This is What The ‘Game Of Thrones’ Cast Looked Like In Their Earliest Roles

Shows like Game of Thrones come around usually only a couple of times in someone’s lifespan. They are so much more than mere TV programs; they become part of the culture, and something everyone is keyed into and excited to talk about.

When you get that involved with a TV show, it’s easy to forget that the people starring in it aren’t the people they are portraying. A good actor will be able to embody any role without giving you even a hint of what they’re like in real life.

Still, it’s totally natural to be curious about such things. That’s why this list of Game of Thrones actors—and the other types of roles they’ve conquered over the years—is so darn cool! If you’re a fan, you’ve got to check it out.

1. While actor Mark Addy gave a commanding performance in his role of Robert Baratheon, he’s not above getting a little goofy with his different roles. A perfect example? The time he played Fred Flintstone in The Flintstones Viva Rock Vegas.

 

2. Charles Dance’s portrayal as the scheming Tywin Lannister might be what you know him from most recently, but he actually got his start in the James Bond movie For Your Eyes Only. If you’re wondering if he played the villain, wonder no more: he absolutely did.

3. You might look at actress Lena Heady and pretty much only see Cersei Lannister, but before she was a bad girl, she was a sweetheart who sent winsome looks into cameras the world over. Just check out her girl-next-door expression in 1992’s Waterland.

4. At this point Peter Dinklage pretty much has fully become his character Tyrion Lannister, right hand to the Mother of Dragons. But before he was the epitome of courtly politics, his breakout performance was in 2003’s The Station Agent.

5. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s very first appearance in a film was back in 1994. He appeared in the Danish film “Nightwatch.” Nowadays, he’s affectionately known by the denizens of King’s Landing as Jaime “The Kingslayer” Lannister.

6. When fans of Game of Thrones see Jack Gleeson’s face now, all they can picture is the hateful (if tiny) despot, Joffrey Lannister. However, believe it or not, his early career was all about looking adorable in movies like Batman Begins.

7. You probably mainly know actor Anton Lesser as Qyburn on Game of Thrones, but he’s been a serious stage performer since the 1970s, when he was a member of the Royal Shakespeare company! You live, you learn.

8. You’ve probably shaken your fist at Julian Glover as he portrayed the old Grand Maester Pycelle on the show. Did you know that he once appeared in Star Wars? He worked for the Dark Side, though, because of course he did.

9. If you’re a film buff, you probably started clapping your hands with glee when you saw Jonathan Pryce tackle the role of the High Sparrow. Before he joined the cast of Game of Thrones, he starred in movies like Terry Gilliam’s classic Brazil.

10. While many of the stars on Game of Thrones have enjoyed storied careers as actors, Jerome Flynn—who plays Bronn—is a little bit different. Though you’d never guess it on the show, he was formerly one-half of a legitimate boy band!

11. If anyone was going to be able to perfectly capture the role of Lady Olenna Tyrell, it had to be the iconic Diana Rigg. For decades she has dominated British TV and movies, starring in the classical spy series The Avengers, and the James Bond classic On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

12. While it might feel like actress Natalie Dormer has been in the acting world forever, she really only got her break in 2005 in the movie Casanova. She rose to fame in the Showtime series The Tudors, which probably prepared her to play Margaery Tyrell.

13. Iain Glen plays everyone’s favorite friend-zoned character on Game of Thrones, Jorah Mormont. While we’ve all marveled at his skills, this isn’t his first rodeo. On the left you can see him (and all of his hair) acting in the ’80s film, Gorillas in the Mist.

 

14. Harry Lloyd may have ever-so-memorably played Viserys Targaryen, but before he conquered that role, he was known for his turn on BBC’s Robin Hood series. He is almost totally unrecognizable with that white blond hair, isn’t he?

15. Emilia Clarke is one of the breakout stars from Game of Thrones. But before she was kicking butts, taming dragons, and taking names as Daenerys Targaryen, she had only ever appeared in two TV roles. One was in a movie called Triassic Attack.

16. Jason Momoa’s first role ever was on Baywatch: Hawaii, and with a body like that, it’s easy to see why. Now, he’s known for his role as the late Khal Drogo on Game of Thrones and his hilarious appearances on the TV show Drunk History.

17. Conleth Hill’s portrayal of Varys is pretty darn flawless. So much so that you might be surprised to know that, in other roles like in the ’90s British sitcom Blue Heaven, he was allowed to showcase all of his hair! That’s right: he’s not bald at all! Talk about movie magic.

18. Nathalie Emmanuel plays Missandei, Daenerys’ right-hand, best friend, and all around badass. Her first on-screen role ever was on Hollyoaks, a long-running nighttime soap opera that is extremely popular in places like the United Kingdom.

19. The quiet but powerful Jacob Anderson is known for his portrayal of the castrated warrior Grey Worm. However, he’s been acting since 2004, desperate to make his mark in the world of show business. It looks like he’s finally done it!

20. Liam Cunningham plays the gruff but ultimately loving Davos Seaworth on Game of Thrones, but the 56-year-old began acting in the ’90s. If you have ever seen The Little Princess, then you’ve seen a somewhat less gray Liam in action.

21. Stephen Dillane is easy to recognize in his former role as Stannis Baratheon, but this experienced actor has been trampling the boards since the early 1990s. If there was a period piece dramatic or otherwise aired by the BBC, chances are he was in it.

22. Rory McCann plays a fearsome Sandor “the Hound” Clegane, but one of his first biggish roles was in the TV comedy The Book Group. With an attitude like the one he shows on GOT, it’s crazy to think of him doing anything comedic.

23. When it was announced that Sean Bean would be playing the role of Ned Stark, fans of the books sighed knowing just how much it would hurt to lose him. Not only is Ned a lovable character, but Sean Bean is a gifted actor who has been in the business for decades.

24. Michelle Fairley played Catelyn Stark, a mother to be feared and one who is very much missed on the show. Though she may already be gone from Game of Thrones, you can see her in plenty of other movies and TV shows. She started working in the business in 1989.

25. Richard Madden made fans swoon in his portrayal of the late, great Robb Stark. However, long before he was going into battle for the Iron Throne, he was making his start as a popular child actor. Did you even recognize him?

26. Much like Emilia Clarke, Kit Harington did not have a lot of experience when he was cast in the role of Jon Snow. In fact, he was only known for playing a role onstage in the West End production of “Warhorse” in London.

27. Maisie Williams has practically grown up on the show! Her very first big acting break was, after all, Game of Thrones! Maisie was cast in the role of youngest daughter-turned-highly trained assassin when she was only 12 years old.

28. Much like her onscreen sister (and real-life best friend) Maisie Williams, Sophie Turner, who plays Sansa Stark, also got her start on Game of Thrones. The producers and casting directors were much more interested in discovering new talent for the show than coasting by on star power.

29. Strangely, Isaac Hempstead Wright’s first role was not playing Bran Stark on Game of Thrones. In fact, his first appearance was in the film The Awakening, which just so happened to be released the same year as the first season of Game of Thrones.

30. Max von Sydow should absolutely not need an in introduction. He’s been an incredibly famous performer since he debuted on the scene in 1949 and he hasn’t stopped since. You might know him the most recently for his work as the Three-Eyed Raven on the show.

31. When you see Gwendoline Christine onscreen as Brienne of Tarth, it’s almost impossible to believe that she didn’t get her start in acting until three years prior. She played an unnamed shopper in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.

32. For the role of Tormund on Game of Thrones, actor Kristofer Hivju sports a beard that’s so huge, it is practically a part of his character. However, his fans already know that when he started acting in the year 2000, he didn’t even have a single chin hair in sight.

33. Aiden Gillen couldn’t have been more perfect if he tried in the role of Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish. That’s probably because he’s been on the scene acting for a long time. He started working in the 1980s only to really get noticed when he appeared in the 1999 series Queer as Folk.

34. At the age of 75, David Bradley has had a long and interesting career that started in the 1970s. However, these days, you’ll best recognize him for his role playing the creepy Walder Frey. Shudder. That guy was the worst!

35. Alfie Allen—who’s the brother of singer Lily Allen—plays the deeply damaged Theon Greyjoy on the show. However, he first made his debut in 1998’s You are Here. He’s also got a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it role in Elizabeth. Look at that sweet baby face!

36. Pilou Asbæk has been accused of channeling Donald Trump in his performance as Euron Greyjoy, complete with bombastic speeches and boatloads of ego. While he’s a new face to U.S. audiences, he actually made a name for himself long ago in Danish cinema.

37. Gemma Whelan casts a dour and dramatic shadow in her role as Yara Greyjoy. That’s doubly impressive when you learn that she is, in fact, a comedian! Her first foray into film acting was in 2010’s The Wolfman. Talk about range, right?

38. Carice van Houten plays Melisandre, a woman to be both admired and feared on Game of Thrones. However, to audiences in Holland, she is much more well-known for her role in the Dutch TV show Suzy Q. Who knew, right?

39. Michiel Huisman, who plays Daario Naharis, made one heck of an impression on audiences, but in Holland he was already super well-known for appearing in the shows Suzy Q and Black Book. Clearly none of us are watching enough Dutch TV.

40. Paul Kaye was known for his comedic character Dennis Pennis on The Sunday Show and for appearing in shows like Pulling, but in Game of Thrones he played Thoros of Myr. It’s crazy how he can go from someone so totally goofy to someone so mesmerizing and mystical.

41. John Bradley’s work playing Samwell Tarly is one of the defining features of the show. While he might seem like a veteran performer, his TV debut in Borgias was actually the same year as his appearance on Game of Thrones
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42. Hannah Murray gives a mesmerizing performance in her role playing Gilly. That’s super impressive considering that she did not even start acting until a few years earlier, when she made her debut in the popular ITV drama, Skins.

43. Joe Dempsie is another veteran of the ITV hit drama Skins. Though he was absent from the show for an extended period of time, he has returned just in time for all the action to take back up his role as Gendry, the bastard son of Robert Baratheon.

44. Thomas Brodie-Sangster made his feature film debut in Love Actually where he captured hearts as a love-stricken boy who learns to the play the drums to impress a girl. When he appeared on Game of Thrones, he also earned acclaim for his role as Jojen Reed.

It’s crazy to think how much work went into casting a show like this. Seeing the range of experienced and relatively inexperienced actors who were cast, you know how serious the entire endeavor was for everyone involved.

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