Game Of Thrones
Summary
Game of Thronesis one of the most well - cast TV register ever made , and several of its star role player try out for other characters initially . The HBO serial publication , based on George R.R Martin’sA Song of Ice and Firenovels , had one of the biggest television ensemble casts ever put together , seemingly find the complete performer to bring each role to sprightliness . in particular in the beginning in the series , many actors who auditioned impressed the casting team enough to earn them different characters besides those they ’d auditioned for .
When auditioning for most show , miss out on a leading role is a more meaning disappointment than it would be forGame of Thrones , which excelled at induce well - construct , complex minor characters . In Martin ’s world , almost every graphic symbol is distinctive and memorable , and some of those who missed out on the role they ab initio auditioned for lesion up with every bit , if not more , prominent option . Luckily , the series ended up with the cast it did , though it ’s still fun to opine what certain actors would ’ve looked like as unlike characters .
While Game of Thrones earned its repute for undischarged political machination and character work , it also has some larger-than-life fantasy flying dragon view .
9Iwan Rheon
Auditioned for Jon Snow before playing Ramsay Bolton.
One of the most ironic almost - castings inGame of Thronesis Ramsay Bolton actor Iwan Rheon auditioning for Jon Snow , given that the two would become brutal challenger in season 6 . Rheon was praise for his performance as the savage Ramsay , regarded as one of the good tv set villain ever . He played the slimy character with such excellence that it ’s insufferable to imagine him as the ethical , heroic Jon Snow . talk withInterview mag , Rheon utter about the molding process , saying,“I think they made the correct alternative ; it would ’ve been a very unlike Jon Snow if I ’d trifle him . "
The Game of Thrones series finish bring the tarradiddle full circle , but still will much that needs explain . Here ’s the GoT end broken down in full .
8Alfie Allen
Auditioned for Jon Snow before playing Theon Greyjoy.
Another actor who nearly played Jon Snow was Alfie Allen , who terrifically diddle Theon Greyjoy in all eight seasons ofGame of Thrones . Like Iwan Rheon , Alfie Allen ’s execution as the troubled Stark ward take a crap him hard to imagine as Jon Snow , who resembles the Hellenic phantasy hero archetype more than anyone else in the show . In the time of year 5 Blu - shaft of light commentary , showrunner David Benioff talk about Allen ’s hearing , explaining,“And we thought , well , he ’s great … he ’s not quite Jon Snow . “They sure enough had the ripe instinct , asAlfie Allen ended up perfect for Theon , doing unbelievable work , particularly in seasons 3 and 4 .
There ’s been plenty of clip for Game of Thrones lover to theorize about The Winds of Winter , and these theory could in reality come true .
7Joe Demspie
Auditioned for Jon Snow before playing Gendry.
Joe Dempsie was yet anotheractor who almost act Jon Snow . While not quite good for Jon , the young actor did well enough to earn the role of Robert Baratheon ’s dickhead , Gendry , who played an on - and - off role in the serial publication throughout all eight seasons . Dempsie is prosperous to picture than Alfie Allen or Iwan Rheon as Jon Snow , get to the similarities their eccentric own subsequently in the series . While initially harsh , Gendry render in season 7 to help defend the kingdom against the White Walkers , even being legitimized as a Baratheon . It also ca n’t be minimize how exceptional Kit Harington was as Jon Snow , making it severe to fancy anyone else in the role .
6Carice Van Houten
Auditioned for Cersei Lannister before playing Melisandre.
Carice Van Houten join theGame of Thronescast in season 2 , play the Red Priestess Melisandre . When casting the pilot , Van Houten was offered the Cersei Lannister function but decline due to programming conflicts . Gillian Anderson was also tender the same part . as luck would have it , Lena Headey ended up as Cersei , becoming one of themost hateable female telecasting villains ever . Carice Van Houten also surpass as Melisandre , bring an puzzling , nuanced performance to one of the show ’s most mystical characters .
5Natalie Dormer
Auditioned for Melisandre before playing Margaery Tyrell.
Natalie Dormer is grand inGame of Thronesseasons 2 - 6 as Margaery Tyrell , a fairy to three different kings throughout the serial publication . In James Hibberd ’s bookFire Can not pop A Dragon : Game of Thrones and the Official Untold Story of the Epic Series , Natalie Dormer revealed that she initially auditioned for Melisandre during the cast for season 2 . Dormer praised her conscientious objector - star , saying,“You look back and realize Melisandre could n’t have been anyone else , Carice [ van Houten ] did an amazing job . “Melisandre seems like a function Dormer would ’ve been subject of playacting , but she ’s right in thinking Carice Van Houten was perfect for the job .
4Conan Stevens
Auditioned for Khal Drogo before playing the Mountain.
The Mountain ’s theatrical role was re - cast twice inGame of Thrones , and Conan Stevens was the worker who played him in season 1 . Before earning the part of Ser Gregor Clegane for two episodes , Conan Stevens was to begin with in the track for Khal Drogo . The role finally went to Jason Momoa , and it ’s nearly impossible to conceive of anyone else playing the character . Momoa brought an chroma and physicality to Drogo that few actors could rival , and Conan Stevens , standing at 7 - foot - grandiloquent , was a far well set for the Mountain .
3Liam Cunningham
Auditioned for an unrevealed role before playing Davos Seaworth.
Along with Carice Van Houten , Liam Cunningham bring together the mold ofGame of Thronesfor season 2 , playing one of the most likable character reference in the whole series . He ’s fantastic as Davos Seaworth , convey a chummy quality and a sly sense of humor that Cunningham brings so authentically . Speaking toGQ , the worker revealed that Davos was n’t the first part he auditioned for , having try out for a character in season 1:“They said the honest-to-god affair : ' We ’re rifle to go another manner . But : We ’ve got more characters coming in Season Two , and we want to see you . ‘“HBO stayed true to their password .
2Conleth Hill
Auditioned for Robert Baratheon before playing Varys.
perchance the most lucrative rejection in theGame of Thronescasting process was for Conleth Hill , who pretermit out on the character of King Robert Baratheon to be offer up Varys . Despite not getting the part he initially sought , which would ’ve seen him die after six episodes , Conleth Hill instead discover himself utilise for eight seasons of the series . The function of Robert Baratheon ultimately went to Mark Addy , who was iconic and memorable in his limited time , andConleth Hill transcend as the intrigue Varys . The sheer difference between the two characters pass water it hard to imagine Conleth Hill deliveringRobert Baratheon ’s good quotes .
1Eugene Simon
Auditioned for Joffrey Baratheon before playing Lancel Lannister.
The role of Joffrey Baratheon was famously played by Jack Gleeson inGame of Thrones , becoming arguably the most despised character in boob tube story . Another actor , Eugene Simon , possibly evade an onslaught of oncoming hatred by missing out on the theatrical role , though winding up as Lancel Lannister was n’t much better . Simon is double-dyed for the whimpering Lannister full cousin , as a love interest to Cersei in the early seasons , and as one of the Sparrows in seasons 5 and 6 .
Sources : GQ , Interview Magazine
