Many Game of Thrones actors appeared in memorable films and TV shows before being cast on GoT. Here’s a list of some of the most surprising.
Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister
These days, Peter Dinklage is best known as fan-favorite Tyrion Lannister.
13 Game of Thrones Stars in Earlier Roles
But you might also remember him as the rage-fueled children’s author in the beloved Will Ferrell film Elf.
Diana Rigg as Olenna Tyrell
Diana Rigg plays shrewd Tyrell family matriarch on Game of Thrones.
Diana Rigg in The Avengers
But GoT fans of a certain age might remember Ms. Rigg from the 1960s British spy series, The Avengers.
Charles Dance as Tywin Lannister
Charles Dance owns the role of the sinister Lannister patriarch.
Charles Dance in Last Action Hero
But you might also remember him as the equally evil Benedict in the 1993 Schwarzenegger film, Last Action Hero.
Pedro Pascal as Oberyn Martell
Pascal was brilliant as the vengeful Prince Oberyn.
Pedro Pascal on Buffy the Vampire Slayer
But you might also remember him from his brief role on the cultishly adored TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Natalia Tena as Osha
Natalia Tena turns in a wildly charismatic performance as Osha on GoT.
Natalia Tena in the Harry Potter Series
But you may also remember her as quirky witch Tonks from the Harry Potter films.
Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister
Lena Headey is perfectly cast as the wicked Queen Cersei.
Lena Headey in 300
And she’s no stranger to playing royalty. Headey played Queen Gorgo in the 2006 film 300, as well as in its recent sequel.
Jack Gleeson as Joffrey Baratheon
Gleeson masterfully made the world hate his guts as Joffrey Baratheon.
Jack Gleeson in Batman Begins
But he was far less evil when he played the role of “Adorable Little Boy” in Batman Begins.
Julian Glover as Grand Maester Pycelle
Glover nails the part of dottering Maester Pycelle on GoT
Julian Glover in the Empire Strikes Back
But he first earned his nerd stripes playing General Veers in the Empire Strikes Back.
Thomas Brodie-Sangster as Jojen Reed
Thomas Brodie-Sangster plays the clairvoyant Jojen Reed on Game of Thrones.
Thomas Brodie-Sangster in Love Actually
But rom-com fans may remember him as Liam Neeson’s precocious son in Love Actually
Natalie Dormer as Margaery Tyrell
Before she ever married King Joffrey, Natalie Dormer had plenty of practice playing a queen.
Natalie Dormer on The Tudors
Natalie portrayed Hevry VIII’s wife Anne Boleyn on the Showtime series The Tudors.
Aiden Gillen as Littlefinger
Aiden Gillen was scheming his way through violent terrain long before he reached King’s Landing.
13 Game of Thrones Stars in Earlier Roles
He was just as cunning (but way less shady) on HBO’s acclaimed series The Wire.
Sean Bean as Ned Stark
Sean Bean’s Ned Stark was the central protagonist of GoT until he, um…lost his head at the end of season one.
Sean Bean in The Accused
Bean played a decidedly different role on the BBC legal drama The Accused.
Rose Leslie as Ygritte
Rose Leslie played lovelorn Wildling Ygritte on GoT.
13 Game of Thrones Stars in Earlier Roles
If you weren’t aware that Rose also starred on Downton Abbey, well then we hate to say it…but you know nothing, Jon Snow.