These days, the world of Game of Thrones reigns supreme, and with anyone whose anyone discussing the latest dramas in this fantasy with more intensity than politics, it is sometimes hard to forget there is a real world too. Yup, in real life Sansa, Arya, and even John Snow have names, hobbies, and drama of their own. This list exposes the cast of GOT, showing how they look, and what they do when they are not training dragons or fighting over kingdoms. Enjoy!
Jon Snow
With his dark brooding eyes and his loyal nature, Jon Snow has always been an audience favorite. Brought up as a bastard son, Snow went through countless obstacles until he finally became the King of the North. And if his recent love affair with Dany didn’t get you all hot and bothered, you’re lying.
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Kit Harington
Although Harington’s aspirations when he was younger were to pursue journalism, his natural acting ability landed him his role is GOT and he has been making a name for himself ever since. His personal life has also come a long way with his recent engagement to fellow GOT star Rose Leslie had girls around the world in tears.
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Daenerys Targaryen
Daenerys Stormborn, First of Her Name, the Unburnt, Queen of the Andals and the First Men, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Breaker of Chains, and Mother of Dragons Targaryen has accomplished quite a bit in her life, as one could tell from her mouthful of a title. An unstoppable force making her way to becoming the ruler of the Seven Kingdoms with her dragons by her side, she certainly is a sight to behold.
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Emilia Clarke
When Clarke takes off her blonde wig and lets her real dark locks down, she is as breathtaking in real life as she is on GOT. She has made a name for herself as one of the most desired women around, being voted Esquires Sexiest Women Alive in 2015 and Was also voted most desired women by AskMen readers in 2014.
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Arya Stark
Much more than meets the eye, the sweet looking Arya Stark is one bad-ass assassinator who doesn’t flinch when it comes to punishing those who deserve it. Arya was forced to grow up very fast after she witnessed her father beheaded as well as her mother and brother cut down at the Red Wedding. Arya studied with the best at the House of Black and White assassin’s guild, making sure that this tough Stark girl knows her way around a sword
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Masie Williams
Quite opposite from the role she plays, in real life Maisie is as sweet as a button and considers herself a nerd as well as a bookworm. She has also made a name for herself through her views on feminism and has been vocal about gender inequality. You go girl!
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Cersei Lannister
While her incestuous relationship with twin brother, Jaime has always taken front and center stage, the many evil and malicious ways she tortures her enemies deserve a mention too. The only daughter of Tywin Lannister, Cersei is cruel and vein. However, despite her wicked character, the devotion she shows to her children is pretty incredible.
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Lena Headey
In real life, Heady is also one busy woman. However, her time is not spent on evil plots, rather she has kids to raise, causes to fight for and a career to work on. It is fascinating to note that despite her infamous role on GOT, back in 2013 Heady opened about her financial situation resulting from a nasty divorce and custody battle. Thankfully Heady seems to have fully recovered since then.
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Lord Varys
Known as ‘The Spider’ for the webs he spins as the secret knower in Westeros, Varys is always around when a plot twist is about to go down. Varys, former Master of Whisperers on the Small Councill, is a firm believer of a Targaryen restoration and is a Daenery's side as she makes moves for her kingdom.
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Conleth Hill
Believe it or not, in real life Hill has the most luscious locks. Hill is a film and stage actor and has performed in many productions in the United Kingdoms and the United States, receiving two Tony Award nominations. The actor is required to shave fully during filming GOT to embody his character, now that’s commitment to the cause!
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Bran Stark
Undoubtedly, Bran Stark is one of the most crucial players in this whole fight for control over the mythical lands of Westeros. With his eerie ways, Bran, the new three-eyes raven, is able to read people’s minds and can see the past and future. Many have some interesting theories about the role Bran will take in the upcoming season.
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Isaac Hempstead Wright
Hempstead-Wright had no intention of going into acting, but in a funny turn of events he joined the drama club in order to avoid playing football on Sunday mornings. One thing lead to another and he now has a flourishing acting career for someone of his age.
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Tormund Giantsbane
A character that never fails to bring some laughs to the show, Tormund is the renowned leader of the Wildlings which resulted from the killing of Mance Rayder. This fierce ginger-haired fighter has been integral to keeping Jon Snow safe while at Castle Black and has been throwing some significant looks towards Brienne of Tarth.
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Kristofer Hivju
The Norwegian actor comes from fame, with both his parents being famous Norwegian actors. He has earned acclaim not only for his acting abilities, but for his epic beard which has made him something of a beard icon worldwide.
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Tyrion Lannister
A personal favorite, Tyrion Lannister is the definition of dynamite coming in small packages. One of the quirkiest and funniest characters on GOT, Tyrion’s is able to outsmart anyone he needs to when he finds himself in sticky situations (which is pretty much on a constant basis). Although his siblings Cersei and Jaime never forgave him for ‘killing’ his mother by being born, Tyrion has created his own family, including Dany which is where his loyalties lie.
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Peter Dinklage
Dinklage, who self-identifies as a dwarf, is one of the highest paid actors on television. Although Dinklage admits he found his condition of achondroplasia challenging growing up, he has learned to have a sense of humor about it and has certainly not let it stop him from accomplishing anything he sets his mind too.
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Lord Petyr Baelish (Little Finger)
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One of the most well-connected people in Westeros, Baelish knows his way around politics, brothels, and conspiracies. We first met him as the Master of Coin on King Robert’s Small Council, and since then he has been involved in countless plots, always weaving his way into other people’s business. He held Catelyn Stark as his one true love right up until his death in the finale of the seventh season.
Aidan Gillen
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This Irish Actor has had his fair share of roles in prominent series including GOT, ‘The Wire’, and ‘Queer as Folk’. His acting career all started with Shakespeare when he scored the role of Nick Bottom in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ as a teenager.
Robert Baratheon
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Although Baratheon was once the courageous leader who beat the Mad King and claimed the throne, in his later years Robert was nothing more than a selfish and gluttonous leader. Part of the reason for his torment was that he never stopped pining for his true love, Lyanna Stark, Ned’s sister, all the while stuck in a heartless marriage to Cersei Lannister. His end was a pitiful one, Robert died in a stag hunt after being given extra strong wine by Cersei.
Mark Addy
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This English actor has starred in many popular films, including the Flintstones moves, ‘The Thin Blue Line’ and ‘The Full Monty’. Besides being a dedicated actor, Addy is also a dedicated family man. Happily married to wife Kelly J. Biggs for over 20 years, the couple share three children.
Khal Drogo
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This warlord of the Dothraki, with his braid going down to the floor to symbolize his many victories in war, was introduced to us in season 1 as Dany’s husband to be. Despite his brutish and uncivilized ways, the marriage between him and Daenerys Targaryen became one of real love and understanding. She was devastated when he died of a septic wound and names one of her beloved dragons after his memory.
Jason Momoa
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Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Momoa is multitalented and is both an actor, model, writer and director. This actor has a daughter and son with his beautiful wife, actress Lisa Bonet. One significant mark that stands out in his later work and can be seen on GOT, is his facial scar. But this is not a great make-up trick, Momoa was actually slashed in the face with a broken beer glass in 2008 by a customer in a California tavern and received around 140 stitched during reconstructive surgery!
Gendry
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This skilled blacksmith is the only legitimate son of King Robert Baratheon left standing after Joffrey's purge of Roberts “bastards”. Since escaping the island of Dragonstone he has been hiding in plain sight in Kings Landing. That is up until season 7 where he accompanies Davos and Jon Snow on their missions to capture a wight as proof to show Cersei. What this strapping young fellow has in store for us this coming season we can’t wait to find out! (here’s hoping him and Arya re-spark their flame)
Joe Dempsie
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Dempsie was not at all convinced he would score the role of Gendry during the casting of GOT. The character of Gendry is described as tall, muscular, with black hair, and he was none of those things
“I thought, 'I could dye my hair and hit the gym, but I can't stretch my legs!” Dempsie claimed. But low and behold, this British actor claimed the role and has been impressing the audience ever since.
Catelyn Stark
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The loving wife of Eddard was one of the first to suspect the Lannisters of being up to no good. Her mother instincts proved right, but despite her deep suspicion of the Lannister family, she was brutally killed at the Red Wedding alongside her son. Although she only appears in season one, her effects on characters such as Little Finger affects the GOT plot for many seasons after her demise.
Michelle Fairley
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The talented actress from Northern Island is known for her role in GOT, and other series such as ‘Suits’. Fairley has no children and is vocal about the fact that she never really had the ‘mommy gene’ that pushes women to have kids. Ironic since her character in GOT seems to have the best mother instincts around!
Eddard (Ned) Stark
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Eddard Stark is a perfect example of how being too good and naïve will never help one win the Game of Thrones. Naïve Ned was appointed Hand of the King by Robert against his will, and after trying to put some sense of honor and loyalty into Westeros, was awarded with nothing but trickery and his eventual death at the hands of Cersei’s son, Joffrey.
Sean Bean
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Bean started of his acting career in the classical production of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ way back in 1983. Bean is known in Hollywood as being down to earth, maybe because he has retained his Yorkshire accent despite living in London for many years now. He is also considered a sex symbol and was voted UK’s second sexiest man in 2004 bested only by Orlando Bloom! He has also been married five times, and divorced four.
Samwell Tarly
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Sam is a steward in the Nights Watch and Jon Snow’s best friend and hand. We were introduced to the sad young man in season one who had been forced to join the Nights Watch by his father under the threat of death. Though he has faced many obstacles, he has grown up and impressed everyone around him with his intelligence and insight.
John Bradley West
There is much to be learned about the actor who was born in Manchester and raised in a Catholic home. Audiences fell in love with him in season one since he provided the cowardly comic relief everyone needed in an otherwise super intense show. West is also a huge Manchester fans, and amongst his many talents, playing the drums is on top of his list!
Sansa Stark
A true Stark, Sansa has been faced with many challenges throughout her childhood including both her parent’s unfortunate death. However, this gorgeous red haired took it in her stride and, in season 7, proved that she is a force to reckon with when put in charge of Winterfell. With all that has befallen both her and her family, Sansa has also developed a cruel streak, clearly seen when she feeds Ramsay to the hounds.
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Sophie Turner
Much like her on-screen sister Maisie Williams, Turner grew up on the GoT set, having a tutor on set until she turned 26. She achieved high grades in school, but got a B in drama (which is ironic when you star in the most famous tv show around). Turner also adopted Zunni, the dog who played her on-screen dire wolf on the first season of GOT.
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Sandor ‘The Hound’ Clegane
It is clear one has to do something pretty significant to be nicknamed ‘The Hound’. A skilled worrier, he is known primarily for his facial scar, his fierce demeanor, and his total lack of chivalry. And where did the horrible scar come from? A not so innocent sibling fight when his brother burnt his face for taking his toy. No wonder he has an attitude.
Rory McCann
The Scottish actor, Rory McCann, looks a whole lot better in real life than his scary GOT alter ego. It seems, in reality, he is far from a hound, in fact, he was fired from his first acting job because he couldn’t help himself laughing between takes! He must have learned to control himself- since then he has appeared in other films such as ‘Alexander’ and of course, the Game of Thrones.
Missandei
Missandei is the beautiful slave girl who captures both the audience, and Dany’s heart with her wise ways. Missandei serves as Daenerys’s trusted advisor, and is loyal to the Mother of Dragons throughout the show.
Nathalie Emmanuel
In real life, Nathalie Emmanuel is just as talented as she is on GOT. As a child she acted in the West End production of The Lion King. Since her big break in the GOT, Emmanuel’s career has soared scoring roles in big films like ‘Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials’, ‘Furious 7’, and ‘The Fate of the Furious’.
Dickon Tarly
This athletic, skilled, and rather beautiful swordsman may not be the brightest, but his loyalty to his family is more than endearing. Tarly is the second and favored son or Lord Randyll Tarly. We saw the limit of his loyalty when, after being captured by Deanery, is sentenced to death by dragon fire for not bending the knee.
Tom Hopper
Tom Hopper is as cute in real life as he is in medieval outfits. The English actor specializes in television, appearing in Merlin, Doctor Who, Casualty, Game of Thrones and Tormented. He is also a family man in reality, much like in GOT, and is married with one son.
Ellaria Sand
Ellaria is a character who we watched be treated nearly more cruelly than anyone else when Cersei forced her to watch her daughter drink poison and die before her eyes. Ellaria is presented as bisexual in the GOT as well as being a bastard daughter of Prince Martell. Clearly- her character is a little more than complex.
Indira Varma
In real life, Varna is a very busy woman, starring in films throughout her career such as ‘Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love’ and TV series ‘The Canterbury Tales’, ‘Rome’, ‘Luther’, and of course, Game of Thrones. She lives in England with her actor husband Colin Tiernet and their daughter
Margaery Tyrell
Margaery Tyrell is one determined woman. Her eyes set on being queen, her character will do pretty much anything to claim the crown. She becomes queen of Consort through her marriage to King Joffrey Baratheon, then later marries his brother too, however, eventually it is her desire for the throne that is her downfall.
Natalie Dormer
Natalie Dormer is breathtakingly beautiful off-screen. The English actress has earned praise for her acting abilities, especially with her stand out performance as Anne Boleyn on the series ‘The Tudors’. Dormer takes acting very seriously, and claims that Kate Blanchett is one of the core actresses she admires.
Davos Seaworth
A knight and former smuggler, Seaworth is always in on the action, including persuading Melisandre to resurrect Jon. After this he becomes one of Jon’s lieutenants and can be seen at his side constantly.
Liam Cunningham
In reality, Cunningham is the Irish actor who lives with his wife and three children in Dublin while juggling his busy acting career. He is most well-known for his role in GOT, but he has also acted in films such as ‘Into the West’ and ‘Jude’.
Benjen Stark
The dark, brooding and mysterious Benjen Stark is rarely seen in GOT but he makes a huge impact. He was the First Ranger of the Nights Watch, and did not return after a trip to the North. That is until he sacrifices himself seasons down the line to save his nephew Jon Snow.
Joseph Mawle
Not much is known about Mawle who tends to keep his personal life private. The actor, born in Oxford, is most well known for his role on GOT, but has also appeared in movies such as ‘Soundproof’ and ‘Heartless’
Archmaester Ebrose
As Archmaester, Ebrose is one of the most senior members of the order and thus, hold quite a bit of power. But audiences are bound to get annoyed with his reluctance to believe Samwell about the White Walkers and his strict treatment of poor Samwell throughout his stay at the Citadel.
Jim Broadbent
Broadbent is an actor with plenty awards under his belt including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Iris and the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Moulin Rouge! Then, of course, there was his appearance in Harry Potter as Professor Slughorn. Jim also happens to be an avid supporter of Everton FC and holds a season ticket at Goodisen Park.
Brienne of Tarth
Brienne of Tarth is a character to be reckoned with. The sole heir of House Tarth, she is expected to marry someone from another house but due to her personality and physicality, she remains strong and single. Brienne is tall and muscular for a woman and her dream is to become a knight as we watch her struggle to find a place in the world of Westeros
Gwendoline Christie
For Christie, acting was her second choice. The actress and model had first set out to pursue a career in gymnastics before a spine injury left her unable to continue. Her latest role was Captain Phasma in 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi', but her career includes many other theatrical performances such as portraying Mag Wildwood in ‘Breakfast at Tiffany's’, and Lucifer in Marlowe's ‘Doctor Faustus’. She is most well-known for her role in GOT.
Olenna Tyrell
Lady Olenna is, Underatedly, the sneakiest plotter in the GOT series. Known for her wit and sarcasm, for most of the series she reigns supreme as Casterly Rock. That is until Jaime Lannister and his army sack Highgarden and force Olenna to drink poison. However, Olenna makes sure to get the last laugh when she reveals before her death that she is the one who killed Joffrey.
Diana Rigg
Rigg is an English actress who has had a very successful career in theatre as well as TV. She played the title role in ‘Medea’ for which she won a Tony Award. Rigg is one interesting character, an outspoken critic of feminism, she has been married three times and was described by Michael Parkinson back in 1972 as the most desirable woman he ever met, who "radiated a lustrous beauty". These days she is most well known for her role on GOT.
Theon Greyjoy
Greyjoy’s loyalty is … fleeting, but his decisions are based on his survival. He goes through many challenged throughout the series including being tortured and forced into servitude by Ramsay Snow. Theon is a skilled archer and a cocky and arrogant character.
Alfie Allen
Whether you know it or not, if you are a Lilly Allen fan (and you should be) you have heard a song written about Alfie. She wrote a song, fittingly names ‘Alfie’ is about her little brother, Alfie Allen. Allen comes from a seriously talented family; his third cousin is none other than Sam Smith! His breakout role was Theon Greyjoy in the GOT series.
Eddison Tollet
Eddison Tollet is a brother on the Night’s Watch, and close friends with all the cool kids in GOT including Jon Snow, Samwell Tarly, Grenn, and Pypar. He has proved his loyalty and usefulness to Jon Snowtime and time again including taking command of the Wall when Jon went to battle.
Ben Crompton
Crompton is an English actor known as one of the stars on the BBC sketch show ‘Man Stroke Woman’, and of course his role on GOT. The Newcastle dad of two revealed in an interview that he almost missed out on his GOT role of a lifetime since he thought it may clash with other projects he was working on.
“Can you imagine the mistake!” he says now of the world-popular series that has taken television by storm.
Podrick Payne
Podrick Payne, often referred to just as ‘Pod’, was the squire of Tyrion Lannister and even saved his life during the Battle of Blackwater. However, he then gave up on those services and is now loyal to Brienne of Tarth.
Daniel Portman
The Scottish actor has had a pretty well-rounded life so far. Graduating as Head Boy in his final year at school where he also played rugby,650he then went on to earn honors in acting and performed throughout his college career. He has been acting since he was 16, his first role in 2010’s ‘Outcast’. His most popular character so far must be ‘Pod’ which earned positive reviews.
Joffrey Baratheon
Good old Joffrey Baratheon must be one of the most unlikeable characters in the entire GOT series. The bastard son born from Cersei’s incestuous relationship with her twin brother and believed to be the son of King Baratheon, his short reign is filled with cruelty and torture of those around him.
