The world has been obsessed with Game of Thrones ever since its release back in 2011. Today, the show’s fame remains at its peak, and so do its principal actors. They may need body doubles to fill in for a few scenes but the cast of the great TV show are still dedicated to their roles – so much to point where they look totally different in reality. Not only do they have different outfits but their hairstyles are also poles apart from their television characters.
Check out these photos of the Game of Thrones cast in real life…
Jon Snow – Kit Harington
One thing that doesn’t change about Jon Snow in real life is his beautiful hair – although it’s slightly shorter. Kit Harington has hair just as lustrous as his character in the series, and we can’t complain. Not only that, but the 31 year-old British actor has a keen sense of fashion. Outside GoT, Harington had many roles in big and small productions alike, such as the period drama, Testament of Youth, the big blockbuster, Pompeii or the smaller BBC TV production, Gunpowder. Fun fact about the cast? Kit is married to his ex-co-star, Rosie Leslie – AKA, Ygritte!
Arya Stark – Maisie Williams
Not only is Maisie Williams as badass as her character for notoriously having taken a stand for feminism and many other important causes, the 20 year-old British actress has also built quite the CV next to GoT. The is famously best friends with her co-star, Sophie Turner and just like the latter, she has a much more developed fashion flair when she’s not wearing her infamous Game of Thrones outfit.
Daenerys Targaryen – Emilia Clarke
Emilia Clarke fortunately has far more facial expressions and smiles to give than Daenerys does on the show. The actress is always all-smiles and usually wears her hair brown outside the GoT set. The one and only Khaleesi in real life is just as royal looking and thanks to that, she’s had many Hollywood roles to date (Terminator Genysis, Me Before You, Solo). She’s certainly expected to have many more!
Bran Stark – Isaac Hempstead Wright
Just like Sophie and Maisie, we literally watched Isaac Hempstead Wright grow up through the various seasons, and now he has grown into quite the handsome and jolly young man who couldn’t be further from the unlucky and now-laconic Bran. Little known fact – in 2014, Hempstead Wright voiced the character of Aidan in the famous cartoon, Family Guy.
Sansa Stark – Sophie Turner
Sophie Turner grew up right before our eyes and she easily became one of the most talented and beautiful young actresses working today. With her model looks and impeccable style, she shines on every red carpet. She’s recently become the new face for X-Men character, Jean Grey and we expect even more from her in the future! Guess what? She’s married to Joe Jonas!
Cersei Lannister- Lena Headey
Lena Headey is incredibly different from her character on the show, not only in personality, but also in looks. Away from the cameras of GoT, Headey usually wears her hair brown and smiles a lot more! She was already an established actress before Cersei, and had many other acting roles thereafter, but the role definitely made her one of the most prominent TV queens so far.
Did you know Cersei is based on a real-life historical figure? Learn more about Game of Thrones’ real history…
Jaime Lannister – Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
The actor who plays our favorite Kingslayer is just as distinguished and handsome in true life, but even better, and a fact that only few might know, he is Danish and had already quite the European acting credits before landing the role of Jaime Lannister.
Tyrion Lannister – Peter Dinklage
He plays one of the wisest and bravest characters on TV, known for his great quotes – Peter Dinklage was no stranger to our screens before becoming Tyrion Lannister, although he definitely became even more beloved after the role. The actor has had countless movie and TV roles, notably in the first Chronicles of Narnia film. In real life, Dinklage is just as fashionable, though he has darker hair and usually wears a stubble rather than a full beard. He’s one of the very few American actors on the show.
Brienne of Tarth – Gwendoline Christie
One more GoT actor who is truly miles away from their character in reality is Brienne of Tarth actress, Gwendoline Christie. Despite playing the sullen, righteous knight, Brienne on the show, Gwendoline Christie is actually a model, and a very glamorous woman in her day-to-day life, who is in no way ashamed of her impressive height. In fact, she’s made it an asset!
Sandor Clegane – Rory McCann
Like Mark Addy, Rory McCann looks far more dandyish without period costume and without his trademark greasy, untamed hair. In real life, The Hound is quite the handsome Scottish lad, with buzz-cut and the occasional beard.
Khal Drogo – Jason Momoa
It was already obvious from the show that Jason Momoa was not the least athletic and gorgeous actors of the cast, but in reality, his impressive physicality is made even better by a much kinder demeanor, fantastic hair and a lovely sense of fashion. Cool trivia? Momoa is of Native Hawaiian descent from his father and German, Irish, and Native American from his mother.
Theon Greyjoy – Alfie Allen
Alfie Allen, who unbeknownst to most, is singer Lily Allen’s younger brother, evidently looks far less traumatized in real life than he is in the show. Allen is originally from London and comes from a family of artists. His father is a producer and his mother, an actress. We’re glad Alfie found his call in acting – he’s fantastic at it!
Tormund Giantsbane – Kristofer Hivju
A far cry from the wild Tormund, actor Kristofer Hivju is a Norwegian actor graduated from the Russian Academy of Theatre Arts.
Hodor – Kristian Nairn
Kristian Nairn is much less laconic than his character of Hodor, the sweet giant we all loved throughout the show, and not only is Kristian an actor, he is also a DJ!
Melisandre – Carice van Houten
Far from the creepy, ominous Melisandre, Carice van Houten is just as beautiful. However, she doesn’t have red hair, the actress dons a brunette look. And despite an accent that could pass as British in the show, Carice is actually Dutch and has a long string of Dutch films behind her.
Viserys Targaryen – Harry Lloyd
Viserys Targaryen might have left the series early on in season one, but his character has nonetheless marked every viewer. Harry Lloyd is far more likable in real life, and wears short brown hair that couldn’t make him more dissimilar to the ill-fated blonde prince. Mind-blowing trivia – Lloyd happens to be Charles Dickens’s great-great -great grandson.
Samwell Tarly – John Bradley-West
Samwell Tarly is a fan-favorite. He’s one of the most kind-hearted and genuine characters on a show mostly watched for the very opposite of that. Outside of the series, the talented British actor John Bradley-West is nowhere near as clumsy or shy as Sam and in fact graduated from Manchester School of Theaters. He has had many roles in other TV shows such as Merlin, Borgia and the British version of Shameless.
Varys – Conleth Hill
Conleth Hill is miles away from his ominous character in Game of Thrones. We can barely recognize him without his trademark robe and plotting gaze. The 53 year-old Northern Irish actor has had countless TV credits, but he is also notorious and praised for his stage roles, one of which earned him a Laurence Olivier Award and a Tony Award.
After all, acting is all about being someone who is usually fundamentally different from yourself, and for some actors of Game of Thrones, the gap could not be more satisfyingly huge. Who do you think looks the most different in real life? Let us know in the comments below.
