The Game of Thrones cast was one of the best ensembles in TV history, with many actors continuing to deliver impressive performances after its ending.
The HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones gave its cast breakthrough roles and career-defining characters to play over eight seasons. Casting directors Nina Gold and Robert Sterne were tasked with assembling the Game of Thrones cast for the pilot beginning in 2009. Only actors Peter Dinklage and Sean Bean were offered their roles upfront. The other dozens of actors making up the main Game of Thrones cast had to earn their spots through readings and screen tests.
While the original unaired Game of Thrones pilot led to recasting key roles, the show eventually found its lineup. The show perfectly blended complete unknowns and young actors with seasoned character actors to create an award-winning ensemble. Since Game of Thrones ended in 2019, some cast members have taken on completely different roles while others have left the door open to return to Westeros.
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Emilia Clarke – Daenerys Targaryen
No Game of Thrones cast member went through a greater transformation than Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen. Her journey began in an arranged marriage to the Dothraki warlord Khal Drogo and ended as queen of the Seven Kingdoms. Although her ending was tragic, Daenerys endures as one of television’s most memorable characters. Clarke has entered other franchises outside of Game of Thrones, playing Qi’ra in Solo: A Star Wars Story and G’iah in Marvel’s Secret Invasion. She also produced and starred in the 2023 science-fiction rom-com The Pod Generation.
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Sophie Turner – Sansa Stark
Sophie Turner’s Game of Thrones character, Sansa Stark, got what she wanted when she became a queen at series’ end. After being used as a pawn by the Lannisters and Littlefinger, she took control of her destiny and became queen of Winterfell. Turner has yet to find the same level of success outside of Game of Thrones. Her two-film run as Jean Gray in the X-Men franchise didn’t quite pan out. She had a main role in the 2022 miniseries The Staircase. In 2023, Turner is filming the starring role in the British series Joan based on the life of notorious jewel thief Joan Hannington.
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Maisie Williams – Arya Stark
Dreaming of knighthood, Arya Stark was on her own after Ned’s execution. She trained with the Faceless Men and traveled with The Hound before enacting revenge on House Frey for the Red Wedding. Returning home, Arya defended the realm in the Battle of Winterfell and killed the Night King. She finished the series intent on seeing what lies west of Westeros. Actress Maisie Williams starred in the final Sony X-Men film New Mutants, but the movie fell flat. On television, Williams tackled the miniseries Two Weeks to Live and Pistol. Her next role is as Catherine Dior, sister of fashion designer Christian Dior, in the AppleTV+ series The New Look.
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Lena Headey – Cersei Lannister
Cersei Lannister was a constant antagonist throughout Game of Thrones. She was at odds with every major character, including her brother and lover Jaime. Cersei relentlessly pulled whatever string necessary to keep her family in power. By season 7, she ruled over Westeros. She ultimately died in the crumbling Red Keep during Daenerys’ attack on King’s Landing. Post-Game of Thrones, Lena Headey has starred in dramas such as Twist, Gunpowder Milkshake, and 9 Bullets. She has performed as a voice actor in the animated series The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance and Masters of the Universe: Revelation. Headey had a starring role in the 2023 HBO miniseries White House Plumbers.
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Kit Harington – Jon Snow
Arguably Game of Thrones’ main character, Jon Snow became a fan-favorite. First, he defended the Wall, and he later returned south to warn the Seven Kingdoms about the Night King. Through death, resurrection, the Battle of the Bastards, and more, Snow became a heroic figure. His secret Targaryen lineage complicates his relationship with Daenerys, and ultimately, it was Jon who killed the Mother of Dragons. Game of Thrones ends with Jon exiled to the Night’s Watch. After, Kit Harington joined the MCU as Dane Whitman in Eternals. On TV, he was featured in Extrapolations and Modern Love. Now, Harington is developing a Game of Thrones spinoff centered on Jon Snow.
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Pedro Pascal – Oberyn Martell
Oberyn Martell joined the cast of Game of Thrones in season 4, arriving in King’s Landing bent on revenge for crimes against his family. He served on the jury during Tyrion’s trial and acted as his champion in a trial by combat against The Mountain. Oberyn suffered a gruesome death but not before becoming one of Game of Thrones’ best characters. Perhaps no other actor has had more success outside the show than Pedro Pascal. He leads two critically acclaimed series: The Mandalorian and The Last of Us. His upcoming films include the Ethan Coen-directed Drive-Away Dolls and Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2.
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Richard Madden – Robb Stark
Robb Stark grew up quickly on Game of Thrones, becoming Lord of Winterfell and leading the Northern bannermen into war after his father’s death. He proved to be an underestimated military leader and won several key victories. However, it was the politics and backstabbing in Westeros that sealed his fate. Robb died alongside his mother, wife, and unborn child at the Red Wedding. Following Game of Thrones, Madden has had supporting roles in successful films like Rocket Man and 1917. He took a leading role in Marvel’s Eternals and earned praise as the lead in the British series Bodyguard. Madden co-stars in the 2023 series Citadel.
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Gwendoline Christie – Brienne of Tarth
Brienne of Tarth may be the only Game of Thrones character who kept her moral integrity throughout the entire series. Her dedication and loyalty, first to Renly Baratheon and later to Catelyn and Sansa Stark, became her defining characteristics. Brienne’s only lapse in judgment was thinking Jaime would choose anyone over Cersei. Brienne became the first female knight in Westeros and commanded an army in the Battle of Winterfell. Game of Thrones ends with Brienne named commander of the Kingsguard. Gwendoline Christie jumped to the Star Wars universe as Captain Phasma in two movies. She plays a main role in Netflix’s Wednesday and is set to join Severance season 2.
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Sean Bean – Eddard Stark
Eddard “Ned” Stark’s decisions laid the groundwork for every major event in Game of Thrones. First, he chose to keep Jon Snow’s identity a secret. Then, he agreed to serve as Robert Baratheon’s Hand of the King. When he discovered Cersei’s children were Jaime’s, he was kidnapped by Littlefinger and imprisoned. Ned’s execution became one of the most shocking TV deaths of all time. Following Game of Thrones, Sean Bean’s most successful film was The Martian. He has also appeared in the Snowpiercer series. Bean’s credits include several British films and TV series, as well as voice actor roles. He starred in the 2023 box-office bomb Knights of the Zodiac.
