Game of Thrones Stars, Nearly Unrecognizable in Youth

With Game of Thrones now wrapped, it’s fun to look back at the actors before the wigs, armor, and scheming. Watching the show, you forget these performers had normal lives off-screen, yet these throwback photos prove many looked nothing like their on-screen selves. From cunning counselors to fearsome warriors, the faces you remember from Westeros were once fresh-faced newcomers. How many did you spot right away? Tell us in the comments.

Diana Rigg: From Emma Peel to Olenna

Diana Rigg was a total knockout as Emma Peel on the 1960s spy show The Avengers, doing stunts, riding horses and driving fast cars. Her stage work later included serious theatre pieces and big West End productions, earning her plenty of acclaim. Game of Thrones brought her back into the global spotlight as Olenna Tyrell, a sharp-tongued political operator. The move from super-spy to Queen of Thorns feels oddly fitting.

Jason Momoa: Baywatch Red Trunks to Khal

Jason Momoa began his screen career at 19 on Baywatch: Hawaii, sporting short hair and bright red swim trunks. The youthful lifeguard look is a far cry from Khal Drogo, the fearsome Dothraki warlord with long hair and battle scars. Momoa manages to sell both images, thanks to that intense stare and signature brows. No wonder he became an international favorite.

Kristofer Hivju: Fresh-Faced Grad to Tormund

In an early photo taken after drama school, Kristofer Hivju has a clean jawline and a noticeably different vibe from Tormund. By the time he joined Game of Thrones he was the bearded, boisterous wildling leader everyone knew. Hivju even brought the beard to other projects, like The Fate of the Furious. For this role, the facial hair became part of the character.

Charles Dance: Versatile Actor to Tywin

Charles Dance has played everything from the polished Guy Perron in Jewel in the Crown to the stuffy deputy prime minister in Ali G Indahouse. Those earlier parts show a lighter, more conventional screen presence than his turn as Tywin Lannister. As Tywin he is always in dark clothes and shadowy lighting, a far cry from crisp white shirts or unexpected comic costumes. The shift highlights his range as a performer.

Aidan Gillen (Petyr Baelish)

From the smooth-talking Baltimore politician in The Wire, Tommy Carcetti, Aidan Gillen has come a long way in his career to portray Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish in HBO's Game of Thrones. Despite his more mature face, the two roles aren't too different. Both involve political intrigue, whether it be indecent behavior in his marriage in The Wire, or as the pivotal character upon which much of the Lannister family's political intrigue is hinged. Aidan Gillen has also played a CIA operative in The Dark Knight Rises and Dr. J. Allen Hynek in the History Channel's Project Blue Book.

Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister)

Lena Headey got her debut in the 1992 movie Waterland, and made an appearance in 1993's TV series Soldier Soldier as Shenna Bowles. She looks a lot more fresh-faced, miles away from the queenly roles that were destined for her acting career. She was Guinevere in the 1998 TV mini-series Merlin. Starring alongside big names such as Helena Bonham Carter and John Gielgud, Headey looks resplendent as the wife of King Arthur. It was with the role of king's wife, Cersei Lannister, a leading character in Game of Thrones that Headey received critical acclaim and award nominations.

Gwendoline Christie (Brienne Of Tarth)

With a name that seems like she was always destined for a role in Game of Thrones, Gwendoline Christie also starred in the most recent Star Wars movies. In 2012's Wizards vs Aliens, a TV sci-fi mini-series from the Doctor Who writers, she often appeared in heavy makeup. She was the girlish - but strong - daughter of an alien king. In contrast, Christie's role as the warrior Brienne of Tarth in Game of Thrones is all about appearing as a more powerful female character. The difference is striking.

Iain Glen (Ser Jorah Mormont)

Iain Glen appeared in one of his first two films, 1988's Gorillas In the Mist, as a minor role. His character, Brendan, is one of the students out on the Rwandan summer camp lead by Dian Fossey, played by Sigourney Weaver. What a way to start your acting career! Now, with a little less hair but a long acting career behind him, Glen takes on the role of Ser Jorah Mormont in Game of Thrones. Still strikingly handsome, Glen sports some more interesting costume than his first role back in 1988.

Paul Kaye (Thoros Of Myr)

This is one of the biggest differences on this whole list. Paul Kaye as Dennis Pennis in 1995's Anyone for Pennis is about as far away from Thoros of Myr in Game of Thrones you can get. Dennis Pennis is one of his most iconic films yet you would hard-pressed to recognize him as Thoros in GoT. From a shock reporter for the Sunday Show to a warrior priest, Kaye has had what can only be called a transformative career. These include a part in the stage production of Matilda, for which he received an Olivier nomination.

Sean Bean (Ned Stark)

Sean Bean is one of the most iconic Game of Thrones characters, although he only appeared briefly in the series. Bean has a reputation for characters that often die prematurely in their story. In 1998's mini-series Troubles, he played the dashing Captain Bolton. Bean's military roles weren't to stop there, and before he played the grizzled Ned Stark he also starred in Lord of the Rings as Boromir and as Richard Sharpe in the TV series Sharpe. Despite the beard, Bean is as youthful as ever.

Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister)

Finbar McBridge in 2003's The Station Agent was Peter Dinklage breakthrough role. Dinklage stated he was bored of "comedic" roles and "Lord of the Rings roles" where directors wanted to cast him as elves or leprechauns. It's the seriousness of Dinklage's pose that clearly represents his acting ambitions. That seriousness works into his role as Tyrion Lannister in Game of Thrones, and that piercing stare is a little different in the two images although they are a decade apart. Dinklage is often considered a people's favorite for his crass humor and class acting.

Jerome Flynn (Bronn)

Jerome Flynn is a famous actor, a singer with a #1 hit in the late 1990s, and a guy that took a 10 year break from acting to return with the fantastic role of Bronn in Game of Thrones. It all started in the late 80's though, when he played a fireman in the TV series London's Burning and starred in the ITV Drama The Fear. To return and star in Game of Thrones was unexpected, but he took on the role of Bronn, a dangerous and highly-skilled sellsword, and made it his own.

Kit Harington (Jon Snow)

Despite the beard and long, wild hair, there isn't much difference between the young Kit Harington and him as Jon Snow in Game of Thrones. It was only in 2008 he graduated from the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama, and while he was still at school, he landed his debut professional acting role, the leading role of Albert in the hit stage show War Horse. He was later cast as Jon Snow, for which he has received multiple award nominations and has been honored with the Giffoni Experience Award at its film festival.

Maisie Williams (Arya Stark)

Maisie Williams is one of the most unique people on this list because her role as Arya Stark was actually her professional acting debut. From a blonde-haired little girl with a cheeky smile, Williams' is fierce and powerful as Arya Stark. She has won multiple awards for her part in GoT, including the EWwy Award for Best Supporting Actress, the Portal Award for Best Supporting Actress, and a Saturn Award for Best Performance from a Younger Actor. We're excited to see where Maisie Williams' career takes her after the final conclusion of Games of Thrones.

Conleth Hill (Lord Varys)

Conleth Hill doesn't look much alike in these two snapshots of his acting career, though that could be to do with the lack of hair and wacky costumes involved with his role of Lord Varys in Game of Thrones. One of his earliest roles was as Roache in 1992's Blue Heaven, a television series where he starred alongside popular actor Frank Skinner. His role of Lord Varys in Game of Thrones allowed him to use his theatrical experience and turn it into a powerful on-screen performance of the character often known as 'The Spider.'

Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (The Mountain)

Now this one is an interesting one - can you see any correlation between the three pictures of Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson? Maybe you might notice that the baby pic has a slightly upturned left eyebrow, a bit like the middle picture… but the third? Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson was not always an actor, but a professional bodybuilder. He is currently the World's Strongest Man. That definitely explains the transformation! His stature suits the role of Gregor 'The Mountain' Clegane, but he has also brought an awesome acting prowess to the show.

Carice Van Houten (Melisandre)

Carice Van Houten had her breakthrough into the acting world in 1999 with the TV film Suzy Q. She won a Golden Calf Award for her performance as Suzy. She went on to star in Black Book, a 2006 Dutch film that remains the most economically successful Dutch production ever. She won her second Golden Calf Award for her performance. Since 2012, Carice Van Houten has received international recognition for her on-going role as Melisandre. She has received further nominations for several different awards for her portrayal of the strong Red Priestess.

Rory Mccann (Sandor Clegane Aka The Hound)

Rory McCann is a Scottish actor who is most known for his role as Sandor 'The Hound' Clegane in Game of Thrones. It can be a little difficult to tell between McCann's fresh-faced role in 2002's The Book Group and his appearance as The Hound in GoT. He received a Scottish BAFTA for his performance as Kenny McLeod and went on to star in Edgar Wright's British comedy Hot Fuzz as Michael. In Game of Thrones he portrayed the younger brother of 'The Mountain' and had a close relationship with Arya Stark.

Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen)

Emilia Clarke appeared in Syfy's 2010 film Triassic Attack, a performance which earned her a place as one of Screen International's UK Stars of Tomorrow. Despite the color of her hair, she looks almost exactly the same. That makes sense. She was cast as Daenerys in the same year and the show debuted a year later in 2011, where she was catapulted into fame as the actress behind Daenerys Targaryen. She has received several nominations and accolades, the most notable being 3 Primetime Emmy nominations.

Liam Cunningham (Ser Davos)

It seems like Liam Cunningham has always been destined to play knightly roles, as his appearance in 1995's First Knight as Sir Agravaine and Ser Davos Seaworth in GoT would suggest. Other than the hairline, Cunningham has retained his knightly stature and a screen presence that comes from years of experience on the stage. Over the years, he has received multiple awards and nominations, including mentions from the London Film Critic's Award and a shared BAFTA with Michael Fassbender for Pitch Black Heist.

Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark)

Sophie Turner made her professional acting debut as Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones way back in 2011. She was cast in the role when she was only 14 years old, which means there isn't a huge difference between her 'then' and 'now' pictures! In GoT, Turner plays Sansa Stark, a young noblewoman, and in 2012 she received a Young Artist award nomination for her role as a best young supporting actress. Another thing that might throw you off is that Turner dyed her role for the audition, and in later seasons wore wigs!

Natalie Dormer (Margaery Tyrell)

Natalie Dormer looks different in really only one way between her two pictures - the color of her hair! In 2005 she was cast in her debut film, Casanova, only six months after graduating. She won high praise from the director who extended her part to include more of her great comedic timing. From 2012 until 2016, Dormer took on the role of Margaery Tyrell, a character who played a minor role in the books as the daughter of Mace Tyrell. Her role was expanded in the TV series adaption of Game of Thrones and at some point, she was one of the main characters.

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister)

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau graduated in 1993 and by 1994 had already been cast in his breakthrough role, Martin in 1994's Nightwatch, where he played a fresh-faced… you guessed it, nightwatchman. He continued his early success with appearances in other films, such as Ridley Scott's Black Hawk Down and 2005's Kingdom of Heaven. Coster-Waldau reached international recognition as Jaime Lannister in the hit TV series Game of Thrones. When asked about his character, he said: "What's not to like about Jaime?" We have to agree on that one!

Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Jojen Reed)

Now here's a transformation! Thomas Brodie-Sangster found fame as a youngster in 2003's Love Actually, a film that is popular the world over. He also appeared in other popular movies such as Nanny McPhee and the cult-favorite Death of a Superhero. Between 2013-2014 he took on the short-lived but powerful role of Jojen Reed in Game of Thrones, a role which required him to be serious and mature. You wouldn't have guessed it possible from the cheeky grin in the first image, but he smashed the performance in GoT!

Alfie Allen (Theon Greyjoy)

Alfie Allen's first acting gig was as Arundel's Son in 1998's Elizabeth, a role he took on when he was just a chubby-faced boy. The difference between then and now is staggering, as his performance as Theon Greyjoy presents a jagged-faced and serious man. Allen plays Theon Greyjoy in Game of Thrones, the son of Balon Greyjoy and ward of Eddard Stark, with the power of an accomplished actor although he hadn't much experience when he was first cast. Some interesting facts about Allen include the fact he is popular singer Lily Allen's brother and he first auditioned for the role of Jon Snow!

Michelle Fairley (Catelyn Stark)

Michelle Fairley has a wide and varied career across television, film and theatre. In 1990 she was cast as Teresa Doyle in Hidden Agenda, a political thriller and her breakthrough role. She also appeared in popular British TV dramas, including The Bill, Casualty and Inspector Morse. In 2008, she was nominated for an Oliver Award for her role in the theatre production of Othello. She is, however, best known for her role as Catelyn Stark in Game of Thrones.

Richard Madden (Robb Stark)

Richard Madden has had a varied career which started with a casting as Romeo in Romeo and Juliet in 2017 which he toured with Shakespeare's Globe Company. This image, however, is from his role as Kirk Brandon in 2010's Worried About The Boy and alongside is an image from Game of Thrones, where Madden played the role of Robb Stark a mere year later. He doesn't look too similar, does he? Must be the platinum blond hair!

Max Von Sydow (Three-Eyed Raven)

Max Von Sydow is a Swedish-born French actor with a long career, appearing in well over 100 different films. This image is from 1957, where he played the youthful but sinister Antonius Block in Bergman's The Seventh Seal. He went on to play important roles in other Bergman films, and starred in others such as Minority Report, and Bond's Never Say Never Again. In 2016, Sydow was cast as the 'Three-Eyed Raven' in the sixth season of HBO's Game of Thrones. Sure, time has played its part, but Sydow has retained that dramatic power behind all his roles.

Jacob Anderson (Grey Worm)

Jacob Anderson is an actor, singer-songwriter and rapper who got his acting breakthrough role in 2008's Adulthood. Adulthood was the gritty sequel to Kidulthood, two films that depicted the ins-and-outs of inner-city London life. From an Adidas jacket to the black garb of Grey Worm in Game of Thrones, not much has changed in Anderson's appearance, but in the interim he released a popular album in 2016 under the alias Raleigh Ritchie. He was also nominated, alongside the rest of the cast of GoT, for the "Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Serie" award.

Jonathan Pryce (High Sparrow)

Jonathan Pryce has had a long and successful career, often commended on his versatile ability to play wildly different roles. His breakthrough came in 1985's Terry Gilliam's cult-classic Brazil where he played Sam Lowry, an ordinary government employee who often imagines himself as a winged warrior. The two pictures of Pryce are barely recognizable, and not just because of the hair. In Game of Thrones, Pryce was taken on-board as a guest actor for the role of the High Sparrow but later was given a full-time role. His outfit is a little more understated than in Brazil!

Rose Leslie (Ygritte)

Rose Leslie is an award-winning Scottish actress known mainly for her role in ITV's 2010 period drama series Downtown Abbey as Gwen Dawson, and later her performance as Ygritte in HBO's Game of Thrones. From humble secretary and maid Gwen Dawson, Leslie got the chance to portray a fierce warrior of the Freefolk from north of the Wall, Ygritte. She received high praise for both her roles, winning a Scottish BAFTA for her performance as Gwen Dawson.

Jack Gleeson (Joffrey Baratheon)

Jack Gleeson had his first acting roles in Reign of Fire and Batman Begins at the young age of only 7 years old. Even though he was so young, he had a big screen presence. Between 2011 and 2014 Gleeson portrayed Joffrey Baratheon in Game of Thrones, a character who disguises his cruelty behind a facade of handsome charm. A role miles away from the fresh-faced little kid in Gleeson's earlier performances. He received high critical praise for his performance, winning IGN's People's Choice Award for Best TV villain.

Iwan Rheon (Ramsay Bolton)

Iwan Rheon is a Welsh actor who got his big breakthrough role playing Simon Bellamy in C4's hit TV series Misfits, although the picture below was taken even before then. Rheon's innocent grin and full fringe are miles away from the villainous role of Ramsay Bolton in Game of Thrones, a role he took on for a total of 20 episodes between 2013-2016. He received critical praise for his role as Bolton, receiving a nomination for TV's Best Villain from IGN and IGN People's Choice.

Gemma Whelan (Yara Greyjoy)

Gemma Whelan is an English actress and comedian, most known for her role as Yara Greyjoy in Game of Thrones. She got one of her first acting roles as Gwen's Maid in 2010's The Wolfman, with a following film role in Gulliver's Travels. From stately, prim and proper maid to the fierce and strong Yara Greyjoy is quite a transformation for Whelan. Whelan plays Greyjoy, who commands her own ship, the Black Wind, and plays a minor role in the series.

Mark Addy (Robert Baratheon)

Mark Addy is an English actor who got his breakthrough film role in 1997's The Full Monty, playing David 'Dave' Horsefall and earning a BAFTA nomination. From stealing scrap metal off scrapyards in The Full Monty, Addy went on to portray the boisterous and lewd King Robert Baratheon in Game of Thrones. His audition for the show was considered one of the easiest by showrunners David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, as Addy seemingly fit into the role like no-one else. Despite the beard and hair, his facial expression is pretty much the same then and now!

Tom Wlaschiha (Jaqen H'gar)

Tom Wlaschiha is a German actor who is best known for his role as Jaqen H'ghar in Game of Thrones, a character he played in the second, fifth and sixth season of the show. There's almost nothing recognizable between Wlaschiha's role in 2008's Spoons and his role as H'ghar in the acclaimed HBO series. Since his appearance in Game of Thrones as an assassin and convict, he has turned to the lighter side as a German police officer in the TV series Crossing Lines.

Indira Varma (Ellaria Sand)

Indira Varma is a British actress who got her breakthrough roles in 2004's Bride and Prejudice and 1996's Karma Sutra: A Tale of Love. She has also appeared in many stage roles, including in 1997's Othello and 2002's Ivanov. In Game of Thrones she took on the role of Ellaria Sand, the paramour of Oberyn Martell and mother of the youngest four "Sand Snakes", the illegitimate daughters. Other than the hair, Varma hardly looks different at all between the two pictures and carries herself with a royal grace.

Hannah Murray (Gilly)

Hannah Murray is best known for her role as Cassie Ainsworth in the 2007 British drama TV series Skins, where she plays a rebellious and fun-loving teenager. She was the recipient of the BAFTA Audience Award for her performance. More recently she took on the role of Gilly in Game of Thrones, a role that required a more mature performance while also capturing what Murray does best as a wildling character. From the wild parties of Skins to the muted snowy wastes of GoT, Murray looks similar - other than the hair!

Isaac Hempstead Wright (Bran Stark)

Isaac Hempstead Wright had little to no acting experience before being cast in Game of Thrones, having only starred in a few TV commercials. Despite this, he took the role of Bran Stark in his stride and received a nomination for the Young Artist Award. These are two shots of Wright - in the role of Tom Hill in 2011's The Awakening and as Bran Stark in GoT - he looks like a completely different person! It could be that combed fringe…

Jim Broadbent (Archmaester Ebrose)

Jim Broadbent is a highly successful English actor with multiple award-winning performances in films such as 2001's Iris and 2006's Longford. He also played the popular role of Horace Slughorn in the Harry Potter film series. This early shot is from one of his earliest films, 1987's Superman IV: The Quest for Peace and the later shot from his role as Archmaester Ebrose in the 2017 seventh season of Game of Thrones. Other than the hairline, Broadbent looks little different in the two shots - even the facial expression is similar!

Michael McElhatton (Roose Bolton)

Michale McElhatton is an Irish actor best known for his role as Roose Bolton in Game of Thrones, a part he took on as a guest star in the second season and continued well into the sixth season. This earlier shot, though, is from the 2000's TV series Paths to Freedom where he played Raymond 'Rats' Doyle, a character trying to reintegrate into society after being in prison. The difference between the two shots is not only McElhatton's appearance, but also the fact he played a northern Lord in GoT!

David Bradley (Walder Frey)

David Bradley is an English actor best known for his roles as Argus Filch, the grumpy caretaker, in the Harry Potter series of movies. More recently he has played the role of Walder Frey in Game of Thrones. This early shot is from all the way back in 1971 in the British drama series A Family at War when Bradley played Colin Woodcock. It was his earliest acting appearance. Of course Bradley looks a little different then and now - there is almost a 40 year time gap!

Richard Brake (Night's King)

Richard Brake is a British-American actor best known for his supporting roles in 2005's Batman Begins and as the Night King in the fourth and fifth season of HBO's Game of Thrones. This earlier shot is from one of his very first film appearances in 1996's Subterfuge, looking oddly like a young Bruce Willis. Obviously there is quite a significant difference between these two shots, given that Brake appears in full CGI and make-up in Game of Thrones for his appearance as the Night King.

Stephen Dillane (Stanis Baratheon)

Stephen Dillane is best known for his performances as Leonard Woolf in the great 2002 film The Hours and more recently, as Stannis Baratheon in HBO's series Game of Thrones. He also won a Tony Award for his lead performance in the 2000's play The Real Thing. This "before" shot is from 1997's 'Welcome to Sarajevo', Dillane's first ever lead performance for film. It was a British war film well received at Cannes. Stephen Dillane took on the role of Stannis Baratheon in 2011, looking different but his facial expression is pretty similar!

Anton Lesser (Qyburn)

Anton Lesser is best known for his role as Qyburn in Game of Thrones and as Thomas More in the adaptation of Wolf Hall. However, if we cast our eyes back to 1988 and the particularly 80s-style adaptation of Twelfth Night, Or What You Will you see a very different Lesser! Gone are the flowing locks and dangling ear-rings, replaced with a stoicism that fit the character of Qyburn very well. It must be Lesser's long and acclaimed career across theatre, film and television.

Owen Teale (Alliser Thorne)

Owen Teale's very earliest acting appearance was way back in 1985's Doctor Who: Vengeance on Varos when he appeared as Maldak, a minor role as a human guard on the planet of Varos. More recently, he is most famously known for his role as Ailliser Thorne in Game of Thrones. Perhaps it's the same hard stare, but you can tell the two images are of Teale immediately! All that's missing is that full front fringe… Teale has gone on to portay characters in other popular series and films, such as Line of Duty and Tolkien.

Pilou Asbæk (Euron Greyjoy)

Johan Philip "Pilou" Asbaek is a Danish actor known for his role as Kasper Juul in Borgen, a Danish political TV drama, and more recently, Euron Greyjoy in Game of Thrones. His earliest film appearance was in World's Apart, or To verdener, a Danish production. Sporting a buzzcut and no beard, you might be fooled between the two pictures! In 2016 Asbaek was cast as Euron Greyjoy, nicknamed "Crow's Eye" because of his patch over his left eye.

Natalia Tena (Osha)

Natalie Tena is an English actress who reached international fame after her portrayal of Nymphadora Tonks in the Harry Potter series of movies. Here she is below, sporting Tonks' iconic bright colored hair and a fierce pose, not too different from her role as Osha in Game of Thrones…the pose is almost identical! Fun fact…other than acting in popular film and television, Tena is also the lead singer and accordionist of the band Molotov Jukebox!

Michiel Huisman (Daario Naharis)

Michiel Huisman is a Dutch actor best known for his role as Daario Naharis in Game of Thrones, but he also played important parts in 2015's The Age of Adaline and 2018's The Haunting of Hill House. This earliest shot, however, is from 2004's Floris, a film about Dutch knights and castles - seems fitting for a role in GoT for sure! The immediate thing you notice between the two shots is Huisman's hair - long golden locks, something that made him a desirable actor - have been replaced by cropped dark hair.

Sibel Kekilli (Shae)

Sibel Kekilli is a German actress who got her breakthrough role in 2004's Head-on, for which she won the first of her two Lola awards. The other was for her performance in When We Leave, or Die Fremde, as pictured below. She reached international attention for her role as Shae in Game of Thrones, the mistress of Tyrion Lannister. She is a mysterious and alluring character with a lot of power on screen, though the difference in appearance between the two shots is minimal really!

Faye Marsay (the Waif)

Faye Marsay is an English actress who got her acting breakthroughs with such roles as Anne Neville in The White Queen (pictured below) and as Candice in the British comedy series Fresh Meat. More recently she played "The Waif" in Game of Thrones, a mysterious role and a character who is a servant of the Many Faced God in the House of Black and White. Compared to her queenly role in The White Queen, Marsay's casting in GoT was for a plainer, stronger appearance.

Nathalie Emmanuel (Missandei)

Nathalie Emmanuel is an English actress who started her acting career primarily on the stage, starring in products like The Lion King. She made her first on-screen appearance as Sasha Valentine in the British soap opera, Hollyoaks, as pictured below. This was to be her breakthrough performance. She was cast as Missandei in Game of Thrones in 2013 and played the role into 2019. Emmanuel's portrayal of Missandei has received high praise from fans and critics alike for her strength and acting prowess. She hardly looks different between her Hollyoaks appearance and in GoT! Even the hair is the same.

Dean-Charles Chapman (Tommen Baratheon)

Dean-Charles Chapman is an English actor who is known for playing Billy Elliot in the West End Production Billy Elliot the Musical and for his role as Tommen Baratheon in Game of Thrones. He also had a role in The White Queen alongside fellow Game of Thrones cast member Faye Marsay, although only as a minor part - he was pretty young at the time! Although the two pictures are of Chapman as a cute baby boy, his character in GoT (Tommen) is also described as a kind, weak-willed and generous boy!

Peter Dinklage Keeps Working

Peter Dinklage has hardly slowed down since his run on Game of Thrones. He added high-profile film roles to his resume and kept turning up in projects that let him stretch beyond Tyrion. He has also collected major awards for his work and is slated for more headline parts coming up. Fans will spot his familiar intensity no matter the role.

Emilia Clarke's Next Chapters

Emilia Clarke has balanced big screen work with charity and theatre. She and her family have been publicly linked to a brain injury recovery charity she helped found, and she keeps taking on varied acting parts. Clarke still brings the same spark she had as Daenerys, only now with more roles and causes on her plate. The public response has been friendly and supportive.

Liam Cunningham Stays Busy

Liam Cunningham has kept a steady and diverse post-GoT career. He has lent his voice to animated projects and to a few new series, while also taking on screen roles beyond the knightly parts. Cunningham has been outspoken on public issues and continues to choose projects that match his range. He remains one of those actors you recognise instantly, whether on camera or behind the mic.

Rory McCann's New Moves

Rory McCann has moved from The Hound to a string of varied projects on screen and behind the mic. He has narrated series work and taken on new film roles that lean into his imposing presence. Casting directors still tap him for physical, striking parts and for quieter, character-driven work alike. Expect to see him in big ensemble pieces as well as smaller, genre films.

Paul Kaye Keeps Reinventing

Paul Kaye has continued to surprise with comedy, stage work and serious drama. The shock-reporter origins of his career have given way to steady TV, film and theatre roles that show his versatility. He pops up in gritty dramas and lighter moments, and he still takes on stage work between screen jobs. That ability to transform is exactly what made his turn as Thoros of Myr so convincing.