Summary
- Daario Naharis, played by Ed Skrein, was recast with Michiel Huisman in Game of Thrones season 4, resulting in a noticeable change in the character's portrayal.
- The Three-Eyed Raven was originally played by Struan Rodger in season 4 but was recast with Max von Sydow in season 6 for a more significant presence.
- The Night King, played by Richard Brake in season 4 and Vladimir Furdik in later seasons, underwent a change in appearance when he returned in season 6.
With an expansive cast of countless characters over the course of an epic eight-season run, Game of Thrones recast several notable characters. The world-building of George R.R. Martin's fantasy world relied heavily on the talented cast of actors to bring these characters to life. However, while there were many actors who came and went on the show due to the bloody nature of Game of Thrones, there were also a number of actors who were recast in their roles for one reason or another.
Because of Game of Thrones' estimated eight-year timeline, there were several characters who were introduced in minor roles and even non-speaking parts only for the character to become more important to the story later on. In other cases, as with just about any show, actors would sign onto the series only to move on to other projects. If those characters still had a role to play in the series, a recast was required. For such a big series, there were a significant number of Game of Thrones cast changes that fans may have forgotten about.
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1 Daario Naharis
Ed Skrein Was Replaced With Michiel Huisman
Most of the Game of Thrones recasts were somewhat unnoticeable because of the gaps between their characters’ focus, but Daario Naharis’s change in actors didn’t fool anybody. First appearing at the end of Game of Thrones season 3 as the lieutenant of the Second Sons, Daario was portrayed by Deadpool actor Ed Skrein. However, after appearing in the final three episodes of season 3 as Daenerys Targaryen’s new ally, Daario Naharis was recast.
Game of Thrones season 4 jarringly picks up the storyline with The Haunting of Hill House actor Michiel Huisman recast as Daario Naharis. For those who binged the series, the change was clear, especially since Huisman plays the romantic interest role very differently from Skrein. Many suspected Skrein didn’t return because of filming conflicts with The Transporter Refueled, but the actor debunked this in 2015 when ambiguously telling EW that “politics” kept him from returning.
2 The Three-Eyed Raven
Struan Rodger Was Replaced With Max Von Sydow
First appearing in a storyline that would affect the trajectory of Bran Stark’s character, the human Three-Eyed Raven debuted in Game of Thrones season 4 as portrayed by Chariots of Fire actor Struan Rodger. After being absent throughout season 5, the Three-Eyed Raven was recast with legendary actor Max von Sydow in the role for season 6 as he returned to assist in Bran’s journey.
The reason for the Three-Eyed Raven’s recasting was never officially revealed by Game of Thrones' team, but it’s likely that the series wanted a more notable and reliable actor in the role as the character took on a more significant presence, prompting the Game of Thrones actor change. Similar to the Daario Nahaaris recasting, the Three-Eyed-Raven’s overall appearance and personality shifted with the new actor as well.
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3 The Night King
Richard Brake Was Replaced With Vladimir Furdik
One of the Game of Thrones recasts that was more difficult to detect under all the prosthetics and CGI was the villainous Night King, who served as the underlying threat to the characters throughout Game of Thrones. First introduced in season 4, the Night King was played by Richard Brake until his final appearance in season 5. When the character was reintroduced in Game of Thrones season 6, he appeared human as one of the First Men who was killed by the Children of the Forest.
For this appearance, the Night King was recast with actor Vladimir Furdik, who then portrayed the villain in his White Walker form until being killed by Arya in the Battle of Winterfell. The reason for the Night King’s recast isn’t completely straightforward as many theorize Richard Brake left due to scheduling conflicts with The Bastard Executioner, though there's no clear confirmation. Nonetheless, Furdik was already one of Game of Thrones’ key stuntmen and ironically portrayed the first White Walker that Jon Snow killed, so the executives asked him to take over as the Night King for season 6.
4 The Mountain
Conan Stevens Was Replaced By Ian Whyte Who Was Replaced With Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson
Finding the right actor to play the most feared fighter in Westeros was clearly a difficult task as The Mountain was recast twice. The Mountain, whose real name is Gregor Clegane, was first introduced in Game of Thrones’ first season as a violent fighter and the older brother of The Hound. He was first portrayed by Conan Stevens, before exiting due to scheduling conflicts with The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.
The next Game of Thrones actor change saw actor Ian Whyte for three episodes in Game of Thrones season 2, but the actor had difficulty removing his emotions from the character’s gruesome brutality, so he was cast as wight and wildling giants like Wun Wun after season 2.
Since The Mountain’s face is typically behind a helmet, the actor most remembered for playing him is Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, who was the one crushing Oberyn Martell’s skull in the climactic trial by combat. The Icelandic strongman took over the role in season 4 and remained The Mountain’s actor until the character died in the highly-anticipated Cleganebowl fight in Game of Thrones’ penultimate episode.
5 Beric Dondarrion
David Michael Scott Was Replaced With Richard Dormer
The Lord of Blackhaven, Beric Dondarrion was introduced to Game of Thrones in the season 1 episode “A Golden Crown,” where he was played by David Michael Scott. Tasked by Ned Stark to hunt down and execute The Mountain, Beric Dondarrion wasn’t seen again until season 3 when he was played by a different actor.
Scott was credited as a “featured extra” for his season 1 episode as Dondarrion, which suggests the casting department was waiting to find the right actor for the role. Reappearing in his notable eye patch and armor in season 3, Beric Dondarian was then played by Richard Dormer for the remainder of the series until he sacrificed himself for Arya in the Battle of Winterfell.
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6 Leaf
Octavia Alexandru Was Replaced With Kae Alexander
Even though the character was only featured in a total of five episodes throughout Game of Thrones, Leaf was still recast. Leaf was introduced alongside the Three-Eyed Raven in Game of Thrones’ season 4 finale as a Child of the Forest who helps save Bran. For the season 4 episode, Leaf was played by actress Octavia Alexandru, who was 12 years old when the episode premiered.
After being absent during season 5, Leaf returned to assist Bran during season 6 as portrayed by Kae Alexander, who went on to star in the cast of The Wheel of Time series. Since Leaf took on a much more significant and intense role in season 6, it makes sense why Game of Thrones recast the character with a more mature and established actress.
7 Rickard Karstark
Steve Blount Was Replaced With John Stahl
When Rickard Karstark was first introduced in season 1, the character had a fairly minor role compared to what was to come when Robb Stark assumed leadership as King of the North. In the Game of Thrones season 1 finale when Rickard Karstark is the second to name Robb king, with actor Steve Blount playing the role.
When the character returned for season 2, Richard Karstark was played by actor John Stahl, who maintained the role until his final on-screen appearance in season 3. Since Karstark’s character would be expanded and serve as a core supporter and critic of Robb Stark, Game of Thrones likely wanted a more established and versatile actor in the role that contributed to Robb Stark's downfall.
8 Lothar Frey
Tom Brooke Was Replaced With Daniel Tuite
While Lord Walder Frey had too many children to remember, the one son who had a semi-present role in Game of Thrones was Lothar Frey. The character was introduced in season 3, where he played an integral role in planning the shockingly brutal Red Wedding, which would end in the murders of Robb, Catelyn, and Talissa Stark. In his two-episode arc in season 3, Lothar was portrayed by Tom Brooke.
After being absent for seasons 4 and 5, the Freys reappeared in Game of Thrones season 6 to fight alongside Jaime and make the Blackfish surrender. During these episodes, Lothar is portrayed by Daniel Tuite. It’s unclear why Lothar was recast, but the two-season hiatus of the character likely meant Brooke was unavailable. Lothar’s final appearance was in season 6 unless counting the pie he was baked into for season 7 when Arya killed all the Frey men and left House Frey nearly extinct.