Game of Thrones is the most pirated television in history with Rolling Stone naming it one of the “greatest television shows of all time”. Whether they’re an honorable Stark, a fierce Targaryen, or a cunning Lannister, a mystifying Arryn, an enigmatic Greyjoy, or treacherous Frey, see the stars behind your favorite characters before they appeared in the lands of Westeros and Essos.
Peter Dinklage
Born with achondroplasia, a type of dwarfism, even as a struggling actor, Peter Dinklage turned down many roles in fantasy films out of the fear of being typecast as a magical dwarf or little person for the rest of his career. The American was author George R. R. Martin's first choice to play Tyrion Lannister in the series.
About the show, Dinklage said, “Game of Thrones is an amazing show, and I have no problem speaking of the virtues of HBO.” The actor has won three Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (2011, 2015 and 2018) and the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film (2012) for his performance as Tyrion Lannister.
Tyrion Lannister
Tyrion Lannister is one of the leading characters in the series. George R. R. Martin, the author of the book series on which the show is based, has stated Tyrion is his favorite character. The son of Tywin Lannister and younger brother of Cersei and Jaime Lannister, Tyrion uses his wit and intellect to overcome the prejudice he faces as a dwarf.
After being abducted and escaping from Catelyn Stark for a crime he did not commit, he is made acting Hand of the King and successfully defends King’s Landing against Stannis Baratheon at the Battle of Blackwater. Following being adjudged guilty for the death of Joffrey Baratheon, despite being guilty, he switches sides and becomes the Hand of the Queen to Daenerys Targaryen. He has appeared in every season of the show.
See where they were before GoT:
Maisie Williams
English actress Maisie Williams made her professional acting debut on Game of Thrones aged 14 where she plays Arya Stark of Winterfell. Williams was chosen from a pool of 300 actresses across England and remains part of the show’s principal cast. She has since appeared in a recurring role in Doctor Who as Ashildr in 2015, as well as made her film debut in 2014’s The Falling.
Arya Stark
Arya Stark is the third child and second daughter of Eddard Stark and Catelyn Stark. After escaping persecution at the hands of the Lannisters, she trains with the Faceless Man at the House of Black and White in Bravos, before venturing back home to exact revenge on those responsible for wronging her family. She has appeared in every season of the show.
Aidan Gillen
Irish actor Aidan Gillen began his career as a teenager with Dublin Youth Theatre before moving to London. His roles prior to Game of Thrones include Tommy Carcetti in the HBO series The Wire from 2004 to 2008, Stuart Alan Jones in the Channel 4 series Queer as Folk from 1999 to 2000, John Boy in the RTÉ series Love/Hate from 2010 to 2011, and CIA operative Bill Wilson in 2012’s The Dark Knight Rises.
These days, however, the Irishman is best known for his portrayal of Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish on Game of Thrones, having been part of the series for the first seven seasons.
Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish
Petyr Baelish, popularly called Littlefinger is the Master of Coin on the Small Council of both Robert Baratheon and his son Joffrey Baratheon. A skilled manipulator, he uses his brothel’s in Kings Landing to acquire intelligence on political rivals as well as acquire wealth. He later marries Lysa Tully and following her death, becomes Lord Protector of the Vale.
His treachery finally catches up in the season seven finale after his role in the deaths of Eddard Stark, Jon Arryn, and Lysa Arryn is revealed and he is executed.
Jason Momoa
A native of Hawaii, Jason Momoa played Ronon Dex on the military science fiction television series Stargate Atlantis from 2004 to 2009. The actor was first discovered by designers Eric Chandler and Takeo Kobayashi, who encouraged him to pursue a modeling career. This followed his casting as Jason Ioane on Baywatch Hawaii from 1999 to 2001.
This was followed by a series of television roles, as well as securing the title character in the 2011 sword and sorcery film Conan the Barbarian. Momoa reportedly won the role of Khal Drogo through his audition, in which he performed a Haka - one of many intimidating Māori ceremonial dances or challenges.
Khal Drogo
Khal Drogo was the chieftain of a Dothraki khalasar and referred to as “The Great Khal”. He was the first husband of Denaerys Targaryen and appears in seasons one and two. The Dothraki are famed nomadic horse-lords of the eastern continent beyond the Narrow Sea.
Known for being fierce warriors, skilled in battle, and unrelenting in combat as well as for their savagery towards non-Dothraki. Khal is a Dothraki term for a warlord.
Kristofer Hivju
Son of Norwegian actors Erik Hivju and Lieselotte Holmene, Kristofer Hivju acting credits prior to Game of Thrones include several local television shows, and the 2011 film The Thing. The actor, producer, and writer also appeared as Connor Rhodes in 2017’s The Fate of the Furious as well as in 2013’s After Earth.
He is a graduate of the Danish subdivision of the Russian Academy of Theatre Arts (GITIS) in Aarhus.
Tormund Giantsbane
Tormund, often called Tormund Giantsbane is a renown warrior and raider of the Free Folk, as well as one of the important leaders to throw their support behind Mance Rayder. After Mance is killed by Stannis Baratheon, he sides with his enemy-turned-friend Jon Snow. He has appeared in every season since season three.
Joe Dempsie
Known for his role as Chris Miles in the E4 teen comedy-drama Skins from 2007 to 2008, English actor Joseph Dempsie other acting credits include the medical dramas Peak Practice (2000), Doctors (2001, 2003), and Sweet Medicine (2003), as well as the films One for the Road and Heartlands (2003).
He also played Duncan McKenzie in 2009's The Damned United, and the villainous John in 2011’s The Fades. At one time Dempsie was the voice of the Clearasil advertisements in the UK.
Gendry
The character of Gendry has appeared in seasons one, two, three, and seven of the show. He is also slated to appear in the eighth and final season of the show. The skilled blacksmith, and unacknowledged bastard son of Robert Baratheon, he is traded multiple times before finally escaping and returning to King’s Landing.
After being found by Davos Seaworth, he joins Jon Snow to capture a wight to bring as a bargaining chip at the Parley in King’s Landing. He is the last known living person of the Baratheon bloodline.
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
A graduate of the Danish National School of Theatre in Copenhagen in 1993, Danish actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s breakthrough performance in his home country came in the 1994 film Nightwatch. He later made his U.S. film debut in 2001’s Black Hawk Down where he played Medal of Honor recipient Gary Gordon.
The actor then played Detective John Amsterdam in the Fox television series New Amsterdam (2008), as well as appearing as Frank Pike in the 2009 Fox television film Virtuality.
Jaime Lannister
The eldest son of Tywin Lannister, Jaime Lannister, is the younger twin brother of Cersei and the older brother of Tyrion. He was involved in an incestuous relationship with his sister and is the biological father of all her three children.
He previously served as a member of the Kingsguard of Aerys Targaryen, before literally stabbing him in the back (earning the name Kingslayer) in order to prevent the Mad King from burning all of King’s Landing. He subsequently serves in the Kingsguard of his brother-in-law, Robert Baratheon and later as Lord Commander to Robert’s successors, Joffrey and Tommen.
He eventually becomes the commander of the Lannister armies after being appointed by Queen Cersei but leaves his position to help the North face the White Walkers upon finding out his sister plans to betray a truce. He appears in every season of the show.
Gwendoline Christie
English actress Gwendoline Christie took up acting after injuring her spine as a child while training to become a gymnast. Upon graduation from Drama Centre London in 2005, she was told she “would probably never work because didn't look the same as most actors”, due to her abnormally tall physique, and was told by agent "well, good luck with that" after stating she would like to work on screen.
After appearing on stage, she eventually featured in minor roles on television and film including 2009’s The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. According to series co-writer, producer, and author of the novels, George R. R. Martin, Christie won the role of Brienne of Tarth basically without debate after an arresting audition at which she appeared already made up and costumed as the character.
Brienne Of Tarth
Brienne Tarth, commonly referred to as Brienne of Tarth, is a warrior of House Tarth who are vassals to House Baratheon. She is the only daughter of Selwyn Tarth. She appears in every season from season two onwards. After defeating Loras Tyrell to win the tournament held by Renly Baratheon, she is rewarded with a place in his kingsguard.
After Renly’s death she swears Catelyn Stark. Along the way she begrudgingly befriends Jaime Lannister as returning him safely would ensure the safe return of Sansa and Arya Stark. She eventually avenges Renly’s death by executing his brother Stannis confesses to his role in the plot. She eventually joins the remaining Stark children in season seven.
Jerome Flynn
Known for his roles as Paddy Garvey of the King's Fusiliers in the ITV series Soldier Soldier, and Fireman Kenny 'Rambo' Baines in the pilot of London's Burning, English actor Jerome Flynn is also one half of the musical duo Robson & Jerome who performed in the mid to late 1990s.
The pop duo released a version of “Unchained Melody’ which stayed at number one for seven weeks on the UK Chart, and sold more than a million copies. It was the best-selling single of 1995. They also had two more number one singles “I Believe” and “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted”. Their two albums also reached number one on the UK Albums Chart. The actor has been a vegetarian since age 18 and is a patron of the Vegetarian Society.
After almost 10 years away from acting, in July 2010 it was confirmed Flynn would be playing the role of Bronn on Game of Thrones.
Bronn
Appearing in every season of the show, Bronn of the Blackwater is a skilled and dangerous sellsword who champions for Tyrion Lannister in a trial by combat at the Eyrie. Subsequently, he becomes Tyrion’s personal bodyguard, and enforcer, eventually being given a knighthood, power, and wealth.
He is later sent to Dorne with Jaime Lannister to rescue Myrcella Baratheon. Later he accompanies Jaime to and from Riverrun, returning in time to witness Cercei being crowned Queen. He later saved Jaime’s life from Danaery’s dragon, Drogon.
Isaac Hempstead Wright
It’s quite hard to talk about a young Isaac Hempstead-Wright since he still is so young! Born in 1999, Hempstead-Wright started acting at a very, very young age.
Funnily enough, he had no interest in acting and only found out about his talent when he joined the drama club to avoid having to play football on cold Sunday mornings! Now that’s what you call a happy accident.
Bran Stark
Hempstead-Wright made his debut in the film ‘The Awakening’, but he became a household name playing the character of the young, and sometimes kind of freaky Bran Stark on the GOT.
We have seen him grow up on screen, and have witnessed his transformation from the baby faced little boy, into the mature young man he is today.
Liam Cunningham
Cunningham had quite a fascinating early life. Born in Dublin, he dropped out of school at 15 to pursue a career as an electrician. Cunningham then moved to Zimbabwe for three years to a Safari park where he trained Zimbabwean electricians! All this was before he decided to pursue acting and returned to London for acting classes.
Davos Seaworth
Before playing the loyal smuggler Davos Seaworth in the Game of Thrones, he starred in a number of other films including the horror ‘Dog Soldiers’ and ‘The Escapist’.
From electrician in Zimbabwe to actor in GOT, one thing you can’t say about Cunningham is that he hasn’t tried everything!
Nathalie Emmanuel
The first person who knew Emmanuel was destined for a life in the arts and entertainment industry was none other than her mother! In an interview with the New York Daily News, she said: "When I was 3, always cause drama that my mum decided maybe I should channel it properly—so she started me on acting, singing and dancing classes".
It certainly payed off. Already at the age of ten she was playing the role of a young Nala in the West End production of the musical Lion King.
Missandei
Emmanuel had on and off success in the entertainment industry, but since 2012 she has starred as Missandrei, Daenerys Targaryen’s interpreter in GOT.
It’s hard not to fall in love with the gorgeous actress! In a recent interview with Jimmy Kimmel, she admitted that she got the news about winning the role when she was working in a clothes store as a shop assistant!
Iain Glen
Glen was born and bred in Edinburgh, Scotland until moving to RADA in London post school to train in acting. Glen’s success started early, already in 1990, he won the Silver Best for Best Actor for his role in Silent Scream, a really freaky film about a convicted murderer.
Jorah Mormont
Now Glen is most well-known for his role as Ser Jorah Mormont in the Game of Thrones. It’s hard not to feel a surge of pity and admiration for the character he portrays so well. The honorable character who so clearly pines for Dany, pinches the heartstrings of viewers worldwide! Luckily in real life his love is returned.
Glen has a loving partner Charlotte Emmerson with whom he has two daughters.
Alfie Allen
Another actor with acting in his blood, Alfie Allen is the son of film producer Alison Owen and actor Keith Allen. Furthermore, his older sister is none other than Lily Allen. She even wrote a song about her beloved brother names ‘Alfie’! guess for Allen fame started way before his role on GOT.
Theon Greyjoy
Allen’s professional career started at an early age, he even starred alongside sister Lilly Allen in the movie ‘Elizabeth’ which was produced by their mother. But Allen only became a well-known household name when he was cast as Thin Greyjon in the GOT.
Rory McCann
Before embarking on his acting career path, McCann was a painter who studied at the Scottish School of Forestry. He worked as a bridge painter and landscaper gardener as well as a carpenter. Quite a change of scenery to the life of Hollywood fame he finds himself in now.
Sandor "The Hound" Clegane
McCann’s first acting gig as an extra did not turn out so well. He was fired due to his inability to control his laughter during scenes! However, clearly, he powered through and no successfully plays the very dangerous and skilled Sandor Clegane, nicknamed ‘The Hound’ in the GOT.
In real life, he is as interesting as it gets and is known for living a solitary and nomadic lifestyle often living on boats of places without modern conveniences.
Julian Glover
Glover was born in London to a BBC journalist and a BBC radio producer. He also rubbed shoulders with some very famous actors including Timothy West who plays Darth Vader and David Prowse!
Sign me up for whatever elementary school that was!
Grand Maester Pycelle
Glover has had one very successful and very long acting career, including playing iconic characters such as the James Bond villain Aristotle Kristatos and Walter Donovan in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. A little trivia: he was also the voice of the giant spider Aragog in Harry Potter!
He now plays the role of the Grand Maester Pycelle in GOT in which he perfectly captures a wise and sometimes sly old man.
Jon Bradley West
Bradley West was born and grew up as a Catholic to a religious family in the south of Manchester. He knew what he wanted to get into even as a young man and attended college where he studied Drama and Theatre Studies, graduating in 2010.
It didn’t take him long to get his career going and landed the role of Samwell Tarly in the G.O.T in 2011
Samwell Tarly
West is a favorite in the GOT series and as one critic put it, his character acts as "a wonderful comedic and cowardly yin to Jon's dour yang". Few people know but West’s character as Jon’s hand, Samwell Tarly, has a special place in the heart of original GOT author’s heart.
George R.R. Martin claimed that Samuel Tarly is the character most similar to him in the entire show!
Richard Madden
Madden was born in a small town outside of Glasgow where he grew up with elder and younger sisters. He had a very normal upbringing, his mother as a classroom assistant and his father was in the fire brigade.
Madden’s discover of acting came about because he joined the youth theatre program to help overcome his shyness!
Robb Stark
Madden has had quite a busy career since then, but he is most well-known for his role of Prince Kit in Disney’s Cinderella, and of course portraying Robb Stark in the Game of Thrones.
It was a pity his character got killed off so quickly since everyone enjoyed his betrayal of the loyal and brave eldest legitimate stark child (and of course his gorgeous looks)
The word around town these days is that he is one of the handful of fan favorites to embody James Bond in the new 007 movie! Let's wait and see...
Ian McElhinney
Ian McElhinney has had a career spanning more than thirty years! He started off his career starring in many TV shows popular in Northern Ireland. He also started his very own company with his actress wife, Marie Jones called Rathmore Productions Ltd.
Barristan Selmy
In recent times, McElhinney is most well-known for his role as Barristan Selmy in The Game of Thrones. Barristan has quite a name for himself in the world of Westeros and he is the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, although he is dismissed by Cersei when Robert Baratheon dies.
Emilia Clarke
This stunner was already set on an acting career at the tender age of three! Her father was a sound engineer and after seeing the musical ‘Show Boat’ in which her father was working, she knew the stage was where she belonged.
She later attended Drama Center London and continued working upwards until she got to where she is today!
Daenerys Targaryen
Daenerys Stormborn of the House Targaryen, 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. Her mouthful of a title matches her acting abilities. Clarke as wowed audiences with her acting abilities on GOT for years now.
Clarke's acting career is not isolated to GOT since then she has been racking in roles. she starred in the hit film Me Before You based on the bestselling book, and was cast as the female lead on Solo: A Star Wars Story.
Peter Vaughan
Before he made it big on screen, Peter Vaughan had a pretty normal upbringing. He was born was born in Wem, Shropshire and was the son of a bank clerk and a nurse. He speaks about his childhood in which he developed a love for poetry.
Maester Aemon
Unfortunately, Vaughan recently passed away at age 93 after a long and prosperous career. He made his first debut way back when in 1959 as a police officer in ‘The 39 Steps’. He had many other smaller and supporting roles throughout his life. His final role was Maester Aemon in GOT, a member of the Night’s Watch decades before the start of the series.
By the time the Game of Thrones begins, he is elderly and blind, but provides guidance to the men of the Watch- his wise aura shines through in this role.
Faye Marsay
Faye Elaine Marsay was born in North Yorkshire and, post her schooling, joined the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. She had her fair share of acting experience then, playing roles such as Sissy Jupe in Hard Times, and Runt in Disco Pigs.
Her road to fame was very quick- straight after graduation she landed a main role in the film ‘The White Queen’
The Waif
Marsay’s career has gone from strength to strength, but most of you will be familiar with her character as one of the most loyal killers of the Faceless Men who hated Arya with all her heart. The crazy thing is, some fans took their loyalty to Arya way to far and, after they witnessed Faye’s character violently stab Arya began getting abuse from fans on social media!
But she moved away from the abusive character and more recently has starred in films such as You, Me and Hum and Darkest Hour.
Sibel Kekilli
This beautiful German actress Kekilli stumbled into the world of acting by surprise. Kekilli was raised by fairly liberal parents, got excellent grades in school, and became a certified public administrator post-school. She then worked various jobs as a bouncer, cleaner, saleswoman and a pornographic film actress.
That is until a casting director spotted her at a mall and introduced her to the acting world.
Shae
Since being noticed, Kekilli has proved herself a brilliant actress, winning several prizes for her performance in ‘Head-On’ in Germany and of course, starring as the beautiful and enchanting Shae in Game of Thrones.
Fans delighted in watching Shae, the bewitching prostitute and Tyrion Lannister develop their relationship until the horrific ending which landed in her death.
Hannah Murray
Murray was born and raised in Bristol to a very academic household. Her father is a professor and her mother, a research technician. Murray had her lucky break at the young age of 16 when she heard about a young actor’s audition in her home town for the teen drama ‘Skins’.
She impressed the producers and landed the role and Cassie Ainsworth, a self-destructive teenager.
Gilly
Since her first well-received performance in ‘Skins’, Murray has been a busy woman, acting in several stage performances and of course, landing the role of a Wilding in the Game of Thrones. Murray’s character has one of the most disturbing family situations, she is one of the Free Folk, and is a daughter and wife of Craster.
She is the mother (and half-sister) of a baby named Sam, who was produced through a forced relationship with her late father. What is incredible about her character is that despite these crazy conditions, she never gives up hope.
Some of Murray's other recent acting projects include the award-winning Bridgend, a Danish film, and playing a young jewish intellectual in the movie The Chosen.
Ben Crompton
Crompton was born in 1974 in Stockport, Greater Manchester, England. He took a while to score his first acting role; when he was 28 he appeared in the film ‘All or Nothing’, since then he featured primarily in TV shows including the BBC sketch show ‘Man Stroke Woman’,
Eddison Tollett
The GOT star and 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.
Carice Van Houten
The art of acting was part of Van Houten’s life from childhood. Born in the Netherlands, her father was a writer and broadcaster and her mother was on the board of Dutch educational TV. As a girl, her parents raised her watching silent movies, and she has admitted I interviews she now prefers scenes with less dialog!
Melisandre
Carice starred in many smaller TV and theatre roles in the beginning of her career, and she always scored rave reviews for her performances. She is one of the most admired Dutch actresses around.
Her part as Melisandre is Game of Thrones showed off her talent to a wider audience. Her performance as the Red Woman who is responsible for reviving Jon Snow is chilling and powerful.
Jacob Anderson
Anderson was born and raised in Bristol. His father is of Afro-Caribbean descent. At the tender age of 17 he moved to London to pursue his music career, however his acting career was what took off with him scoring roles in TV series such as ‘Outnumbered’ and ‘Skins’
Grey Worm
Anderson appeared in the GOT only from the third season, where he was cast as Grey Worm, the leader of the Unsullied, a group of fierce slave-worriers. He is beautiful, loyal, and a pleasure to watch on-screen.
His music career has also been on the rise, he released his first album 'You're a Man Now, Boy' which got very positive reviews.
We are all excited to see where this talented actor/ singer goes next!
Charles Dance
Dance was born in Worcestershire to a cook and an engineer who had served in the Boer War in South Africa. Sadly, his father passed away when he was only 3 years old.
He always thought his father to be some 50 years old when he passed away but found out recently that his father was in fact 70 plus when he took part in the show ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ which is a British genealogy series.
Tywin Lannister
Dance was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company and even played the title role of Coriolanus at Stratford Upon Avon. He is most recently known for his role as Tywin Lannister in the GOT- the cruel, wealthy, and genius father of Cersei, Jaime, and Tyrion who audiences love to despise.
Natalie Dormer
Dormer’s early life was full of action and success. Head girl, first class student, vice-captain of the netball team, and she traveled the world with her school’s public speaking team.
When she just missed the requirements to get into Cambridge to study, she decided to go to drama school, and we are not complaining!
Margaery Tyrell
Dormer has had a series of roles including playing Anna Boleyn in ‘The Tudors’. She currently plays the beautiful Margaery Tyrell in the GOT, a woman whose desire to be queen is stronger than anything and eventually leads to her downfall.
She also played a part as Cressida, a competitor in The Hunger gamed: Mockingjay in 2014.
Sean Bean
As a child, Bean craved the spotlight, however it was not in a career of acting and rather in professional football! However, after smashing a glass door during an argument as a child, Bean sustained severe glass injuries to his leg which prevented him from a successful football career.
After that, Bean stumbled through a number of dramatic arts classes before realizing his talent and winning a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1981.
Eddard "Ned" Stark
Bean is one busy man despite only appearing in season one of GOT as the morally laden Ned Stark. He 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!
Jack Gleeson
Gleeson was born in Ireland and attended drama class growing up along with his sisters Rachel and Emma who are also actresses. he began acting at only seven where he scored roles in films such as ‘Batman Begins’ and ‘A Shine of Rainbows’.
Joffrey Baratheon
Although Gleeson became a household name for his performance as the evil Joffrey Baratheon in the ‘Game of Thrones’, through the experience of filming he realized he disliked acting and has since quit the profession to run his own touring theatre company- a brave move!
Roxanne McKee
McKee was born in Canada. Quite the smart cookie she completed her BA degree in Social Policy and Political Studies in the University of London. Her first break came when she won ‘Hollyoaks on the Pull’, a Channel 4 program to discover new talent for the popular British soap Hollyoaks.
Doreah
McKee continued on to different TV roles including ‘The Persuasionists’ and ‘EastEnders’ before being cast as Doreah in the Game of Thrones. Her performance as the seductive Doreah captured audiences, and we love her for teaching Dany exactly how to please Karl Drogo and become his partner.
Out of the GOT world McKee has been one busy lady. She starred in the American supernatural series Dominion and the movie The Legend of Hercules in 2015 among other projects.
Finn Jones
Jones knew acting was his future and after completing sixth form at Hayed School in Bromly, he trained at The Arts Educational Schools on a three-year acting course. He was dedicated to the art and even changed his birth name from Terrance to Finn to avoid confusion with the Monty Python actor, Terry Jones. His first break was appearing in the series Hollyoaks Later as a young man who falls in love with Hannah Ashwoth
Loras Tyrell
Jones is best known for staring as Ser Loras Tyrell in Game of Thrones. He plays the popular and highly skilled knight who is forced to abdicate his title and meets a cruel end (anyone sensing a theme?) at the hands of a typical Cersei plot. In real life. Jones has a big heart and in 2015 he assisted in raising money for Syrian Refugees. He has also extended his acting resume such as playing Danny Reed in The Defenders.
Kit Harington
Although he has stolen just about every girl’s heart by his deep performance and even deeper brown eyes, Harington was not always such a hottie, as clearly seen by the nerdy picture snapped of him way back when.
Harington did not always aim to achieve the acting success he has today and was adamant to try to pursue a career in journalism before his big break (hence the nerdy eye-wear?)
Jon Snow
Harington has a very interesting ancestry, Sir’s Lord’s and Baronet’s amongst his uncles, great uncles and grandparents. In fact, his great great grandfather on his paternal side was Charles II of England!
His acting has come a long way, as has his personal life. Harington tied the knot with his fellow GOT star Rose Leslie in June 2018.
Lena Headey
Headey had a flair for performing since she was a young girl, as a child she took ballet lessons and was noticed at the early age of 17 when performing in a school production.
Looking at a young Headey, it’s easy to see why she was picked to be the queen!
Cersei Lannister
These days Headey is one busy woman. Besides for trying to take over the world on screen, off screen she spends her time raising her children and fighting for several charitable causes she is involved with.
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.
Mark Stanley
Mark Stanley is yet another actor in the GOT cast whose career aspirations where far form acting back in the day. The English actor attended Prince Henry’s Grammar School, and in the program started dabbling in acting. He later changed his professional desires and graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Grenn
Since Mark graduated from acting school, his breakout role has been starring as Grenn in the ‘Game of Thrones’. Grenn’s character in Game of Thrones is quite heartbreaking as we learn that his father abandoned him, leaving him outside a farmhouse when he was only 3 years old before he joined the Night’s Watch.
Michelle Fairley
Fairley was born in Northern Ireland to Brian and Theresa Fairley who owned a pub in the area. Fairley worked on her performing abilities from a young age, attending Ulster Youth Theatre throughout her teenage years.
She even rubbed shoulders a future castmate, Conleth Hill who also was involved in the same Youth Theatre!
Catelyn Stark
Fairley has made it big later in her career with acting gigs in some of the biggest series on television like suits and of course, Game of Thrones. Interestingly, 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!
Michael McElhatton
McElhatton was born to a modest Irish family and lived on the outskirts of Dublin. He studied acting at Terenure College and later graduated from London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. He returned to his home town, Ireland, to peruse a career in television and scored a role in the short film titles ‘The Looser’. From then on, he appeared in numerous series and TV films in Ireland. He also took on screen wring and gained moderate success in the field.
Roose Bolton
In 2012 he Joined the GOT caste as a guest star but his performance as the disloyal villain, Lord Roose Bolton, was so well received that he stayed on as a regular- having time to betray lord Stark to the point of murdering him. The show put him back on the scene and in 2015 he played a protagonist in the horror film ‘The Hollow’
Owen Teale
Teale trained at the Guildford School of Acting before he made his first debut in television way back in 1984, appearing in ‘The Mimosa Boys’. After that he had a series of small successes with his roles in ‘War Requiem’ and 'Knights of God’.
Alliser Thorne
Despite his various appearances in films, he is most well-known for his GOT character, Ser Alliser Thorne. He gave a brilliant performance as the commander of the Night’s Watch who turns against Jon Snow and is later hanged for his betrayal. Teale has been married twice and has three children.
Anton Lesser
Lesser went to Moseley Grammar School in Birmingham and later the University of Liverpool before going to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, where he was rewarded with the Bancroft Gold Medal which went to the most promising actor of the year! After graduating he played a considerable number of roles in the Royal Shakespeare Academy before moving on to film.
Qyburn
Although Lesser has a long history of acting, he became known more broadly for his role as the unethical former master, Qyburn in The Game of Thrones. He portrays the scary and evil master who is kicked out the order for conducting illegal human experiments… can someone say freaky?
Conleth Hill
Like many other of his fellow GOT castmates, Hill was born in Northern Ireland back in 1964. His talent clearly runs in the family, his older brother is a cameraman, his sister a producer, and young brother is the sound engineer for the GOT!
Conleth started his journey to fame back in 2002 when he played a German Professor in a 2002 TV adaptation of ‘Goodbye, Mr. Chips’.
Varys
Hill has come a long way in his acting career, and is clearly very dedicated to his art. Believe it or not, in real life Hill has the most luscious locks. The actor is required to shave fully during filming GOT to embody his character, not that’s commitment to the cause!
Daniel Portman
Portman is the Scottish actor known for playing the flimsy Podrick Payne. Podrick had a pretty well-rounded childhood. Son of the actor Ron Donachie, he was the Head Boy of his school, Shawlands Academy, and played rugby throughout his school career. He began his acting career at the young age of 16.
Podrick Payne
Portman’s big break was when he was cast as Podrick Payne in GOT, a series that brought him many ardent supporters. His portrayal of this character has received overwhelmingly positive reviews. we are excited to see the future of Portman’s bright acting career!
Diana Rigg
You would never imagine from the old and wise character Rigg plays in GOT what a beautiful and sexy young lady she was back in the day! Rigg at quite an interesting upbringing, between the ages of two months and 8 years, Rigg lived in Bikaner, India, where her father worked as a railway executive. Hindi became her second language which she still uses to this day!
Olenna Tyrell
Riggs has had a successful and busy career. From winning that Tony Award for Best Actress for her title role in Medea, to the role of Olenna Tyrell in Game of Thrones, nothing will hold this power actress back from her career of over 30 years.
Sophie Turner
Turner is another star that practically grew up on the set of Game of Thrones. However, before her fame began, she had a wonderful and carefree childhood where she grew up in Northampton, England.
She was quoted in an interview with The Telegraph describing her environment during her childhood: "My childhood was pretty fun. We had pigsties, barns and a paddock, and used to muck around in the mud."
Sansa Stark
Despite her acting career success from a very early age on GOT, Turner did not give up on her academic goals having a tutor on set until she turned 16. 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.
Nowadays she can be seen on the hand of her fiance, Joe Jonas of the Jonas Brothers and of course portraying Jean Grey in the X-Men series!
Mark Addy
