Charles was cast after a lengthy search for an actor who could capture Tywin's power, cunning, and ruthlessness. He was initially hesitant to take the role, fearing that it would typecast him as a villain. But he ultimately decided to take a chance on the show, and his portrayal of Tywin has become one of the most iconic performances in the series.
Fun fact: Charles Dance is actually a trained ballet dancer, which he studied at the Royal Ballet School in London. He once joked that his ballet background helped him capture Tywin's grace and elegance on screen.
The Targaryens: Fire and Blood
Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen
Emilia Clarke brings the fire-breathing dragon queen, Daenerys Targaryen, to life. Emilia was cast after a lengthy search for an actor who could capture Daenerys' strength, vulnerability, and transformation from a shy young woman into a powerful ruler. She was initially hesitant to take the role, fearing that it would typecast her as a fantasy actress. But she ultimately decided to take a chance on the show, and her portrayal of Daenerys has become one of the most iconic performances in the series.
Fun fact: Emilia Clarke is a passionate advocate for brain injury awareness and research. She suffered two life-threatening brain aneurysms in 2011 and 2013, and has since become an outspoken advocate for the cause.
Kit Harington as Jon Snow
Kit Harington plays the honorable and resourceful Jon Snow, bastard son of Ned Stark and a key player in the battle against the White Walkers. Kit was cast after a lengthy search for an actor who could capture Jon's complexity, emotional depth, and physicality. He was initially hesitant to take the role, fearing that it would typecast him as a fantasy actor. But he ultimately decided to take a chance on the show, and his portrayal of Jon has become one of the most beloved and complex characters in the series.
Fun fact: Kit Harington is actually a trained boxer, which came in handy during the many fight scenes he had to film as Jon Snow. He even taught some of his co-stars how to box, including Sophie Turner and Maisie Williams.
The Baratheons: Stormborn
Mark Addy as Robert Baratheon
Mark Addy plays the charismatic and larger-than-life Robert Baratheon, king of Westeros and best friend of Ned Stark. Mark was cast after a lengthy search for an actor who could capture Robert's charm, wit, and physicality. He was initially hesitant to take the role, fearing that it would typecast him as a fantasy actor. But he ultimately decided to take a chance on the show, and his portrayal of Robert has become one of the most beloved performances in the series.
Fun fact: Mark Addy is actually a trained musician, and he often brought his guitar to set to play during breaks. He even wrote and performed a song for the show's fourth season, which was featured in the episode "The Watchers on the Wall."
Liam Cunningham as Davos Seaworth
Liam Cunningham plays the loyal and resourceful Davos Seaworth, a former smuggler turned advisor to Stannis Baratheon. Liam was cast after a lengthy search for an actor who could capture Davos' wisdom, humor, and emotional depth. He was initially hesitant to take the role, fearing that it would typecast him as a fantasy actor. But he ultimately decided to take a chance on the show, and his portrayal of Davos has become one of the most beloved performances in the series.
Fun fact: Liam Cunningham is actually a trained sailor, which came in handy during the many scenes he had to film on the show's ships. He even helped some of his co-stars learn how to sail, including Stephen Dillane and Carice van Houten.
The Wildlings: Beyond the Wall
Rose Leslie as Ygritte
Rose Leslie plays the fierce and independent wildling, Ygritte. Rose was cast after a lengthy search for an actor who could capture Ygritte's strength, vulnerability, and chemistry with Kit Harington's Jon Snow. She was initially hesitant to take the role, fearing that it would typecast her as a fantasy actress. But she ultimately decided to take a chance on the show, and her portrayal of Ygritte has become one of the most beloved performances in the series.
Fun fact: Rose Leslie is actually engaged to her on-screen love interest, Kit Harington. The two met on set and started dating in 2012, and they announced their engagement in 2017. They got married in 2018 in a beautiful ceremony in Scotland.
Iain Glen as Jorah Mormont
Iain Glen plays the loyal and honorable Jorah Mormont, a former Night's Watch brother turned advisor to Daenerys Targaryen. Iain was cast after a lengthy search for an actor who could capture Jorah's complexity, emotional depth, and physicality. He was initially hesitant to take the role, fearing that it would typecast him as a fantasy actor. But he ultimately decided to take a chance on the show, and his portrayal of Jorah has become one of the most beloved performances in the series.
Fun fact: Iain Glen is actually a trained pilot, and he often brought his plane to set to fly during breaks. He even took some of his co-stars up for a ride, including Emilia Clarke and Peter Dinklage.
The Greyjoys: Salt and Steel
Alfie Allen as Theon Greyjoy
Alfie Allen plays the complex and troubled Theon Greyjoy, son of Balon Greyjoy and ward of Ned Stark. Alfie was cast after a lengthy search for an actor who could capture Theon's complexity, emotional depth, and physicality. He was initially hesitant to take the role, fearing that it would typecast him as a fantasy actor. But he ultimately decided to take a chance on the show, and his portrayal of Theon has become one of the most complex and controversial characters in the series.
Fun fact: Alfie Allen is actually the younger brother of singer Lily Allen. He often talked about how supportive she was of his career, and how she helped him get through some of the more challenging scenes in the show.
Gemma Whelan as Yara Greyjoy
Gemma Whelan plays the fierce and independent Yara Greyjoy, sister of Theon and heir to the Iron Islands. Gemma was cast after a lengthy search for an actor who could capture Yara's strength, vulnerability, and chemistry with Alfie Allen's Theon. She was initially hesitant to take the role, fearing that it would typecast her as a fantasy actress. But she ultimately decided to take a chance on the show, and her portrayal of Yara has become one of the most beloved performances in the series.
Fun fact: Gemma Whelan is actually a trained comedian, and she often brought her sense of humor to set to lighten the mood during breaks. She even performed some of her comedy sketches for her co-stars, including Alfie Allen and Sophie Turner.