Here's what the 'Game of Thrones' cast looked like when they first started acting

Anjelica Oswald
Thursday 31 August 2017 13:39 BST
Comments
"Triassic Attack" and "Game of Thrones."
"Triassic Attack" and "Game of Thrones." (Syfy and HBO)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The "Game of Thrones" cast is now one of the most recognisable in the world.

While some of the stars owe their careers thanks to the hit HBO show, others joined the cast as established actors.

Here's what the cast looked like in their earlier roles.

You might not recognise Mark Addy, who played Robert Baratheon, in one of his earlier roles as Fred Flintstone in "The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas."

"The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas" and "Game of Thrones."
"The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas" and "Game of Thrones." (Universal Pictures and HBO)

Charles Dance may be known for his villainous role as Tywin Lannister, but the actor's first film role was as the villain in the James Bond movie "For Your Eyes Only."

"For Your Eyes Only" and "Game of Thrones."
"For Your Eyes Only" and "Game of Thrones." (United Artists and HBO)

Lena Headey made her film debut in 1992's "Waterland" before she was ever Cersei on "Game of Thrones."

"Waterland" and "Game of Thrones."
"Waterland" and "Game of Thrones." (Focus Lune Features and Helen Sloan/HBO)

We may know him as Tyrion Lannister, but Peter Dinklage's breakout role was in 2003's "The Station Agent."

"The Station Agent" and "Game of Thrones."
"The Station Agent" and "Game of Thrones." (Miramax Films and HBO)

Known for playing Jaime Lannister, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau's first movie was the 1994 Danish film "Nightwatch."

"Nightwatch" and "Game of Thrones."
"Nightwatch" and "Game of Thrones." (Thura Film/All Right Film Distribution and HBO)

Jack Gleeson portrayed the despised Joffrey Baratheon, but one of his earliest roles was playing an adorable little kid in "Batman Begins."

"Batman Begins" and "Game of Thrones."
"Batman Begins" and "Game of Thrones." (Warner Bros. Pictures and HBO)

The 65-year-old Anton Lesser is known as Qyburn on "Game of Thrones," but the actor has been a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company and was in a number of TV movies starting in 1979.

"Twelfth Night, or What You Will" and "Game of Thrones."
"Twelfth Night, or What You Will" and "Game of Thrones." (ITV and HBO)

Julian Glover portrayed the old Grand Maester Pycelle, but the actor (who has been acting since the '60s) was once in a "Star Wars" movie.

"The Empire Strikes Back" and "Game of Thrones."
"The Empire Strikes Back" and "Game of Thrones." (20th Century Fox and HBO)

70-year-old Jonathan Pryce played the High Sparrow on "Game of Thrones." He began his career as a stage actor, but his breakthrough film role was in 1985's "Brazil."

"Brazil" and "Game of Thrones."
"Brazil" and "Game of Thrones." (20th Century Fox and HBO)

Jerome Flynn is hilarious as Bronn, but in the '90s, he was part of a music duo with his costar from "Soldier Soldier."

"Unchained Melody" video and "Game of Thrones."
"Unchained Melody" video and "Game of Thrones." (RobsonandJeromeVEVO/YouTube and HBO)

Diana Rigg is iconic as Lady Olenna Tyrell, but the actress has been in the industry since the '60s, well-known for her role on the spy series "The Avengers," and was even a Bond girl in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service."

"The Avengers" and "Game of Thrones."
"The Avengers" and "Game of Thrones." (ITV and HBO)

Natalie Dormer made her film debut in 2005's "Casanova" before playing Margaery Tyrell.

"Casanova" and "Game of Thrones."
"Casanova" and "Game of Thrones." (Buena Vista Pictures and HBO)

One of Iain Glen's earliest roles before playing Jorah Mormont was in 1988's "Gorillas in the Mist."

"Gorillas in the Mist" and "Game of Thrones.
"Gorillas in the Mist" and "Game of Thrones. (Universal Pictures and HBO)

Emilia Clarke had two TV roles before landing the part of Daenerys Targaryen, one of which was the TV movie "Triassic Attack."

"Triassic Attack" and "Game of Thrones."
"Triassic Attack" and "Game of Thrones." (Syfy and HBO)

Jason Momoa's first role ever was on "Baywatch: Hawaii." Now, he's known for his former role as Khal Drogo.

"Baywatch: Hawaii" and "Game of Thrones"
"Baywatch: Hawaii" and "Game of Thrones" (NBC and HBO)

Conleth Hill may be bald as Varys but the actor sported a headful of brown hair on the '90s British sitcom "Blue Heaven." He does still have a full head of hair — it's just white.

"Blue Heaven" and "Game of Thrones."
"Blue Heaven" and "Game of Thrones." (Channel 4 and HBO)

Nathalie Emmanuel is Missandei, Daenerys' right-hand. Her first on-screen role ever was on "Hollyoaks."

"Hollyoaks" and "Game of Thrones."
"Hollyoaks" and "Game of Thrones." (Channel 4 and HBO)

Jacob Anderson is known for his portrayal of the brilliant warrior Grey Worm, but he's been acting since 2004.

Behind-the-scenes feature for "4.3.2.1." and "Game of Thrones."
Behind-the-scenes feature for "4.3.2.1." and "Game of Thrones." (4321themovie/YouTube and HBO)

Liam Cunningham is fan-favorite Davos Seaworth, but the 56-year-old began acting in the '90s in projects like "A Little Princess."

"A Little Princess" and "Game of Thrones."
"A Little Princess" and "Game of Thrones." (Warner Bros. and HBO)

Stephen Dillane is well-known for his former role as Stannis Baratheon, but he started acting in the '80s.

"Firelight" and "Game of Thrones."
"Firelight" and "Game of Thrones." (Miramax Films and HBO)

Rory McCann plays a foreboding Sandor "the Hound" Clegane, but his first major role was in the comedy "The Book Group."

"The Book Group" and "Game of Thrones."
"The Book Group" and "Game of Thrones." (Channel 4 and Helen Sloan/HBO)

Sean Bean played the beloved Ned Stark, but he has been in the business since the '80s.

"Stormy Monday" and "Game of Thrones."
"Stormy Monday" and "Game of Thrones." (Atlantic Releasing and HBO)

Michelle Fairley played the Stark family matriarch Catelyn Stark, but she began her professional acting career in 1989.

"A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries" and "Game of Thrones."
"A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries" and "Game of Thrones." (October Films and HBO)

Kit Harington had only been in the National Theater (and later West End) production of "War Horse" before being cast as Jon Snow.

"War Horse" and "Game of Thrones."
"War Horse" and "Game of Thrones." (Simon Annand/Twitter/War Horse and HBO)

Max von Sydow, 88, has had a prolific career, dating all the way back to 1949. One of his most recent roles was as the Three-Eyed Raven.

"The Greatest Story Ever Told" and "Game of Thrones."
"The Greatest Story Ever Told" and "Game of Thrones." (United Artists and HBO)

Gwendoline Christie is the powerful Brienne of Tarth, but she only made her film debut three years earlier as a shopper in "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus."

"The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus" and "Game of Thrones."
"The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus" and "Game of Thrones." (Sony Pictures Classics and Helen Sloan/HBO)

Aiden Gillen nailed it as Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish, but the 49-year-old started his career in the '80s. He broke through with his role on the 1999 series "Queer as Folk."

"Queer as Folk" and "Game of Thrones.
"Queer as Folk" and "Game of Thrones. (Channel 4 and HBO)

Alfie Allen plays Theon Greyjoy, but he first made his debut in 1998 with a TV movie comedy "You are Here" and a brief appearance in "Elizabeth."

"Elizabeth" and "Game of Thrones."
"Elizabeth" and "Game of Thrones." (Gramercy Pictures and HBO)

Comedian Gemma Whelan made her film debut in 2010's "The Wolfman" as a maid. Now, she's Yara Greyjoy.

"The Wolfman" and "Game of Thrones."
"The Wolfman" and "Game of Thrones." (Universal Pictures and HBO)

Before she was Melisandre, Carice van Houten was in numerous Dutch films and TV series, including "Suzy Q."

"Suzy Q" and "Game of Thrones."
"Suzy Q" and "Game of Thrones." (Staccato Films and HBO)

Michiel Huisman, who plays Daario Naharis, starred alongside Carice van Houten in "Suzy Q" and later in "Black Book."

"Black Book" and "Game of Thrones."
"Black Book" and "Game of Thrones." (A-Film Distribution and HBO)

Paul Kaye was known for his comedic character Dennis Pennis on "The Sunday Show," but in "Game of Thrones" he played Thoros of Myr.

"The Sunday Show" and "Game of Thrones."
"The Sunday Show" and "Game of Thrones." (BBC Two and Helen Sloan/HBO)

Hannah Murray plays Gilly now, but her first role ever was on "Skins."

"Skins" and "Game of Thrones."
"Skins" and "Game of Thrones." (E4 and HBO)

Joe Dempsie, who recently returned as Gendry to the series, was also on "Skins."

"Skins" and "Game of Thrones."
"Skins" and "Game of Thrones." (E4 and HBO)

Thomas Brodie-Sangster made his feature film debut in "Love Actually" and is known for his former role as Jojen Reed.

"Love Actually" and "Game of Thrones."
"Love Actually" and "Game of Thrones." (Universal Pictures and Helen Sloan/HBO)

Read more:

• Barnier on Brexit talks: no 'decisive progress on any of the principle subjects'
• Explosions at Houston chemical plant after it was flooded by Harvey
• Theresa May insists she will fight the next general election

Read the original article on Business Insider UK. © 2016. Follow Business Insider UK on Twitter.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in