Here we have one of the most loyal servants. British actor, Donald Sumpter, portrayed this loyal servant in the epic fantasy. However, you won’t be mistaken if Sumpter seems a familiar face. In fact, the British actor has had a career spanning almost seven decades. Some of Sumpter’s initial roles were minor ones in series such as “Doctor Who” and “Agatha Christie’s Poirot.”
Sumpter has also starred in critically acclaimed films such as “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” “K-19: The Widowmaker,” “The Constant Gardner,” and “Eastern Promises.” Since the epic fantasy, he has had roles in the extremely successful “Chernobyl,” returned to the enduring British hit “Doctor Who,” and had cameos in “Peaky Blinders.”
Indira Varma – Ellaria Sand
Though some characters were introduced late into the series, they were not only unforgettable but added a further layer of intrigue to the already complicated but compelling storyline. One such character was Ellaria Sand, the paramour of Oberyn Martell. Indira Varma starred as Ellaria Sand. Before joining the “GOT” production, Varma had her debut role in “Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love.”
Since “GOT,” the British actress has joined the cast of the action film “Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning.” Meanwhile, on TV, the actress portrayed the characters Tala Durith in the “Star Wars” series “Obi Wan Kenobi” and the Duchess in the long-spanning show, “Doctor Who.” Varma is best known for her role in the series “Paranoid.”
Rose Leslie – Ygritte
We had such a short time with this wilding character, but we found ourselves mainly rooting for her because she was Jon Snow’s love interest, but also because she was hardcore. She was a wildling, after all. Though her time was short on the epic fantasy, the actress who starred as Ygritte, Rose Leslie, has been going places since the show. In 2022, the Scottish actress had two major roles, one playing the time traveler’s wife in “The Time Traveler’s Wife” and another in the grand murder mystery film “Death on the Nile.”
It’s not only the actress’s showbiz career that is looking bright, but since their meeting, she has dated her “GOT” co-star, Kit Harrington. In 2018, the two tied the knot and have had two children.
Gwendoline Christie – Brienne of Tarth
While it took some time for this character, Brienne of Tarth, to grow on us, the same cannot be said for Gwendoline Christie’s career in entertainment. Certainly, Christie will always be remembered for bringing the complex “GOT” character, Brienne of Tarth, to the screen, but since then, the British actress has given us plenty of memorable performances and characters.
In 2022, Christie appeared in the fantasy show “The Sandman” and was cast in a main role in the popular “Addams Family” spin-off, “Wednesday.” She also featured in the black comedy “Flux Gourmet,” which was up for a BAFTA award for best ensemble. Christie has had some big shoes to fill since Brienne of Tarth; however, this actress has demonstrated she’s up for the challenge.
Richard Madden – Robb Stark
None of us could have imagined the horrible fate that awaited Robb Stark. This was a decade ago, and the actor has been busy since his ill-fated days on “GOT.” Richard Madden is a Scottish actor who portrayed Robb Stark in the series. Considering that Madden made his exit on the highest-rated episode, “The Rains of Castamere,” the actor made his exit on a high note. And Madden is still singing.
He was cast in a main role in “Cinderella” (2015), featuring Cate Blanchette and Stellan Skarsgård. Later Madden starred in the Elton John biopic, “Rocketman” (2019), and two years later, he was cast as Ikaris in the superhero film “Eternals” (2021).
Rory McCann – Sandor Clegane
Most of us only knew this character by his derogatory name, “The Hound,” but despite this derogatory name, Sandor Clegane, with his permanent facial burns, was one of the memorable “GOT” characters. Minus his facial burns, you might not recognize the Scottish actor Rory McCann, who brought “The Hound” to screen, but McCann has had several roles since “GOT.”
McCann joined the cast of “XXX: Return of Xander Cage” in the role of Tennyson ‘The Torch.’ Following this role in the action film, McCann featured in the film “Jumanji: The Next Level.” McCann’s career in TV has taken him on a new path as he was a voice actor for the Canadian show, “Transformers: EarthSpark.”
Joe Dempsie – Gendry Baratheon
Gendry Baratheon is the lovechild of the king, Robert Baratheon, and suffers much because of this throughout the series. However, the same cannot be said for Joe Dempsie, the actor who starred in this character. Even before joining the cast of “GOT,” Dempsie enjoyed a solid acting career in British entertainment. One of his notable roles was as Chris Miles in the British teen drama “Skins.”
After “GOT,” things have slowed down a bit for the English actor. Dempsie has starred in the Netflix series, “Pieces of Her” and the British espionage series “Deep State.” We can expect to see him again soon in the TV series “Get Millie Black.”
Alfie Allen – Theon Greyjoy
No character fell more from grace than Theon Greyjoy. Despite being part of the nobility, the only son and heir of Lord Balon Greyjoy, Theon lives up to his name, “Greyjoy” – because that’s all this character finds - grey joy. Though Theon Greyjoy had a grizzly life in the hit series, Alfie Allen, the actor behind the onscreen persona, has had to work with more lighthearted material.
One that comes to mind is starring in the comedy films, “Jojo Rabbit” and “How to Build a Girl.” Of course, Allen has not only been working with light-hearted material. Since he’s said goodbye to Theon Greyjoy, he’s joined the cast of the period series “Harlots” and the crime drama “White House Farm.” He’s also the younger brother of English singer Lily Allen.
Natalia Tena - Osha
This character was one of our favorite wildlings. Initially, viewers are curious about Osha; however, as the season progresses, we realize this character – as wild as she is – has her heart in the right place. You might not see it at first, but Natalia Tena, who is the face of Osha in “GOT,” is actually the face of Nymphadora Tonks in the “Harry Potter” franchise.
However, the actress has certainly played her parts well because you barely recognize her as Tonks. More recently, you might also recognize her in the small role as one of the family, Katia Jovanovich, in “John Wick: Chapter 4.” In TV, the actress continues to feature in popular series such as “The Mandalorian.”
Thomas Brodie-Sangster – Jojen Reed
Even if you missed this character in “GOT,” you’ve definitely seen this actor in plenty of roles. In “GOT,” he starred as Jojen Reed, a greenseer who helps Bran Stark to venture behind the wall in seasons 3 and 4. Before “GOT,” Brodie Sangster starred in “Love Actually” and “Nanny McPhee.”
So, the actor’s been around. And it looks like he’s going to be around for much longer. However, he’s still young, following his departure from the fantasy series he was cast in the “The Maze Runner” trilogy. When Brodie-Sangster is not busy running around in mazes, he’s also starring in TV series such as “Godless,” “Pistol,” and the critically acclaimed “The Queen’s Gambit.”
Emilia Clarke – Daenerys Targaryen
Not only were we surprised to learn that there aren’t actual dragons, but we were also equally surprised to learn that the actress portraying Daenerys Targaryen was not actually a platinum blond. Emilia Clarke had us all convinced. None of us would even whisper a denial of her being the “mother of dragons.” Since the “GOT” finale, we’ve had to say goodbye to one of the series’ most unforgettable characters.
The English actress has had plenty on her hands following the epic fantasy. Clarke has had main roles in the films “Last Christmas” and “Above Suspicion.” She has also joined the cast of the MCU series “Secret Invasion.” Though we were sad to say goodbye to the “Mother of Dragons,” we’ll surely see her around – minus her platinum hair.
Carice van Houten – Lady Melisandre
Most of us had a very complex relationship with “GOT” characters simply because they’re so complex. It takes a dedicated cast to pull off this complexity and create this complicated relationship with these “GOT” individuals. And one of those individuals is Lady Melisandre, also known as “The Red Woman” or “The Red Witch.” Minus the bright red hair, the actress behind the convincing role is Dutch actress Carice van Houten.
After the super successful series, van Houten featured in the Brian de Palma crime “Domino.” Interestingly, van Houten couldn’t quite put her “GOT” days behind her as she teamed up with one of her “GOT” co-stars, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, in the de Palma film. Since 2015, Van Houten has been dating the Australian-English actor Guy Pearce.
Jason Mamoa – Khal Drogo
Before joining “GOT,” this actor was making a name for himself in the entertainment industry. After his role as Khal Drogo, Jason Mamoa cemented himself in showbiz despite spending only one season on the show. Khal Drogo is a larger-than-life character, and Mamoa brought just that to the epic season. However, this is something the American actor, Mamoa, seems to have a knack for.
Even in his subsequent roles, Mamoa is unforgettable, like “Aquaman” and its sequel “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” – which we’re patiently waiting for. He’s also starred in the massive production “Dune” and joined the “Fast & Furious” franchise featuring in “Fast X.” It looks like we’re going to see plenty more of Mamoa in the showbiz circuit.
Jack Gleeson – Joffrey Baratheon
We can’t deny the range or skill of this actor. No “GOT” character was more despised than Joffrey Baratheon. And none of us can deny that Season 4 is one of the best seasons simply because of the infamous “purple wedding,” a.k.a. Joffrey’s exit from the show. Gleeson has been acting since he was a child. One of his first appearances was in “Batman Begins” as a scared child whom Katie Holmes protects. Following his role as Joffrey, the Irish actor featured in the TV series, “Out of Her Mind.”
However, we can expect to see more appearances from the actor in “In the Land of Saints and Sinners.” Last year, Gleeson also married his long-time partner, so now we know why the actor took a break from showbiz.
Harry Lloyd – Viserys Targaryen
Joining the main cast of “GOT” was a golden opportunity for rising actors. Some of them enjoyed much less screen time than others, but even with that being so, they still stood out. Harry Lloyd was one such actor with a “golden” opportunity. He may have only starred in the first season, but no one will forget the bratty, brooding, and vindictive Viserys Targaryen.
Following his first season on “GOT,” Harry Lloyd has had acting opportunities come his way, including featuring in the critically acclaimed “The Theory of Everything” and the war film “Anthropoid” with Cillian Murphy in the lead. When it comes to TV series, the actor has had a true goldmine featuring in the series “Brave New World.”
Iain Glen – Ser Jorah Mormont
Even we’re not so sure that this character is deserving of his eventual fate. That’s one thing that is true of “GOT” – sometimes, the characters experience tragic endings, even those undeserving of it. Fortunately, actor Iain Glen has had quite the acting resume, so he need not be obsessed with “GOT.”
Glen has starred in classic films such as “Gorillas in the Mist.” He also was cast as the baddie Manfred Powell “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.” After the end of “GOT,” he joined the cast of the film “Black Beauty,” “The Peter Pan-inspired film “The Lost Girls,” and the Icelandic thriller “Operation Napoleon.”
Aiden Gillen – Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish
No name is more appropriate for this character than his nickname “Littlefinger.” Lord Petyr has a finger in every pie – meaning every plot and conspiracy – and yet viewers hardly know that he was involved in the first place. The man behind bringing this complex character to life is the Irish actor Aiden Gillen. In the 1990s and 2000s, Gillen had several minor roles in classic TV shows like “Agatha Christie: Poirot,” “The Wire,” and “Law & Order: Trial by Jury.” Later, things have been looking up for Gillen.
You’d definitely remember him making an appearance in the final installment of the “Batman” trilogy in “The Dark Knight Rises.” However, more recently, Gillen starred in the successful and critically praised “Bohemian Rhapsody” and the historical drama series “Project Blue Book.”
Stephen Dillane – Stannis Baratheon
One question we need to ask Stephen Dillane is if he ever smiles. If he does, we’d be surprised because his onscreen persona was so serious, smiling just didn’t happen. Of course, Dillane is an actor – and he has plenty to smile about. Even before landing a role on the mega-successful fantasy series, Dillane had something to smile about – he won a Tony award for his role in the play “The Real Thing.”
In fact, Dillane is definitely the real thing when it comes to acting. The English actor has had a career spanning more than four decades. He has featured in series such as “The Crown” and had a main role in the series “Alex Rider.” One of his most notable roles was as Leonard Woolf in “The Hours.”
Mark Addy – Robert Baratheon
Though we had such a short time with this character, King Robert Baratheon, everything started with this character. All the plots, intrigues, and sly dealings took place because of Robert Baratheon. We may have had only one season with Robert Baratheon, but English actor Mark Addy did such a great job portraying this character that we will never forget his big personality and presence.
Addy has been around for a while, and some of his most classic performances were in “The Full Monty.” Addy was nominated for a BAFTA award for his role in this film. Since his exit from “GOT” after the first season, Addy joined the cast of the period film “Downton Abbey” and starred as Hercules in the series “Atlantis.”
Isaac Hempstead-Wright – Bran Stark
Most of us still can’t believe what went down in the finale. And we’re pretty sure Bran Stark is just as surprised as us. The finale will definitely give us plenty to discuss. And much of that discussion will center around the figure Bran Stark. Unfortunately, we really can’t give any spoilers on this topic, but we can tell you a little about Isaac Hempstead-Wright – the actor who brought Bran Stark to life.
Born in 1999, Isaac Hempstead-Wright is an up-and-coming actor and has plenty to look forward to, especially since he gave us such as great performance as Bran Stark. Since “GOT,” the actor made the cast of the Sci-Fi “Voyages” and had a role as a voice actor in the animation “The Boxtrolls.”
Natalie Dormer – Margaery Tyrell
This actress has been turning heads since portraying Anne Boleyn in “The Tudors.” Needless to say, Natalie Dormer will continue to turn heads as she is a talented actress and has joined the cast of some pretty big productions. Dormer joined the two final installments of “The Hunger Games” trilogy. On TV, the English actress is also featured in, ironically, the American detective series, “Elementary” which is based on the legendary English detective Sherlock Holmes.
It seems like Dormer is content to keep working in the American showbiz industry as she took a central role in the spin-off to the American series “Penny Dreadful: City of Angels.” Like her character in “GOT,” looks can be deceiving – Dormer is no angel in the horror series.
Sean Bean – Ned Stark
The early exit of this respected and beloved character showed viewers that “GOT” was something completely new – a show with really high stakes. “Game of Thrones” is one of those series that had the highest stakes – all to sit on the Iron Throne. And the beloved Eddard “Ned” Stark was simply collateral damage. The face behind Stark is the actor Sean Bean, who hardly needs an introduction.
In fact, Bean is an internet sensation as he has been the face of several memes and jokes. Following Bean’s early exit from “GOT,” the actor has been in a whole range of series and films. In 2021, he starred in the TV adaptation of Bong Joon-ho’s “Snowpiercer" and, in 2023, was cast in a main role in the fantasy film “Knights of the Zodiac.”
Sophie Turner – Sansa Stark
Like many of the “GOT” characters, viewers had complicated relationships with these fictional personas. Sansa Stark is one of them. She is the eldest Stark sister – and from the get-go, we’re on the Stark’s side. But not really Sansa’s. Only an immensely talented actress like Sophie Turner could bring the necessary depth to Sansa. Turner was so good in the role of Sansa Stark that she was nominated for an Emmy award for her performance.
And with such a natural gift for acting, Turner’s career has taken off. She’s appeared in several main roles since “GOT” including portraying the superhero, Jean Grey, in “X-Men: Apocalypse” and “Dark Phoenix.” Other important developments for Turner include marrying musician Joe Jonas and welcoming two children into the world.
John Bradley – Samwell Tarly
While Samwell Tarly had to learn courage and earn respect the hard way, this wasn’t the case for actor John Bradley. Thanks to his portrayal of Jon Snow’s bosom buddy onscreen, Bradley was given the boost his acting career needed. Though we’ve had to say goodbye to “GOT,” Bradley has since been able to say hello to a number of other roles.
A major acting credential for Bradley was in the film “Moonfall” where Bradley would join the A-lister, Halle Berry. In terms of TV, more opportunities also presented themselves for the English actor as he starred in the British biographical comedy “Urban Myths” and had a main role in the crime drama “North Shore.” Looks like this young actor got the lucky break he needed.
James Cosmo – Jeor Mormont
The first thing you’re probably thinking of is “who”? With such a huge cast extending to seven kingdoms, it’s hard to keep up with the numerous characters strewn about the “GOT” universe. Jeor Mormont was the former Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch and also known more commonly as the “Old Bear.” Interestingly, the actor, James Cosmo, is quite the legend in the British acting scene, hence, the reason he’s earned an Order of Excellence award for his dedication to acting.
His history in showbiz is decorated with some fine productions, including “Braveheart,” “Trainspotting,” and “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.” Since “GOT,” Cosmo has added roles in the series “His Dark Materials” and “Jack Ryan” to his already impressive repertoire.
Charles Dance – Tywin Lannister
This character has to be one of the biggest baddies of the Lannister clan – the so-called mastermind behind all Lannister strategies. And like all masterminds of a syndicate, you rarely get to know much about the real brain behind the business. This truly applies to the head Lannister. Though we don’t know really get to know his “GOT” persona, we know all about the actor, Charles Dance, who portrayed him.
With an acting career spanning several decades, Dance is a notable figure in the British acting scene. Dance has been awarded a Most Excellent Order of the British Empire award for his contributions to film and theatre. After “GOT,” Dance had a main role in “The Crown” and joined “The Kingsman” film franchise and the critically acclaimed “The Imitation Game.”
Jerome Flynn – Bronn
Though he is little more than a mercenary, Bronn is shrewd, cool, and collected and a great source of comic relief for the violent and heavy series. Bronn may be little more than a mercenary – who will sell his sword for the right price. Jerome Flynn is the man behind this sellsword. Interestingly, Flynn made up one-half of the pop duo “Robson & Jerome.” Naturally, he was the Jerome half of this duo.
Before his days as a pop sensation, Flynn’s had some success on the silver screen. He starred in “Soldier Soldier” and starred as DS Eddie Hargreaves in “Between the Lines” Since his days as Bronn on “GOT,” Flynn appeared in “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum” and joined the main cast of the mystery drama “Ripper Street.”
Sibel Kekilli – Shae
With Shae’s untimely exit from the show, this character doesn’t get the opportunity to restore our trust in her. Perhaps, it has something to do with whose bed her boots were last under. Despite this slip-up, we were all sad to say goodbye to the German actress Sibel Kekilli. She brought comic relief but also tender moments to the somewhat bleak “GOT” culture.
In the early 2000s, Sibel Kekilli was noticed by a casting director while she was shopping at a mall in Cologne. Kekilli landed a main role in the German drama “Head On.” In 2006, she starred in the Turkish-Greek film ‘Home Coming.” Since “GOT,” the German/Turkish actress has joined the cast of “Berlin, I Love You” and the Finnish crime “Bullets.”
Oona Chaplin – Talisa Maegyr
It was not only Robb Stark who lost his heart to this doe-eyed beauty but us too. We’re very much taken with the healer, Talisa Maegyr, that we understand why Robb changed his mind and broke off his engagement to a Frey. It proved to be a deadly mistake with huge ramifications. Talisa is played by the actress Oona Chaplin. And as you can see from her last name, this actress was made for the screen.
Not only was her grandfather the world-renowned actor Charlie Chaplin, but her mother was the actress Geraldine Chaplin. After her short season in “GOT,” this actress is doing what she was born to do. We can expect to see her in “Avatar 3” and its sequel “Avatar 4.”
Liam Cunningham – Davos Seaworth
One of the more fascinating “GOT” relationships is that between Stannis Baratheon and Davos Seaworth, a knight and former smuggler. Davos Seaworth acts like his master’s right-hand man, and his former occupation as a smuggler gives him keen insight into the going-on. The actor who brought this curious character to the screen is the Irish actor Liam Cunningham.
While this actor is best known for his role as Davos Seaworth, before “GOT,” he starred in the Irish film “The Wind That Shakes the Barley” starring Cillian Murphy. Since the series finale, Cunnigham joined the cast of the series “Domina.” He also was a voice actor for the animation “Masters of the Universe: Revelation.” We also saw him in the film “The Last Voyage of the Demeter.”
Tom Wlaschiha – Jaqen H'ghar
As one of the Faceless Men, an organization of trained assassins, we’re pretty sure that his actual name wasn’t Jaqen H'ghar. In fact, there are so many details that we don’t know about this character. What we are sure of is the details of the actor, Tom Wlaschiha. Originally from Germany, Wlaschiha has carved a name for himself both in the German and American acting scenes.
“GOT” gave the actor plenty of momentum in the American entertainment industry as after the fantasy series, Wlaschiha starred in the extremely popular “Stranger Things” in season four, and before that, he was a cast member of “Jack Ryan.” He hasn’t completely abandoned the German acting scene, as he provided the voice acting for the German dubbing of Buzz Lightyear in "Lightyear” (2022).
Kristofer Hivju – Tormund Giantsbane
While “GoT” is renowned for having confusing and difficult fictional names, we’re happy to say in the case of Tormund Giantsbane and Kristofer Hivju – the actor who played this wildling – Hivju certainly has the more difficult name to remember. However, Hivju isn’t a name you should forget. Since “GOT,” the Norwegian actor, Hivju has had several roles.
While we can definitely say “The Bear” is not going to be any actor’s finest work, you will catch Hivju making an appearance in it. The Norwegian actor has also added appearances in “The Witcher” and roles in the Norwegian crime drama “Twin” to his acting credentials. In terms of film, the actor has expanded his resume, including appearing in “Red One” and “Distant.”
Nathalie Emmanuel – Missandei
Missandei was once a slave, but under Daenerys, she becomes a trusted advisor and messenger. It helps that she speaks 19 languages. While her real-life counterpart, Nathalie Emmanuel, cannot add those many languages to her acting resume, she can add a number of roles. Though the actress was born in 1989, her career in showbiz has taken off after “GOT.”
Interestingly, one of Emmanuel’s first performances was on stage in the musical production of “The Lion King.” After “GOT,” you will certainly remember her face if you watched the vampire horror “The Invitation” or the animation fantasy “The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance,” which she did voice work for.
Iwan Rheon – Ramsay Bolton
There are also plenty of “GOT” characters who do awful things because they are driven by their own selfish agendas – and then there’s Ramsay Bolton. Though Bolton is the son of a very hard (and disloyal) northerner, Roose Bolton, Ramsay is as ruthless as they come.
We’d have to say, as chilling as his character is, Iwan Rheon, the Welsh actor portraying Ramsay, has done pretty well for himself in the acting world. Recently, he starred in the 2022 version of the German musical (film) “The Magic Flute” and also had a role in “Berlin I Love You.” In terms of TV, the actor continues to be strong. You can see him in the series “Wolf” and “American Gods.”
Michael McElhatton – Roose Bolton
This character gave viewers one of the most chilling scenes in the episode “The Rains of Castamere” – and there are plenty of tense and haunting moments. Only an immensely capable actor would have been able to act out such a scene. It was the Irish actor, Michael McElhatton, whose performance in this scene was so on point.
While Michael McElhatton is not a household name, he has long contributed to the entertainment world. One of his notable roles was in the comedy series “Paths to Freedom.” The Irish actor is certainly by no means done. You might have recognized him in Ridley Scott’s historical drama “The Last Duel” and the Amazon Prime series “The Wheel of Time.”
Maisie Williams – Arya Stark
This Stark character is one of the fans’ favorites. Arya Stark, the second sister, is a “stark” contrast to her older sister. Where Sansa is feminine, Arya wants to learn to be a formidable fighter. And though the “GOT” world is ruthless, Arya does just that. In fact, eventually, her sole mission is to seek vengeance for her loved ones. Maisie Williams is the face behind this onscreen persona.
“GOT” gave this young actress the boost her career needed as since the epic series, Williams has had plenty of acting gigs despite her age. In 2017, she was cast in “Mary Shelley” alongside Elle Fanning, and in 2022, she joined the cast of the biographical miniseries “Pistol.”
Hannah Murray – Gilly
Though we are only introduced to this character in Season 2, Gilly is a perspective into the world beyond the wall – showing how harsh living as a wildling woman can be. Thanks to the actress, Hannah Murray, gives us a convincing portrayal of this innocent and kind, wildling woman. Even before “GoT,” an English actress was steadily creating a name for herself in the British acting scene.
You’d best remember this actress as Cassie from “Skin.” Both “GOT” and “Skins” were a long time back. Murray has had her finger in a couple of different pies since. In 2018, she starred in the American biographical drama based on the Manson family, “Charlie Says.” She also added a main role in the series “The Expecting” (2020) to her acting resume.
Jonathan Pryce – The High Sparrow
One thing that is curious about the “GOT” saga is that though the series revolves around lineage and ancestry, sometimes, we don’t get to know the true names of some characters. The High Sparrow is one. He’s the leader of a religious movement that instigates a revolt. Do not be deceived by this character’s humility and kindness; he’s as shrewd and calculating as many of the “GOT” characters. Only an immensely talented actor such as Jonathan Pryce could pull off such a convincing role.
As an enduring figure in the Hollywood scene, Pryce has starred in the Bond film “Tomorrow Never Dies” and the pirate saga “Pirates of the Caribbean.” Since “GOT,” Pryce played another religious figure in “The Two Popes,” where he starred as Pope Francis.
Conleth Hill – Varys
We’re never quite sure where we stand with the royal advisor, Varys. Even the “GOT” characters never quite know whose side Varys is really on. The Northern-Irish actor, Conleth Hill, starred as the intriguing Varys. One thing you might not know is that Hill has won two Olivier Awards for Best Actor for his roles in the stage productions “Stones in His Pockets” and “The Producers.” However, both were before “GOT.”
Since the epic fantasy’s finale, Hill has joined the cast of British films “Infinitum: Subject Unknown” and “Here Are the Young Men.” You can also see him in the Agatha Christie adaption “Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?.” It seems like Hill has discovered a new love for murder mystery as the Northern Irish actor also starred in “Magpie Murders.”
Rickon Stark – Art Parkinson
The young Irish actor, Art Parkinson, stars as the youngest of the Stark clan – Rickon. While this actor is best known for his role in “GOT,” as young as he is, Parkinson’s acting career had already begun before joining the cast of “GOT.” Back in 2008, Parkinson was featured in the British horror, “Freakdog.” After Season 6, we said our goodbyes to Rickon, and thus Parkinson was free to pursue other acting parts.
The following year he was cast in the fantasy film “I Kill Giants” (2017), co-starring Imogen Poots. That year, he starred in the war drama oddly titled “Zoo.” Parkinson also continued his career in TV as, in 2019, he was cast in the ITV crime drama “The Bay.”
Dean-Charles Chapman – Tommen Baratheon
The young English actor, Dean-Charles Chapman – who hails from Essex – portrays Tommen Lannister. Oops, did we say Lannister? It must have been a slip of the tongue. What we mean is that Chapman portrays Tommen Baratheon (but we all know better). While Chapman is a young actor, he has quite an impressive acting resume. And since his exit from “GOT” in Season 6, he has only been adding to his already impressive resume.
He starred in the Sci-Fi/post-apocalyptic drama “Into the Badlands” in 2018. The next year he joined the cast of the British true crime series “The Walk-In.” Interestingly, Chapman has not said goodbye completely to “GOT” as he joined some of his fellow cast members, Bella Ramsey and Ralph Ineson, in “Catherine Called Birdy.”
Peter Dinklage – Tyrion Lannister
There are few characters who fans love more than the sharp-tongue and quick-witted Tyrion Lannister. And it was not only fans who loved this character but critics too. American actor, Peter Dinklage, took home numerous awards after portraying Tyrion Lannister, including four Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe, and a Screen Actors Guild.
Not that anyone wasn’t convinced of Dinklage’s onscreen prowess before, but since “GOT,” the American actor has been busy. In 2021, he starred in the main role of Cyrano in the romantic musical “Cyrano.” He once again had a main role in the comedy “American Dreamer.” Dinklage also made up the cast of “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” (2023). It seems like we’re still going to see a lot more of Peter Dinklage.
Lena Headey – Cersei Lannister
There are none more wicked than Cersei Lannister. In fact, this Lannister sister is as wicked as they come. And we have no one else to thank but Lena Headey, the actress who brought this character to life. Interestingly, Headey hails from the British territory, Bermuda, but of late has taken to starring in American productions. After the show’s finale, we finally could say goodbye to the devious Cersei, and Headey could say hello to a number of other characters.
She joined the cast of the animated series “Infinity Train” and the political satire “White House Plumbers.” The actress continues to add to her film credentials as she has starred in the warm-hearted animation “DC League of Super Pets” and had a main role in the thriller “9 Bullets.”
Loras Tyrell – Finn Jones
The English actor, Finn Jones, is the face behind the handsome Loras Tyrell. We had to say goodbye to this actor in Season 6, but this has been good news for Jones as the actor has had plenty of other acting opportunities. In 2018, he starred in the Marvel series “Luke Cage” as Danny Rand, a.k.a Iron Fist.
He also joined the cast of the psychological drama appropriately called “Swimming with Sharks.” Jones has also been adding to his acting credentials on the big screen. He has starred in the films “Leatherface” (2017), “Awake” (2021), and “Canyon Del Muerto” (2022).
Michiel Huisman – Daario Naharis
This royal advisor is not only talented as a lieutenant and trusted councilor, but when it comes to charm, few can compete with Daario Naharis. We can say thanks to the Dutch actor Michiel Huisman, who gave this character his onscreen appeal. Though Huisman built a career for himself in the Dutch entertainment industry, he has slowly been making his mark on the American entertainment industry.
In the 1990s, he starred in the Dutch soap opera, “Goede Tijden, Slechte Tijden.” Following his exit in 2016, Huisman was cast in other series like the horror “The Haunting of Hill House,” the period mini-series “Harley and the Davidsons,” and “The Flight Attendant.” Huisman also had main roles in the Zach Snyder film, “Rebel Moon” and the Christmas film “A Boy Called Christmas.”
Gemma Whelan – Yara Greyjoy
As soon as we meet this character, Yara Greyjoy, we realize she truly resembles the nobility of the Iron Islands. The English actress, Gemma Whelan, portrayed this fierce warrior and “Black Wind” commander, Yara Greyjoy. Whelan was thoroughly devoted to her role as Yara and starred in “Game of Thrones” right until the final season in 2019.
After “GOT,” Whelan has had her hands full. The English actress has been featured in stage, TV, and film productions. In 2020, she joined the BBC comedy stage production “The Upstart Crow.” That same year, she starred as Mrs. Weston in “Emma.” The next year, she made up the cast of the British crime three-part series, “The Tower.”
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau – Jamie Lannister
This character is not quite the Prince Charming you’d expect. In fact, Jamie Lannister is one of those characters you can’t quite put your thumb on. The Danish actor, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, played this eldest Lannister son. Since “GOT,” Coster-Waldau has continued to feature in Danish films.
In 2017, he appeared in the thriller “3 Things” – of which he was also an executive producer. Following his exit from “Game of Thrones,” Coster-Waldau has added to his TV and film credentials. He starred in the AppleTV thriller series, “The Last Thing He Told Me,” Co-starring Jennifer Garner, and made an appearance on “The Simpsons.” In the film, he was the lead in the Canadian American thriller “The Silencing.”
Kristian Nairn – Hodor
We’re unlikely to forget this character’s name as it was the only thing Hodor could say. The actor, Kristian Nairn, starred as Hodor, the loyal Stark stableboy. The actor Nairn hails from Lisburn, Northern Ireland, and since his role as Hodor in “GOT,” his acting career has boomed.
After the fantasy series, Nairn has had a number of minor roles in film and TV. In 2016, he joined the cast of “Mythica: The Godslayer,” and later, in 2019, he had a role in “Robin Hood The Rebellion.” Acting is not Nairn’s only claim to fame; he is also a guitarist and DJ. In 2018, he played backstage as a guitarist for Megadeath in France.
Pedro Pascal – Oberyn Martell
This Dornish character, Oberyn Martell, probably suffers one of the most jaw-dropping defeats, of course, in a perfect “Game of Thrones” fashion. The actor, Pedro Pascal, portraying Oberyn Martell (a.k.a. The Red Viper) hardly needs an introduction. In fact, this Chilean-born actor has been making waves in Hollywood. In the mid-1990s, Pascal had several minor roles in “Downtown” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”
After “GOT,” Pascal starred in a lead role in the “Star Wars” spin-off, “The Mandalorian” as The Mandalorian. He revived this role in the “Star Wars” spin-off, “The Book of Boba Fett.” In films, he featured in “Wonder Woman 2” and “The Equalizer 2.” We can expect Pascal in another sequel, “Gladiator 2.”
Kit Harrington – Jon Snow
While it is hard to say which character was a favorite among fans, Jon Snow – the 998th Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch – and someone who eternally knows nothing is definitely up there. The English actor, Kit Harrington, was the actor who brought this character to life and captured the imagination of audiences everywhere. Since his breakout role as Jon Snow, Harrington returned to cinema and has been a regular feature since.
In 2021, he starred in the MCU film “Eternals” and in 2022, in the horror “Baby Ruby.” He has returned to TV in the drama anthology “Extrapolations.” However, this is not all Harrington has been up to. In 2018, he married his co-star, Rose Leslie, and the two have since welcomed two children.
Jessica Henwick – Nymeria Sand
Some of the coolest female characters are the Sands. Given that Oberyn Martell’s daughters are nicknamed the Sand Snakes, it just makes them much cooler. One Sand Snake is Nymeria Sand, played by the Chinese/Singaporean actress Jessica Henwick. Born Jessica Yu-Li Henwick in Surrey, England, Henwick has steadily been adding to her acting resume – you might recognize her from the seventh “Star Wars” film, “The Force Awakens.”
Following her exit from “Game of Thrones,” she has since had several roles, including the MCU character Colleen Wing. Henwick revived this role in “Luke Cage,” “Iron Fist,” and “The Defenders.” You might also recognize her role as “Peg” in the “Knives Out” sequel, “Glass Onion.”
Michelle Fairley – Catelyn Stark
Certainly, it is impressive that Danaerys is the Mother of Dragons, but Catelyn Stark is the Mother of Starks – and that’s equally impressive, except for Jon Snow, which is the thorn in this character’s side. Like many members of the “GOT” cast, the actress Michelle Fairley, who portrays the Mother of Starks, hails from Northern Ireland. Since the late 1980s, this Northern Irish actress has been making a name for herself by having roles in the horror film “The Others” and the series “Inspector Morse.”
“GoT” was one of her later roles, but she has added plenty more to her resume. On abruptly exiting the show in season 3 (you know why), Fairley had main roles in TV productions “The White Princess,” “Gangs of London,” and “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.”
Jacob Anderson – Grey Worm
While we best know British actor Jacob Anderson by his onscreen portrayal as a royal advisor to Danaerys, Anderson has quite a history in the entertainment industry. In the late 2000s, Anderson had several minor roles in various British films and series like “Skins” and “The Bill.” One of his breakthroughs was as Grey Worm in “GOT.”
It seemed like this was the break Anderson needed as since “GOT,” the actor has landed bigger acting opportunities like joining the British crime mystery, “Broadchurch” in Season 1. Anderson also was a regular cast member of the British Sci-Fi “Doctor Who” in Season 13 and more recently, landed a lead role of Louis de Pointe du Lac in the series “Interview with a Vampire” (2022).
Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson – Gregor Clegane a.k.a. The Mountain
There is a reason why this character is nicknamed “The Mountain.” He’s big – really, really big. Though we don’t see much of him, whenever Gregor Clegane makes an appearance, he definitely makes a big impact. Interestingly, Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, the actor who portrays The Mountain, is not exactly an actor. He’s more of an athlete – and a very strong and big one at that.
Björnsson hails from Reykjavík, Iceland, and is considered one of the strongest men now, making him perfect for the role of Gregor Clegane. Since “GOT,” he has won several strongman competitions, including Europe’s Strongest Man, the Arnold Strongman, and World’s Strongest Man. With such a dazzling record for being strong, in 2023, Björnsson entered the World’s Hall of Fame.
Kate Dickie – Lysa Arryn
This character is probably not our favorite, but she’s certainly one that captures the viewer’s imagination – and probably, not for the right reasons. Lysa Arryn is Catelyn Stark’s somewhat eccentric sister. The capable Scottish actress, Kate Dickie, brings this eccentric character and all her colorful (and peculiar) antics to life. Dickie hails from East Kilbride, Scotland, and has been acting since the late 1990s.
Interestingly, this actress started her journey out in stage productions but achieved some fame in her role in the BBC drama “Tinsel Town.” Since “GOT,” she has added several acting credentials in film and TV to her name. She starred as Queen Guinevere in the medieval fantasy “The Green Knight” (2021), in the historical film “The Northman” (2022), and makes an appearance in the series “Loki.”
Bella Ramsey – Lyanna Mormont
This warrior woman and Head of the House of Mormont is portrayed by the young and up-and-coming actress Bella Ramsey. Like her onscreen persona, English actress Ramsey is a leading lady. While Lyanna Mormont may be the leader of the Mormont family, Ramsey has been in the lead role in the extremely successful post-apocalyptic drama “The Last of Us.”
Ramsey was also the lead role in the animated production “Hilda” in 2019. To add to her already dazzling repertoire, Ramsey starred in the historical series “Becoming Elizabeth” and also featured in the fantasy series “His Dark Materials.” That doesn’t mean she’s completely forgotten about her “GOT” days. She starred alongside her former co-stars, Dean-Charles Chapman and Ralph Ineson, in the film “Catherine Called Birdy” as the lead role of Birdy.
Joseph Mawle – Benjen Stark
Considering that this is the character who has a hand in starting off this epic fantasy, Benjen Stark definitely deserves a mention on this list. He had such a short time in the show, but his presence will be felt forever. So, it’s only fair if we see what Joseph Mawle has been up to since his appearance on “GOT.”
The English actor, Mawle, who starred as the Ranger of the Night’s Watch, Benjen Stark, has had quite a career in the entertainment industry. Interestingly, it only seems to be getting better. After his appearance in Season 1 of “GOT,” Mawle starred in the series, “The Rings of Power,” “Ripper Street,” and in the role of Odysseus in “Troy: Fall of a City.”
Donald Sumpter – Maester Lewin
Here we have one of the most loyal servants. British actor, Donald Sumpter, portrayed this loyal servant in the epic fantasy. However, you won’t be mistaken if Sumpter seems a familiar face. In fact, the British actor has had a career spanning almost seven decades. Some of Sumpter’s initial roles were minor ones in series such as “Doctor Who” and “Agatha Christie's Poirot.”
Sumpter has also starred in critically acclaimed films such as “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” “K-19: The Widowmaker,” “The Constant Gardner,” and “Eastern Promises.” Since the epic fantasy, he has had roles in the extremely successful “Chernobyl,” returned to the enduring British hit “Doctor Who,” and had cameos in “Peaky Blinders.”
Pilou Asbæk – Euron Greyjoy
If you’ve been exiled by the Iron Islanders, you must be pretty bad. Meet Euron Greyjoy. He’s the brother of Balon Greyjoy – Lord of the Iron Islands. Now meet Pilou Asbæk, the Danish actor who did some serious method acting to bring this character to the screen. First, we must commend Asbæk on his performance. He delivered a great portrayal of Euron and had to wear an eye patch throughout.
Asbæk started out his career starring in Danish productions, but recently he has branched off to American productions. Since “GOT,” the Danish actor has starred in the “Aquaman” sequel, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” (2023), and the remake of “Ben-Hur” (2016), where Asbæk portrayed Pontius Pilate.
Gethin Anthony – Renly Baratheon
There are three Baratheon brothers, and British actor Gethin Anthony portrayed the youngest brother, Renly Baratheon. Though Anthony is most well-known for his role as Renly Baratheon, he has since added a number of acting credentials to his resume. One of Anthony’s first acting breaks was on stage in the play “Boris Godunov” at the Royal Shakespeare Company.
The actor became more of a familiar face when he landed his role in “Game of Thrones.” However, things have been looking up for Anthony. He recently starred in the main role as Charles Manson in the series “Aquarius” and had a role in the drama series “Manhunt: Unabomber.”
Nell Tiger Free – Myrcella Baratheon
As the youngest child of Cersei Lannister and her brother…we mean former King Robert, Myrcella Baratheon meets an unkind ending. The actress who played this princess is the English actress Nell Tiger Free. Originally, the actress Aimee Richardson starred as the youngest Lannister, but Free took over in Season 5. Free hails from Kingston upon Thames in London.
Though young, the London-based actress has steadily been adding to her acting repertoire. One of her first roles was in the BBC film “Mr. Stink.” Thank goodness, Free is free of that one. “Game of Thrones” proved to be a big breakthrough for the actress as after starring in the epic series, she landed main roles in the American psychological horror series “Servant” and the crime miniseries “Too Old to Die Young.”
Eugene Simon – Lancel Lannister
This knight is the nephew of Tywin Lannister and cousin to Cersei, Jamie, and Tyrion – although it is suggested that he might be much closer to Cersei than a cousin (then again, who isn’t). The actor behind Lancel Lannister is the English actor, Eugene Simon. Though one of his notable roles was in the epic fantasy, Simon is also known for his role Nickelodeon mystery show, “House of Anubis.”
He made a reappearance in the “House of Anubis” spin-off, “House of Anubis: Touchstone of Ra” (2013). Later in he had a minor role in the British comedy thriller “Kill Ben Lyk.” Things have picked up a bit for Simon. In 2021, he was cast in a lead role in the British mystery series, “Sensation.”
Ralph Ineson - Dagmer Cleftjaw
They don’t come any more Iron Islanders than Dagmer Cleftjaw. Ralph Ineson portrayed the Iron-islander and Pyke’s man-at-arms and first-mate. Though Ineson did a fantastic job portraying this rugged and harsh Iron Islander, Ineson has had a career in the British acting scene spanning three decades and several amazing credentials on his resume. Following his guest appearances on “Game of Thrones,” Ineson delivered one of his best performances yet on the critically acclaimed “Chernobyl.”
Subsequently, he has also starred in the medieval film “The Green Knight” and the historical movie “The Northman” where Ineson reunites with fellow “GOT” cast member Kate Dickie. Ineson also starred in “To Catch a Killer,” alongside American actress Shailene Woodley.
Mark Stanley – Grenn
Grenn makes up the trio of men of the Night’s Watch who first torment Jon Snow but later become his friend and ally. One-third of the trio is Grenn, and actor Mark Stanley portrays this man of the Night’s Watch. Stanley is a British actor who hails from Leeds in Yorkshire. Since his teens, he has been acting, but his first true breakthrough was in the epic fantasy, “Game of Thrones.”
Afterward, Stanley added several more acting parts to his resume in the entertainment industry. He made an appearance in the seventh “Star Wars” film, “The Force Awakens” and starred as King Arthur in the reboot “Hellboy” (2019). With TV, Stanley has had more opportunities. One of his bigger roles was as King VIII in the miniseries “Anne Boleyn.”
Peter Vaughan – Maester Aemon
You never know who you might find at Castle Black. Jon Snow meets an unlikely individual known as Maester Aemon, who’s really one of the remaining Targaryens. Portraying one of the Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch’s closest advisors and one of the most inconspicuous characters, Maester Aemon, is the late actor Peter Vaughan. During his career in entertainment, Vaughan had made a name for himself on stage.
Some of his finest work up to date includes portraying Grouty in the classic sitcom “Porridge” and Winston the Ogre in the classic “Time Bandits” alongside John Cleese and Shelley Duvall. Sadly, Vaughan did not star in other films after “GOT.” Before the series had finished, Vaughan passed away at the age of 93.
Julian Glover – Grand Maester Pycelle
While you might think this character is just another doddering old man, you’d be rather wrong. Grand Maester Pycelle knows exactly where his bread’s buttered, and he likes to make sure it is buttered – no matter which king he councils. The classically trained actor Julian Glover stars as this shrewd character.
As Glover has received a Most Excellent Order of the British Empire award for his contributions to acting, it’s clear Glover is quite a big deal when it comes to the silver screen. In fact, one of his most well-known roles is portraying General Veers in the classic “Star Wars” film “The Empire Strikes Back.” This actor of many talents also did the voice acting for the gargantuan spider Aragog in “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.”
Owen Teale – Allister Thorne
Like most of us, Allister Thorne is probably not your favorite “GoT” character as he gives Jon Snow a hard time during his training at the Night’s Watch. Considering that Allister Thorne is the master-at-arms, he has abundant opportunities to give Jon Snow a hard time. Though the Welsh actor, Owen Teale, is most well-known for his role as Thorne, the actor has had a career in entertainment spanning several decades.
One of his first performances was in “Robin Hood” (1991), starring Uma Thurman. Later, he also starred in “King Arthur” (2004), co-starring Clive Owen and Kiera Knightley. Following his role in “GOT,” Teale has also had roles in the British fantasy series “A Discovery of Witches” and the British comedy “Stella.”
Lino Facioli - Robin Arryn
In all honesty, we don’t get to spend much time getting to know Robin Arryn, and to be perfectly honest; we don’t want to. After his father’s death, Robin is the Head of the House of Arryn and Lord of the Eyrie, but we’re not so sure he will be that capable a leader. Lino Facioli is the actor who stars as Robin.
Facioli is an actor hailing from the state of São Paulo, Brazil. As the actor was born in 2000 and is still young, he hasn’t had that many acting opportunities. Interestingly, his first notable role was as Naples in the comedy film “Get Him to the Greek” (2010). Since “GOT,” the actor has had the lead role in the Brazilian film “The Boy in the Mirror.”
David Bradley – Walder Frey
There are a few contenders for the most wicked character in “GOT,” but one contender is definitely Walder Frey. Since Frey is Lord of the Twins, his territory is in a geographical hotspot, putting him in a powerful position. David Bradley is the actor who gave one of the most wicked “GOT” characters a face – sadly, Bradley’s face.
Fortunately, Bradley’s face is also the face of other notable roles, including the caretaker, Argus Fitch, in the “Harry Potter” franchise. Following “GOT,” Bradley joined the cast of Guilherme del Toro and Chuck Hogan’s “The Strain” and the British black comedy “After Life,” which was not only directed by Ricky Gervais but starred the comedian too.
Alexandra Dowling – Roslin Tully
Not only were we expecting Roslin to be one of the least pleasant Freys, but so was Edmure Tully, Roslin’s husband. Sadly, Roslin Tully is just a pawn in the Red Wedding plot. The English actress Alexandra Dowling stars as this unwilling pawn, Roslin. The English actress has steadily been adding to her acting credentials. Whether it is film, TV, or stage, Dowling has been building up her repertoire.
One of her most notable roles was portraying Queen Anne in “The Three Musketeers” series reboot of 2014. Following “GOT,” Dowling also landed a role in the TV film, “Agatha Christie’s Poirot” in the episode “Elephants Can Remember.”
Clive Russel – Ser Brynden Tully
Also known as The Blackfish, since he belongs to the House of Tully, Ser Brynden is the uncle to Catelyn, Lysa, and Ser Edmure Tully. The British actor Clive Russel stars as Ser Brynden Tully. Russel has had quite an impressive career in the entertainment industry. One of his first standout roles was in the stage production “Accidental Death of an Anarchist,” where Russel portrayed a superintendent.
It looks like Russel’s days of playing policemen are not over. After “Game of Thrones,” Russel delivered another excellent performance as the Chief Inspector Frederick Abberline in “Ripper Street.” He has also had several minor roles in the popular TV series “Outlander” and Ridley Scott’s historical drama film, “The Last Duel.”
Tara Fitzgerald – Selyse Baratheon
Wife to Stannis Baratheon, a devoted follower of Lady Melisandre, and mother to Shireen Baratheon is Selyse Baratheon. Though Selyse has a minor role in the epic fantasy “Game of Thrones,” she’s a complex character. While you’d definitely recognize the English actress Tara Fitzgerald for starring as Selyse Baratheon, you’ve probably seen this actress around.
One of her more well-known roles was in the British crime drama “Waking the Dead.” She revived the role of Eve Lockhart in “The Body Farm.” Following “GOT,” Fitzgerald has had several small roles like in “The Three Musketeers,” but also enjoyed more screen time in “Requiem.”
Kerry Ingram – Shireen Baratheon
This young actress, Kerry Ingram, stars as the greyscale-afflicted and only daughter of Stannis and Selyse Baratheon. Though young, Ingram started acting as a child in plays such as “Oliver.” In 2012, she won the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role as Matilda in “Matilda: The Musical.”
In 2013, she landed the role of Shireen Baratheon in “GOT,” and her career on the silver screen has only taken off. Ingram became a regular cast member of the British drama “Free Rein” as Rebecca ‘Becky’ Sidebottom. The actress revived the role for two feature films, “Free Rein: The 12 Neighs of Christmas” and “Free Rein: Valentine's Day.”
Rosabell Laurenti Sellers – Tyene Sand
The Dornish characters definitely add a bit of spice to the already mixed characters of “GoT.” Tyene Sand is one of Oberyn Martell’s daughters and one of the Sand Snakes. The young American actress, Rosabell Laurenti Sellers, starred as Tyene Sand, in “Game of Thrones.” From a young age, Sellers began pursuing a career in acting.
Though she moved to Rome, she would continue with her dreams of becoming an actress. We’re glad that the actress fulfilled her ambitions as she gave us a riveting performance as Tyene. After “GOT,” Sellers starred in the fantasy series “Willow” and the German Sci-Fi “The Swarm.”
Diana Rigg – Olenna Tyrell
Do not be deceived by this character’s age; she’s got a few tricks up her sleeve. Olenna Tyrell is the matriarch of the house of Tyrell, and she’s one underhanded matriarch. The late Dame Diana Rigg portrayed this legendary character. As her title implies, the Dame had received the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire award, signaling that she had made many contributions to British entertainment.
She made up the cast of the original “The Avengers” series as Emma Peel. However, Dame Rigg truly made her stand on the stage where she was in several Shakespeare productions, including “King Lear” and “Macbeth.” Britain lost one of their greats as Rigg passed away in 2020.
Ciarán Hinds – Mance Rayder
He’s known as the King-Beyond-the-Wall, so Mance Rayder is definitely a big deal. The only thing that might be a bigger deal than the king-beyond-the-wall is Ciarán Hinds’ acting resume, which spans several decades. Whether it is film, theatre, or TV, you can bet Hinds has had a finger in the pie.
The Irish actor has starred in adaptions of Jane Austen books such as “Persuasion” (1995) but also critically acclaimed films such as “There Will Be Blood” (2007) and “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” (2011). After his role as Mance Rayder in “GOT,” Hinds starred in the Irish comedy “The Dry” and the espionage miniseries “Treason.”
Richard Brake - Night King
Richard Brake is known for the almighty, the leading name of the White Walkers. He has been around since the early days of the First Men, and the "Games of Thrones" would not have been half as good without him. He is known for "Bringing the Storm" and for eventually becoming the leader of the"Army of the Dead." Richard Brake is the superb name behind this phenomenal character, and he has an honorable reputation behind (or in front) of him.
He gave an exceptional performance in the 2005 version of "Batman Begins," and he played the chemist in the 2018 "Mandy." His charming Welsh origins were well presented in his school years when he attended acting school in London, and these days, he is considered one of the best actors in horror movies.
Ian McElhinney – Ser Barristan Selmy
Joffrey Baratheon creates quite the scene (when does he not?) when he dismisses the knight, Ser Barristan Selmy. This allows the Northern Irish actor Ian McElhinney to show off his acting range. McElhinney hails from Belfast, Northern Ireland. McElhinney has had quite an extensive career as both an actor and director.
For much of his career, McElhinney has had several minor roles in various films and series including starring in the British soap opera, “Coronation Street” in 1998 and making an appearance in the dramatized historical series “The Tudors.” It seems like “GoT” gave McElhinney the boost his acting career needed as after his role in the series, he joined the main cast of the British sitcom “Derry Girls.”
Wilko Johnson – Ser Ilyn Payne
This character probably has one of the best introductions. It is just a testament to how great the dialogue of “Game of Thrones” really is. Ser Ilyn Payne is a silent executioner who, as explained by Joffrey Baratheon, speaks very well with his sword. Interestingly, the actor portraying the silent executioner was not actually an actor but an English musician.
The late musician, Wilko Johnson, is best known as the guitarist of the blues band Dr. Feelgood, who experienced its height of popularity in the 1970s. The band and Johnson are believed to be influential in music, especially the punk scene. Later he formed the Wilko Johnson Band. His role in “GOT” was his debut performance in the acting industry. In November 2022, Johnson passed away.
Daniel Portman – Ser Podrick “Pod” Payne
You might not have known, but Ser Podrick Payne – more commonly known as Pod – is a relative of the silent executioner, Ser Ilyn Payne. Though he serves as much comic relief in the earlier seasons, Pod has a character arc. The Scottish actor, Daniel Portman, is the man behind this Pod and his character arc.
He is also one of the vocalists on a song of the “GOT” soundtrack. While Portman’s career in entertainment has yet to take off, things are looking up since the Scottish actor’s role in “Game of Thrones.” In 2019, he made the cast of the British historical film “Robert the Bruce,” and in 2023, he appeared in a “Black Mirror” episode.
Miltos Yerolemou – Syrio Forel
We meet this character, a sword master, in Season 1 as he becomes Arya Stark’s very first instructor. Though Miltos Yerolemou is of Greek Cypriot descent, the actor grew up in London and has been very involved in the British acting scene. His role in “King Lear” garnered the actor much praise.
After starring as the sword master in “GOT,” Forel moved on to other projects. He made appearances in the seventh “Star Wars” film, “The Force Awakens” and in “The Crown.” One of his most notable performances since the fantasy series was in “The Danish Girl,” starring Eddie Redmayne, Alicia Vikander, and Amber Heard.