Game of Thrones cast — where are they now?

Where is the Game of Thrones cast now? For eight long years, HBO’s Game of Thrones was the biggest TV series around, with legions of fans desperate to know which of the greedy lords and ladies of Westeros would get their sweaty mitts on the Iron Throne

Even now, Game of Thrones is widely recognized as one of the best fantasy series ever made and potentially one of the best TV series ever as well (Yes, we know you didn’t like the ending; we’ve read your tweets).

Still, it’s been a couple of years now since the Thrones cast rode off into the sunset, so we thought it’d be fun to take a look at what some of the major players — from Peter Dinklage’s Tyrion Lannister to Emilia Clarke’s Daenerys Targaryen — have been up to since leaving the show. Here’s where the Game of Thrones cast is now… and no, we haven’t included any of the Game of Thrones dragons.

Game of Thrones cast members introduced in season 1

• Sean Bean as Ned Stark
• Michelle Fairley as Catelyn Stark
• Kit Harington as Jon Snow
• Richard Madden as Robb Stark
• Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark
• Maisie Williams as Arya Stark
• Isaac Hempstead Wright as Bran Stark
• Alfie Allen as Theon Greyjoy
• Mark Addy as Robert Baratheon
• Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister
• Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister
• Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister
• Charles Dance as Tywin Lannister
• Jack Gleeson as Joffrey Baratheon
• Rory McCann as Sandor “The Hound” Clegane
• Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen
• Iain Glen as Ser Jorah Mormont
• Jason Momoa as Khal Drogo
• Harry Lloyd as Viserys Targaryen
• John Bradley as Samwell Tarly
• James Cosmo as Jeor Mormont
• Aidan Gillen as Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish
• Conleth Hill as Varys
• Jerome Flynn as Bronn
• Joe Dempsie as Gendry
• Sibel Kekilli as Shae

Sean Bean as Ned Stark

In a traditional fantasy series where virtue trumps political double-dealing, the honorable Ned Stark would have ended up the king of Westeros and ushered in an age of prosperity the likes of which the Seven Kingdoms had never seen. As this is Game of Thrones, though, Ned lost his head before season 1 had even wrapped up. At least he didn’t live to see what happened to the rest of his family.

Only one man could play a character who’s famous for dying: an actor who’s famous for dying. We’re talking, of course, about the inimitable Sean Bean, a veteran actor who’s probably best known for two roles, Richar Sharpe in Sharpe and Boromir, nobody’s favorite of the Lord of the Rings characters.

Michelle Fairley as Catelyn Stark

The mother of wolves, Catelyn Stark, went from a worried mother to a major political player in The War of the Five Kings. Unfortunately, in the end, her maternal instincts got the better of her, and she freed Jamie Lannister, ultimately leading to her own death at the Red Wedding.

Catelyn was played by Michelle Fairley, an extremely accomplished actor who’s been working since the late ’80s. You may recognize her from films like The Others, In the Heart of the Sea, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1, where she played the mum of everyone’s favorite Harry Potter character, Hermione Granger.

Still, her biggest roles have arguably been on the small screen. Most notably, she played Ava Hessington in Suits, Margot Al-Harazi in 24: Live Another Day, and Marian Wallace in Gangs of London. You can see her next in The Gone.

Kit Harington as Jon Snow

Originally introduced as the bastard son of Ned Stark, Jon Snow takes the Black and joins the Night’s Watch to protect the realm from grumpkins and snarks (Or at least that’s what Tyrion says), but his time at The Wall shapes him into a brave warrior and leader. Eventually, it’s revealed that he’s not a bastard but the true heir to the Iron Throne, a fact that drives his aunt (and lover) Daenerys insane.

Jon was Harington’s first major role, but since playing the young bastard, he’s gone on to appear in TV series like Gunpowder for the BBC and feature films like Pompei and Spooks the Greater Good. You’ll probably know him best from the Marvel movie Eternals where he played Dane Whitman, aka the Black Knight.

You can see Harington next in the thriller Blood for Dust, and he’s reportedly working on a Jon Snow spin-off called ‘Snow’. We asked an AI to write Snow, and it went badly.

Richard Madden as Robb Stark

The King in the North’s reign may have been short, but Robb Stark gave the Lannister lions a run for their money, beating them in nearly every battle he fought. Still, Robb was ultimately undone, like his father before him, by trusting those undeserving of his faith.

The Freys slaughtered Robb at the Red Wedding, but the King in the North wasn’t the last wolf to visit The Twins, as Old Walder would learn when Arya fed him a delicious meat pie.

A working actor since 2000, Robb Stark was arguably Richard Madden’s breakout role, but he’s gone on to bigger and better things. These days, he’s probably recognized more for playing Ikaris in the MCU movie The Eternals than he is for Thrones, and who could forget his fantastic BBC series Bodyguard? You can watch him now on Prime Video’s Citadel.

Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark

The eldest daughter of Ned and Catelyn has the roughest treatment of any of the Stark children. She’s basically trapped in King’s Landing as a hostage for most of the series, and when Littlefinger helps her escape, she ends up in an even worse situation when she’s married off to the dread bastard Ramsay Bolton. Still, she gets her revenge and finishes the series as Queen of the North.

Sophie Turner got her start on Thrones like her on-screen sister Williams, but she’s worked solidly since then. In 2013, she appeared in the psychological thriller Another Me, and she played the powerful Psychic Jean Grey in two X-Men movies (It must be a Stark thing). You can see Turner next in the drama series Joan.

Maisie Williams as Arya Stark

The youngest Stark daughter, Arya, wasn’t interested in becoming the lady to some stuffy lord. Instead, she took after her boisterous aunt Lyanna and was more interested in learning to fight than in learning how to sew. Unfortunately, she got her wish. After the death of her father, Ned, Arya spends years training to become a deadly shape-shifting assassin, eventually taking revenge on those who betrayed her family.

Like a lot of the younger cast, Thrones was Maisie Williams’ first role, but since appearing on the show, she’s enjoyed great success.  She starred in her first feature film, The Falling, in 2014 and had a recurring guest role on the sci-fi series Doctor Who. Since Thrones wrapped, she’s appeared in the X-Men spin-off The New Mutants and the TV series Two Weeks to Live. You can see her next in The New Look.

Isaac Hempstead Wright as Bran Stark

Bran Stark starts Game of Thrones being “broken,” but he ends the show as both king and green seer, making him the most powerful man to ever live in Westeros. OK, not everyone liked Bran winning the throne in the end, but, hey, it was better than any of the Greyjoys getting their sea-salt-encrusted fingers on it.

Thrones was Isaac Hempstead Wright’s big break, but he’s also appeared in the horror film The Awakening and lent his voice to Eggs in the excellent animated movie The Boxtrolls.

Alfie Allen as Theon Greyjoy

The youngest son and heir of Balon Greyjoy, Theon was taken as a ward (or hostage) by Ned Stark after a failed rebellion. Still, Ned treated Theon well, and he grew close to the Stark boys. However, during the War of the Five Kings, Theon’s insecurities got the better of him, and he betrayed his old friends.

Let’s just say that didn’t exactly work out for him, and Theon was left a broken, reeking wreck. In the final seasons, however, he rediscovered his strength and helped the Starks reclaim their home, ultimately dying for the great house.

While Theon was definitely Alfie Allen’s big break, he had a number of credits under his belt before Thrones, including British soap staple Casualty. Since then, though, he’s starred in a number of major movies, including John Wick, The Predator, and Taika Waititi’s Jojo Rabbit.

Mark Addy as Robert Baratheon

The man, the myth, the legend! Robert Baratheon was good at exactly three things, and unfortunately, none of them was being king, which is probably why Westeros fell to ruin when he died. Still, if it was a drinking or fighting contest, you’d be a fool not to pout a few gold dragons on Robert Baratheon.

Mark Addy player Robert Baratheon in Game of Thrones season 1, but it was hardly his first credit. Addy got his start on the 1987 BBC show The Ritz, but he’s probably best known these days for his role in The Full Monty and the series Trollied and The Thin Blue Line. Addy last appeared in The Full Monty TV series and the Prime Video thriller series, The Rig.

Oh, and he played Fred Flintstone in The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas, which may be the worst sequel ever made.

Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister

Tyrion Lannister does two things. He drinks, and he knows things, but
he’s also the most likable of the Lannister brood (Editor: Which is hardly something to be proud of). Initially presented as someone desperate to prove himself to his haughty family (and the kingdom at large), over time, Tyrion realizes the bigoted society of Westeros will never respect a dwarf, and he throws his lot in with Daenerys in the hopes of breaking the wheel. It doesn’t go well.

Peter Dinklage played Tyrion across eight seasons of Game of Thrones (and won four Emmys doing so), and the role propelled him to international stardom. His breakout role was in the 2000s movie The Station Agent, but you’ll also have seen him in the Christmas classic Elf, X-Men: Days of Future Past, and the Oscar-winning Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.  You can see him next in Disney’s live-action remake of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister

Cersei Lannister, the golden queen, might be the most vicious character in Game of Thrones — and trust me, that’s saying something. Her crimes include regicide, regular old murder, incest, and looking incredibly smug while sipping on a goblet of Dornish red. Still, as easy as it was to loathe Cersei, she was one of the show’s best characters; there’s just something fun about a character who’s so hateable.

Lena Headey, a veteran of the small and silver screen, played the Lannister queen. Headey made her breakthrough in the drama series  The Clothes in the Wardrobe but has gone on to star in films like 300,  The Remains of the Day, and Fighting With My Family. Notably, she also played Sarah Connor (It must be a thing all Westerosi queens do) in The Sarah Connor Chronicles. You’ll see her next in the horror movie Svalta alongside Nick Frost.

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister

The other half of the Lannister twins, what Jaime lacks in brains, he makes up for in good looks and natural skill with a blade. When he loses his hand in the second season, though, Jaime’s forced on a journey of self-discovery that culminates in him realizing the Lannisters might have been the baddies all along.

A graduate of the Danish National School of Performing Arts, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau made his debut in the Danish film Nightwatch before eventually making his way to the States, where he starred in films like Black Hawk Down, Kingdom of Heaven, and Enigma before eventually landing his role in Thrones.

You’ll have last seen Coster-Waldau in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo in The Flash, and he’s set to appear in the new Nick Cassavetes film God Is a Bullet alongside Jamie Foxx later in 2023.

Charles Dance as Tywin Lannister

Tywin Lannister was known for doing two things. Putting his family before everything and for shitting gold. It turned out he did neither really and was, in fact, nothing but an ambitious social climber obsessed only with his own legacy. In the end, he died as he lived ‘bullshitting.’

The wonderful Charles Dance played Tywin across six seasons of Thrones. An experienced actor of screen and stage, Dance got his start playing Badger in Toad of Toad Hall at the Royal Shakespeare Theater before breaking onto TV in Father Brown. Arguably, though, he made his name when he appeared in the James Bond movie For Your Eyes Only, playing the mercenary Claus.

Since then, he’s gone on to star in a number of high-profile projects, including Michael Collins Gosford Park, The Imitation Game, The King’s Man, The Golden Child, Last Action Hero, and Godzilla: King of the Monsters. Fun fact about Dance: I’ve met him, and he’s just as intimidating as you’d expect.

Jack Gleeson as Joffrey Baratheon

Joffrey Baratheon somehow managed to be a worse king than Robert. We’d say that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, but Joffrey didn’t really come from Robert’s seed now, did he? Yes, Joffrey spent four seasons being an awful little shit, and we were delighted when he died at his own purple wedding.

Still, it takes real skill to play such an unlikable character, as Jack Gleeson proved. Like a lot of the younger cast members, Thrones was Gleeson’s breakout role, but he had a healthy list of credits to his name before he slipped on Joff’s crown. He famously appeared in Batman Begins, but he also had small parts in Reign of Fire and the horror movie Shrooms.

After playing Joffrey for a few years, Gleeson took a break from acting, but he’s working again now, and you’ll see him next as Wentworth in that new production of The Famous Five.

Rory McCann as Sandor “The Hound” Clegane

Originally presented as Joffrey Baratheon’s bodyguard and the Lannister’s loyal dog, Sandor Clegane was, in fact, one of Game of Thrones more complex characters who buried his disgust at the unjustness of Westerosi society behind a permanent scowl and bad humor.

In the end, he sacrifices himself to stop his murderous brother, accidentally proving his own philosophy wrong. Westeros did have heroes. They just didn’t look like the knights in storybooks.

Rory McCann got his start appearing in a porridge commercial, but he’s gone on to become a bona fide movie star, appearing in films like Hot Fuzz, XXX: Return of Xander Cage, and even the Jumanji sequel. You can see him next when the Knuckles TV series release date comes around.

Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen

The Breaker of Chains and Mother of Dragons, Daenerys started off as a scared little waif, but she became a revolutionary leader and eventually a tyrannical warrior queen. It’s quite the transformation, we know, but when you look back at the Targaryen Family Tree, it’s pretty obvious her fall to madness was unfortunately inevitable.

Emilia Clarke brought Daenerys to life. Like so many British stars, she got her start on a soap, specifically the BBC show Doctors, before landing her role on Thrones. Since then, she’s played Sarah Connor in Terminator Genisys and appeared in films like Solo: A Star Wars Story and Last Christmas. She last starred in the frankly awful Marvel series Secret Invasion where she played the Super-Skrull, G’iah.

Iain Glen as Ser Jorah Mormont

Ser Jorah Mormont, the exiled knight and loyal (for the most part) bodyguard to Daenerys Targaryen, was a fan favorite who loved his queen while knowing she’d never love him back. Jorah’s tale was only ever going to end one way, tragically, but seeing him overcome greyscale and saving Dany from the hordes of the dead was a story worthy of a hero.

An accomplished stage and screen actor, Glen got his start in the 1988 movie Paris by Night, but you’ll probably know him from Gorillas in the Mist, Mountains of the Moon,  Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, and the Resident Evil movies. He’s also starred in numerous TV series, including notably Abbey, Doctor Who, Titans, and most recently, the sci-fi show Silo.

Jason Momoa as Khal Drogo

The leader of the largest Khalsasar in Essos, Khal Drogo, was a man to be feared for his savagery and strength. Still as brutal as he could be, Daenerys did manage to find a tender side to him (If we ignore all the slaves he took, which I really struggle with, to be honest).

Drogo was played by Jason Momoa, who made his acting debut in Baywatch: Hawaii, where he played Jason Ioane. Still, he’s gone on to bigger and better things in recent years, landing the role of Arthur Curry, aka Aquaman, in the DCEU and playing the best new Fast and Furious character, Dante Reyes.

To us, though, he’ll always be Ronon Dax from Stargate Atlantis. You can see him next when the Aquaman 2 release date finally rolls around.

Harry Lloyd as Viserys Targaryen

Poor Visery Targaryen. No, not the one with leprosy or the one who fathered Aegon the Unworthy. We’re talking about the really unsympathetic one. All Viserys ever wanted was that which should have been his by birth, but the Beggar King of Pentos was too weak and cowardly to take Westeros by force, so he had to rely on Illyrio Mopatis and Khal Drogo for support, and we all know how that turned out. Still, at least he got his golden crown in the end.

Harry Lloyd played Viserys in the first season of Game of Thrones, but he was an established actor of screen and stage before he slipped into Visery’s silks, having tread the boards since 2007 and appeared in the BBC series Robin Hood. Still, he’s probably best known outside of Thrones for playing Jeremy Baines in Human Nature and The Family of Blood, two of the best episodes of Doctor Who ever.

Since Viserys’s death, Lloyd’s been keeping busy appearing in films like The Theory of Everything, The Iron Lady, and most recently, The Lost King. He’s also had the honor of playing everyone’s favorite X-Men character, Charles Xavier.

John Bradley as Samwell Tarly

A coward and a craven, Samwell Tarly should have died in season 1 of Game of Thrones. Still, thanks to Jon Snow, he survived, and through his quick wit and lovable personality, Sam became a fan favorite who proved reading a book is just as important as swinging a sword when it comes to saving the world.

John Bradley got his big break in Thrones, but since playing Sam, he’s landed more credits than a Star Wars loanshark, appearing in the likes of the Borgias, Shameless, and the BBC series Merlin. Bradley’s also got some impressive film work under his belt, starring in the epic Moonfall (Yes, it’s stupid. No, We don’t care.) and Marry Me, the best rom-com of 2022.

James Cosmo as Jeor Mormont

The Old Bear Jeor Mormont was the Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch before Jon Snow, who willingly joined the Black Brothers so his son, Jorah, could rule Bear Island. That didn’t exactly go to plan, but Jeor served the Watch with honor until he was executed by mutineers while ranging beyond The Wall.

James Cosmo played Jeor, but he was famous long before he put on his black cloak. Cosmo’s been working as an actor since the ’60s, appearing in iconic shows like Softly Softly, The Sweeney, Sons of Anarchy, Jack Ryan, and Casualty (They’ve all been in Casualty).

Still, it’s his film work that’s particularly impressive, with Cosmo earning credits in a number of high-profile pictures, including Highlander, Trainspotting, Ben-Hur, and Wonder Woman.

Aidan Gillen as Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish

The treacherous and slimy Littlefinger may have been loathed in Westeros, but in the real world, people couldn’t get enough of this cunning cutthroat.

Littlefinger may not have been a physical threat to anyone, but through his guile and determination, he came closer to breaking the wheel than any other Game of Thrones character. It’s just a shame that all his actions were designed to benefit one person, Littlefinger.

Best known for playing Stuart Alan Jones in Queer as Folk, Aidan Gillen has a list of credits longer than a Maester’s beard. Some highlights include The Wire, Peaky Blinders, and, most recently, the Mayor of Kingstown. He’s no stranger to the silver screen, either, appearing in The Maze Runner films and the Oscar-winning Bohemian Rhapsody. You can see him next in the Irish film Barber.

Conleth Hill as Varys

Varys was loyal to only one thing, the realm (Or so he claimed), and this ultimately saw the Master of Whispers turn his back on the Lannister dynasty and throw his lot in with Daenerys Targaryen. Unfortunately, she ended up burning him alive, of course, when she discovered him plotting to put Jon Snow on the Iron Throne, but at least he was sort of the side of the goodies.

Conleth Hill played Varys for all eight seasons of Game of Thrones, and with two Laurence Olivier awards and two Tonys under his belt, it’s safe to say Hill was already pretty established when he slipped on Vary’s silk slippers.

We could talk about his theatre work or his dramatic performances in films like Salmon Fishing in the Yemen or Official Secrets, but honestly, we’re more impressed that he made an episode of Car Share with Peter Kay. What do you think he’s prouder of, the awards or the fact he’s been in Kay’s Fiat 500L?

Jerome Flynn as Bronn

If anyone truly won the Game of Thrones, it was Bronnn. In just a few short years, he went from a penniless sellsword to the Lord of Highgarden and Master of Coin. Does that make sense? Not at all. But honestly, we don’t care. Bronn was too likable (and deadly) to ever bet against.

One-half of the inimitable Robson & Jerome, Jerome Flynn’s first major role came when he starred in the superbly pulpy TV movie London’s Burning, but it’s arguably his turn in Soldier, Soldier (Alongside Robson Green) that made him into a household name.

Since Thrones (Bronn was one of the few characters to make it to the finish line), Flynn’s gone on to appear in Ripper Street, John Wick 3, and the Yellowstone spin-off 1923, where he played Banner Creighton.

Joe Dempsie as Gendry

Robert Baratheon was a man with a voracious sexual appetite, and as contraception hadn’t been invented in Westeros (Well, male contraception hadn’t), this left him with a lot of bastards. Robert looked after his illegitimate kids for the most part, but Cersei had them slaughtered when he died. One of the only known survivors was Gendry, the blacksmith’s apprentice.

Gendry was played by Joe Dempsie, who I know best as Chris from Skins, but he’s had a long and storied career going back to 2001 when he appeared on Peak Practice (He doesn’t have a Casualty credit, but he did star in Doctors). After that, he starred in a number of classic TV series, including This is England, Merlin, The Fades, and the Netflix series Pieces of He. You can see Dempsie next in the HBO miniseries Get Millie Black.

Sibel Kekilli as Shae

Shae was one of the few people Tyrion trusted, but she broke his heart, and for that, he broke her neck. Still, she remains one of the more memorable characters, and there was a time when we loved Shae almost as much as her ‘Little Lord’ did.

While she’s best known these days for playing, Sibel Kekilli had a long career before Thrones. Kekilli got her start in the German movie business, earning her first role in the Gegen die Wand (‘Head-On’ in English), which won the Golden Bear at the 54th Berlin International Film Festival.

Kekilli would go on to star in multiple TV and film projects, most notably When We Leave, which earned her the most prestigious film award in German film, The Lola.

Game of Thrones cast members introduced in season 2

• Gwendoline Christie as Brienne of Tarth
• Liam Cunningham as Davos Seaworth
• Carice van Houten as Melisandre
• Stephen Dillane as Stannis Baratheon
• Natalie Dormer as Margaery Tyrell
• Hannah Murray as Gilly
• Rose Leslie as Ygritte
• Tom Wlaschiha as Jaqen H’ghar

Gwendoline Christie as Brienne of Tarth

One of the most accomplished warriors in the Seven Kingdoms, Brienne of Tarth, should be a hero, but because of her gender, she’s ostracized and demeaned. Still, over the course of the series, she manages to overcome her insecurities and finds purpose in defending those who can’t defend themselves. Basically, Brienne is the perfect knight and potentially the most honorable character.

An accomplished actor before Thrones even began, Christie got her start on the stage working alongside Tom Hiddleston and laying Lucifer Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus. Her on-screen break came in 2007 when she appeared in the short film The Time Surgeon, and she had a small role in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. Since Thrones, Christie’s worked in both film and TV, starring in the likes of Star Wars, Hunger Games, The Sandman, and Wednesday. You can see her next in Severance season 2.

Liam Cunningham as Davos Seaworth

First appearing in Game of Thrones season 2, Davos is Stannis’s humble right-hand man, but as the show continues, the Onion Knight comes to question his loyalties to his Baratheon King as he slowly falls under the (literal) spell of the Red Priestess, Melisandre.

Following Stannis’s death and Jon Snow’s resurrection, Davos takes up the young bastard’s cause, helping crown him King in the North, traveling beyond The Wall to capture a wight, and fighting against the Night King.

Liam Cunningham has a long list of credits under his belt after getting his start in 1992’s Into the West. He’s probably best known, however, for The Wind That Shakes the Barley, one of the best werewolf movies ever, Dog Soldiers, and War Horse.

You can see him now in the horror movie The Last Voyage of the Demeter, where he plays the ship’s captain. Also, here’s a fun fact: despite his character hating Melisandre, Cunningham and Carice van Houten are old friends.

Carice van Houten as Melisandre

The Red Woman, Melisandre, was an enigmatic presence of Game of Thrones whose devotion to the Lord of Light was the only thing we knew for certain about her. Well, that and the fact she was actually hundreds of years old, but let’s not worry about that right now.

Introduced as a corrupting influence on Stannis Baratheon, she came to believe Jon Snow was the real Prince That Was promised and helped our heroes in the battle against the Night King and his armies of the undead.

Best known for her roles in the TV series Suzy Q and the Paul Verhoeven film Black Book, Carice van Houten has had a super impressive career working with the likes of Tom Cruise, Maggie Smith, Benedict Cumberbatch, and the aforementioned Liam Cunningham. She’s also been nominated (and won) more awards than we could possibly list here and has even been in The Simpsons (the highest of honors).

Stephen Dillane as Stannis Baratheon

Stannis wasn’t an easy character to like. His rigidity and stubbornness belied an immense pride and shortsightedness that cost him the Iron Throne. It wasn’t even that fun to see him fail because the annoying thing about Stannis was that he was ultimately right, but as we know, that doesn’t get you far in the Seven Kingdoms.

A graduate of the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Stephen Dillane played Stannis the Mannis across four seasons of Thrones before the would-be king ended up dying at Brienne’s hand. An extremely accomplished actor and Tony award winner, Dillane has been working since 1985 and, outside of Thrones, is known for playing Leonard Woolf in The Hours and pounding father Thomas Jefferson in the HBO miniseries John Adams.

Natalie Dormer as Margaery Tyrell

Ambitious to a fault and with her eyes firmly set on the Iron Throne, Margery Tyrell is basically Cersei Lannister by another name. While Cersei’s cruel and cold, though, Maregry knows the true way to win people to your cause is with kindness (Even if that kindness may not come from an altruistic place).

Natalie Dormer got her start straight out of drama school, starring alongside Heath Ledger in Cassanova (We prefer the David Tennant version); however, it’s arguably her portrayal of Anne Boleyn in the Tudors that put her on course for superstardom.

While Thrones was in production, Dormer played Cressida in the Hunger Games movies and found the time to play Moriarty and Irene Adler in Elementary. You can see her next in Audrey’s Children, a biopic about Doctor Audrey Evans.

Hannah Murray as Gilly

Gilly had a rather unfortunate start in life, being born beyond The Wall to the brutal and incestuous Craster. Still, she was eventually rescued from her father by Sam and Jon Snow after she was brought to Castle Black and began a new life south of The Wall with her son.

Another Skins alum, Hannah Murray, played Cassie in the first generation of mixed-up teens to feature on the show alongside Joe Dempsie. Still, that’s far from Murray’s only claim to fame; she’s also had a number of film roles, including Dark Shadows, The Number’s Station, and Detroit.

Her best-known work, though, is probably God Help The Girl and Jeppe Rønde’s Bridgend, which won her the Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film in 2014 and the Tribeca Film Festival for Best Actress Award in 2015, respectively.

Rose Leslie as Ygritte

Ygritte was the willing spearwife who taught Jon Snow his most famous lesson that he “knows nothing.” Ultimately, Ygritte and Jon fell in love, but any chance of a happy ending for the pair was snatched away when the wildlings attacked The Wall, and she was struck by an arrow, dying in Jon’s arms.

Rose Leslie played Ygritte across seasons 2 to 4 of Game of Thrones, but this was hardly her first time treading the boards. A graduate of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, Leslie got her start working at BBC Radio narrating various documentaries before making her TV in the 2019 film New Town.

Leslie’s big break came in 2010, however, when she starred in a little show called Downton Abbey, playing the maid Gwen Dawson. She followed Downton up with roles in films like Morgan, Death on the Nile, and Vin Diesel’s The Last Witch Hunter. Her last role was in the Time Traveller’s Wife TV series, where she played the titular character Clare. Fun fact: Leslie’s actually married to Kit Harrington, who plays Jon Snow, so it did work out for the star-crossed lovers… kind of.

Michael McElhatton as Roose Bolton

Roose Bolton may not be a bastard in the same way Jon or Ramsay are, but outside of his son, the Lannisters, and the Greyjoys, he’s probably the most despicable character in the show. Roose is the one who helped the Freys and Lannisters plot the Red Wedding, betraying his king and seizing The North for his family. What a git.

Still, we bet Michael McElhatton is lovely because, in our experience, the more horrible a character is, the nicer the actor who plays them. Anyway, McElhatton is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and is known for his work on films like  I Went Down, Saltwater, The Autopsy of Jane Doe, The Zookeeper’s Wife, and The Last Duel. He last appeared in the Prime Video series Jack Ryan.

Tom Wlaschiha as Jaqen H’ghar

Jaqen H’ghar was an assassin and member of the Faceless Men who brought a young Arya Stark into the House of the Undying, or at least we think he did. It’s difficult to say for certain when you’re dealing with a group of people who can shapeshift at will.

What we do know is that whoever was wearing Jaqen’s face was played by Tom Wlaschiha. While playing Jaqen is arguably Wlaschiha’s most famous role in English-speaking countries, he’s very well known in his native Germany and has also appeared in Stranger Things and Jack Ryan. Fun fact: he’s also the voice of Buzz Lightyear in the German version of Lightyear.

Game of Thrones cast members introduced in season 3

• Kristofer Hivju as Tormund Giantsbane
• Iwan Rheon as Ramsay Bolton
• Nathalie Emmanuel as Missandei
• Jacob Anderson as Grey Worm
• Michiel Huisman as Daario Naharis
• Diana Rigg as Olenna Tyrell

Kristofer Hivju as Tormund Giantsbane

Tormund Giantsbane proves that the worst enemies make the best friends, or at least they do in the case of Jon Snow. A Wildling of some renown, Tormund was introduced as a fiercely loyal lieutenant of King-Beyond-the-Wall Mance Rayder, but Jon won his loyalty by demonstrating his bravery at Hardhome.

Indeed, by the end of the series, Tormund gave up a chance at a comfy life south of The Wall to stay by the exiled Jon’s side. Norwegian actor Kristofer Hivju played Tormund from Game of Thrones season 3 through to season 8.

While Tormund’s easily Hivju’s best-known role, you may also know him as playing the villain Connor Rhodes in The Fate of the Furious or Jonas in The Thing prequel. He’s also more recently starred in Cocaine Bear and is set to appear next in Dwayne Johnson’s upcoming Christmas movie, Red Notice.

Iwan Rheon as Ramsay Bolton

In a show full of punchable people, the evil, cruel, and remarkably petty Ramsay Bolton is easily the most punchable. Still as horrible as Ramsay was, and he was incredibly loathable, we can’t deny there was a catharsis in seeing him meet his end at the hands (or mouths) of his own dogs.

The lovely Iwan Rheon brought the terrible Ramsay to life, who you may recognize as the meek and timid Simon Bellamy from the hit superpowered C4 show Misfits. Still, Rheon actually got his start on the Welsh language soap Pobol y Cwm before heading off to the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

Once he graduated, Rheon went on to star in shows like Secret Diary of a Call Girl, Grandma’s House, Riviera, and the sci-fi series Humans. While he doesn’t have quite as many film credits, he did play Mick Mars in the Mötley Crüe film The Dirt.

Nathalie Emmanuel as Missandei

Missandei became Daenerys’ loyal translator and advisor after the Mother of Dragons freed her from slavery, and she was by the queen’s side from the third season until the last. Over the course of five seasons, audiences fell in love with Missandei for her wisdom and compassion. Unfortunately, Missandei’s luck ran out in season 8 when Cersei Lannister captured and executed her.

Nathalie Emmanuel played Missandei, and while Thrones was arguably her big break, she was already an established actor by the time she won the role. Emmanuel got her start in the British soap opera Hollyoaks, where she played Sasha Valentine from 2006 to 2010.

Emmanuel eventually swapped Hollyoaks for Hollywood, though, securing roles in big franchise movies like The Maze Runner and, more notably, she plays the tech genius Ramsay in the Fast and Furious movies.

Jacob Anderson as Grey Worm

As the leader of the Unsullied Army, Grey Worm was one of Daenerys Targaryen’s most powerful allies, and his skill with the sword helped the Mother of Dragons win the Seven Kingdoms. Sadly, Grey Worm was left a broken man by the end of Game of Thrones after witnessing his love, Missandei, perish at the hands of Cersei Lannister. The last we saw him, he was sailing south to Basilisk Isles (Missandei’s home) to keep her people safe from slavers.

Like a number of British actors, Anderson got his start on the soap circuit by appearing in shows like The Bill and Doctors. He followed these roles up with roles in Skins, Silent Witness, and Outnumbered, but his big break arguably came when he was cast alongside Matt LeBlanc in the sitcom Episodes.

After Thrones wrapped up, Anderson has gone on to appear in popular shows like Broadchurch and Doctor Who. You can see him next in Interview with the Vampire season 2, where he plays Louis de Pointe du Lac.

Michiel Huisman as Daario Naharis

Daario Naharis may not be anyone’s favorite Game of Thrones character, but the skeevy sellsword won us over when he became a true believer in Daenerys Targaryen’s cause (we’re not sure how he would have liked how it all panned out, though).

A Dutch actor, Michiel Huisman, got his start on the soap opera Goede Tijden, Slechte Tijden, but since then, he’s gone on to star in hit movies and shows like World War Z,  The Haunting of Hill House, and The Flight Attendant.

You can see him next in Zack Snyder’s sci-fi epic Rebel Moon, which is coming to Netflix this Christmas.

Diana Rigg as Olenna Tyrell

The Queen of Thorns was a fan-favorite character known for no-nonsense attitude and acidic tongue. Honestly, though, the real reason people love her is that she’s the one who killed Joffrey, for which she’ll always have our gratitude, at least.

Diana Rigg should need no introduction. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Rigg got her start in the theater but rose to fame on the TV series The Avengers (not that one), playing Emma Peel. Rigg went on to star in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Great Muppet Caper, and probably most notably in the Bond movie, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Rigg passed away on September 10, 2020 at the age of 82

Game of Thrones cast members introduced in season 4

• Vladimir Furdik as The Night King

Vladimir Furdik as The Night King

For the longest time, The Night King was the biggest threat to the Seven Kingdoms, and while his eventual defeat may have been contentious, we loved the build-up so much, in particular his terrifying appearance at Hardhome.

Two actors actually played the Night King. Richard Brake played him in seasons 4 and 5, but Vladimir Furdik took over in the later seasons, so we’re giving him the credit here. Furdik is a stuntman by trade, and he’s appeared in basically everything you’ve ever watched, from The Witcher to The Chronicles of Narnia.

Of course, these are just some of the stars who graced Westeros. Plenty of other actors slipped into some boiled leather and helped breathe life into the Seven Kingdoms. Below, you’ll find lists of all the major Game of Thrones cast members across every season of the show. Be warned, though; we’ve not included everyone because we’d be here until the end of time if we did that.

Game of Thrones cast members introduced in season 5

• Jonathan Pryce as The High Sparrow

Jonathan Pryce as The High Sparrow

A religious zealot, The High Sparrow’s compassionate facade belies a ruthless streak a mile long. While we never found out what his long-term goals were, we do know this seemingly pious High Septon was as cruel and callous as any of the high lords he looked down on.

Veteran actor Jonathan Pryce needs no introduction. An acclaimed actor and knight of the realm (although not in the Westeros sense), Pryce established himself playing Hamlet in the play of the same name before breaking through into the mainstream playing Sam Lowry in Terry Gilliam’s dark sci-fi comedy Brazil.

Pryce has gone on to appear in James Bond movies and the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, and he even earned an Academy Award nomination for playing Pope Francis in The Two Popes alongside Anthony Hopkins. That said, these days, you probably know him best for playing Prince Phillip in The Crown.

Game of Thrones cast members introduced in season 6

• Bella Ramsey as Lyanna Mormont

Bella Ramsey as Lyanna Mormont

As ferocious as a bear and twice as deadly, Lyanna was the steely head of House Mormont and a loyal ally to House Stark. While she may have been young, Lyanna was as fierce as any other Northern lord and proved her courage during the Battle of Winterfell, where she gave her life to defeat an undead giant.

Lyanna was played by Bella Ramsay, who’s best known these days for playing Ellie in the wonderful The Last of Us TV series. Beyond starring in HBO shows, Ramsay has also had roles in the BBC show The Worst Witch and His Dark Materials. You can see her next in Chicken Run 2 when it Hits Netflix in December.

The complete Game of Thrones cast

If you’re looking to sharpen your mind on the history and future of the Seven Kingdoms, then you’re in the right place. We’ve more Game of Thrones content than The Citadel itself, including a guide to the House of the Dragon cast, as well as a breakdown of everything you need to know about the House of the Dragon season 2 release date. We’ve even got a list of the best Game of Thrones characters and looked into a possible Game of Thrones season 9.

We’ve got individual articles on a number of dragons, including Balerion the Black Dread, Meleys, Arrax, Meraxes, Syrax, and Vermithor. Finally, we have written detailed histories of all of the major House of the Dragon characters, including Alicent Hightower, King Viserys Targaryen, Otto Hightower, Daemon Targaryen, Larys Strong, and Ser Criston Cole. Basically, we’re experts on the history of Westeros.