:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Gwendoline-Christie-Game-of-Thrones-071224-eb93a7f086fa465594758d0a541d5cfd.jpg)
Think back to 2011. HBO was taking a massive, expensive gamble on a series involving dragons, incest, and a wall of ice. Before it became a global juggernaut, the series 1 game of thrones cast was a weird mix of legendary character actors and complete unknowns. We didn't know then that the kid playing the "annoying" Joffrey would become the most hated man in television, or that the girl playing Arya had never even acted professionally before.
Looking back from 2026, the perspective has shifted. Some of these actors are now MCU staples, while others basically walked away from the limelight entirely. But that first season? It was lightning in a bottle.
The Stark Reality of the North
Sean Bean was the only reason many people tuned in. Honestly, his face was the entire marketing campaign. As Eddard "Ned" Stark, he brought a level of gravitas that made the high-fantasy setting feel like a gritty historical drama. It’s funny because, at the time, everyone assumed he was the "main character." We know how that turned out.
The casting of the Stark children was the real miracle of the series. Nina Gold, the casting director, found kids who could actually act.
- Maisie Williams (Arya Stark): This was her first ever audition. Can you believe that? She brought this raw, tomboy energy that felt completely authentic.
- Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark): She was only 13. She actually ended up adopting Zunni, the Northern Inuit dog that played her direwolf, Lady, after the character was killed off in season one.
- Richard Madden (Robb Stark): He had to play the "perfect son," which is often a boring role, but he gave Robb a vulnerability that made his eventual fate hurt so much more.
- Isaac Hempstead Wright (Bran Stark): He was just a little kid pushed out of a window. Today, he’s got a neuroscience degree and a £3 million net worth, but back then, he was just the catalyst for the entire plot.
Then you have Kit Harington. As Jon Snow, he spent most of season one looking miserable in the freezing cold of Northern Ireland. It paid off. Not only did he become the face of the show, but he also met his future wife, Rose Leslie (Ygritte), on set. They have two kids now. It’s the one pure thing to come out of Westeros.
Why the Lannisters Were the Secret Sauce
The series 1 game of thrones cast wouldn't have worked without the villains. Or the "complicated" people, depending on how much you like wine and sarcasm.
✨ Don't miss: Priyanka Chopra Latest Movies: Why Her 2026 Slate Is Riskier Than You Think
Peter Dinklage was the first person cast. Literally. George R.R. Martin and the showrunners didn't even look at anyone else for Tyrion Lannister. He was the anchor. While others were playing it straight, Dinklage was bringing this cynical, modern energy that made the audience feel like they had a friend in the room.
Lena Headey and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as the twins? Perfection.
Dinklage actually recommended Lena Headey for the role of Cersei. They were friends in real life, which made those scenes where they're trying to destroy each other even better. Nikolaj, as Jaime, had the hardest job: making a guy who throws children off roofs seem "charming." By the end of season one, he’d pulled it off.
The King and the Khal
Mark Addy as Robert Baratheon is often overlooked, but he was brilliant. He played a man who was a shadow of his former self—a warrior who had "gone to seed." He was loud, drunk, and deeply sad. It’s a performance that holds up better every time you rewatch it.
And then there’s Jason Momoa. Before he was Aquaman, he was Khal Drogo. He didn't speak much English in the show, but he didn't need to. He and Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen) had this incredible chemistry that transformed a very problematic relationship into the heart of the Essos storyline.
🔗 Read more: Why This Is How We Roll FGL Is Still The Song That Defines Modern Country
The Paychecks and the Reality
Let's talk money, because people are always curious about what the series 1 game of thrones cast actually made. In the beginning, it wasn't the millions you'd expect.
The "Tier A" stars—Dinklage, Headey, Coster-Waldau, Clarke, and Harington—eventually negotiated for $500,000 per episode, but in season one, they were making much less. Some of the younger actors, like Alfie Allen (Theon) and John Bradley (Samwell), started at around $10,000 an episode.
| Actor | Character | Status in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Sean Bean | Ned Stark | Still dying in almost every movie he's in. |
| Emilia Clarke | Daenerys Targaryen | MCU star and founder of brain injury charity SameYou. |
| Jack Gleeson | Joffrey Baratheon | Briefly retired from acting; now doing indie theater and small roles. |
| Peter Dinklage | Tyrion Lannister | Established Hollywood A-lister and producer. |
Emilia Clarke’s journey is particularly wild. During the filming of the first season, she suffered a life-threatening brain aneurysm. She didn't tell the public for years. She was out there eating "stallion hearts" (it was actually a giant gummy bear) and acting her heart out while dealing with a literal brain injury. That’s insane.
What Most People Get Wrong
One of the biggest misconceptions about the series 1 game of thrones cast is that it was an immediate "dream team." In reality, the pilot episode was a disaster.
The original pilot featured different actors for Daenerys and Catelyn Stark. Tamzin Merchant was the original Dany, and Jennifer Ehle played Catelyn. When the showrunners saw the footage, they realized it wasn't working. They recast, reshot, and the rest is history.
💡 You might also like: The Real Story Behind I Can Do Bad All by Myself: From Stage to Screen
Also, can we talk about Peter Vaughan? He played the blind Maester Aemon. Most people don't realize he was actually legally blind in real life during his time on the show. He was in his 90s and had a career going back to the 1930s. He passed away shortly after his character died in the show. Talk about commitment.
The Impact on Their Careers
For some, the show was a springboard. For others, it was a shadow they couldn't escape.
Jack Gleeson played Joffrey so well that he got actual death threats from people who couldn't distinguish reality from fiction. He basically quit acting for a while because of the intensity of the fame. He’s back now, doing cool indie stuff, but it’s a reminder of how high the stakes were.
Meanwhile, Alfie Allen is probably the most underrated actor of the whole group. His transformation from the cocky Theon Greyjoy in season one to... well, everything that happens later... is masterclass level.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you’re revisiting the series or diving into the lore for the first time, here are a few things you should actually do to appreciate the casting more:
- Watch the "10 Years Later" Specials: They reveal how much the child actors actually grew up together. It changes how you see their early scenes.
- Check out the Original Pilot Rumors: Search for the "lost pilot" details. Seeing what the show almost looked like makes you appreciate Michelle Fairley and Emilia Clarke way more.
- Follow the Charities: A lot of the cast used their fame for good. Emilia Clarke’s SameYou and Maisie Williams’ work in the tech/arts space are actually worth supporting.
- Rewatch Season 1 specifically for Mark Addy: Pay attention to his eyes. He’s not just a loud king; he’s a man who knows his kingdom is falling apart.
The series 1 game of thrones cast wasn't just a group of actors. They were the foundation for a cultural shift. Without their specific performances, the show probably would have just been "that weird dragon show on HBO" instead of the era-defining epic it became.