Four years might have passed since Game of Thrones ended in season 8, but passion for the fantasy series certainly hasn’t waned.
Since the HBO fantasy drama drew to a controversial close, fans have kept a close eye on their favourite actors in the cast, witnessing in awe as they’ve transformed in new roles and in the real world.
Sophie Turner – who starred as Sansa Stark – has undergone a huge transformation to star in an upcoming ITV drama about a real-life notorious criminal.
Meanwhile Jack Gleeson – who played the dreaded Joffrey Baratheon – looked almost unrecognisable when viewers were granted a first look at his new part in an exciting BBC TV reboot.
We’ve explored some of the biggest transformations among the Game of Thrones cast, including the likes of fan-favourites Maisie Williams and Gwendoline Christie.
Sophie Turner – Sansa Stark
In Game of Thrones, Sophie grew up before our very eyes, first appearing as a you and naive Sansa Stark in the first season when she was in her mid-teens.
Throughout the show, Sansa went through traumatic ordeals, was separated from her family, reunited with her surviving siblings, and eventually became the much-deserved Queen in the North.
While the eldest Stark daughter went through transformations both in terms of her appearance and her character on Game of Thrones – wearing different outfits to symbolise her growing confidence as the years passed – Sophie’s latest role has seen her look even more drastically different.
In the upcoming ITV drama Joan, the 27-year-old is set to star as Joan Hannington, donning the real-life jewel thief’s short blonde bob as she reveals how Joan the titular character rose in the ranks as a criminal mastermind.
Jack Gleeson – Joffrey Baratheon
Jack’s performance as Joffrey Baratheon in Game of Thrones was so good that fans could barely stand the sight of him when he was on screen, and rejoiced when the King was poisoned to death at his own wedding.
The actor – couldn’t appear more different to Joffrey in real life if he tried –suggested several years ago that he was retiring from the acting profession.
Nonetheless, it was recently revealed that he has a new role in store, taking on the part of the menacing Wentworth in the upcoming reboot of the BBC’s The Famous Five.
We had to do a double take when we saw the 31-year-old with his spiky brown hair and matching moustache, glaring down the camera with a spine-chilling glare.
Maisie Williams – Arya Stark
There was no doubt that Maisie’s Arya Stark was a fan-favourite character from the start of Game of Thrones, defying society’s expectations to become a prim and proper lady from a young age.
After the death of her father Ned Stark (Sean Bean) in season one, Arya had to fend for herself, disguising herself as a boy before eventually training as an assassin in Braavos, ahead of her eventual return to her home, Winterfell.
In the real world, Maisie, 26, has demonstrated a great eye for fashion over the years, frequently leaving our jaws on the floor with her bold and beautiful red carpet looks.
One of our favourites was at the 2021 Met Gala – the theme for which was In America: A Lexicon of Fashion – where she wore a gothic ensemble that she designed herself with her boyfriend, completing the look with bleached eyebrows and an extravagant hairpiece.
Lino Facioli – Robin Arryn
When Game of Thrones fans think of Robin Arryn, the first image that comes to mind is usually him being breastfed by his mother Lysa Arryn (Kate Dickie), despite being several years older than the average breastfeeding age.
The actor even refers to this legacy on his Instagram profile, writing on his bio: ‘Formerly known as milkboy.’
In recent years, fans of Sex Education might have spotted the 23-year-old popping up on the Netflix show, having made his debut as Dex Thompson in 2020.
While Lino is clearly a talented actor, Robin Arryn in 21st century clothing after our first introduction to him simply feels odd, we can’t lie.
Kristofer Hivju – Tormund Giantsbane
After first being introduced to Tormund Giantsbane in Game of Thrones, fans of the fantasy series quickly warmed to the fierce Wildling, who became a close ally of Jon Snow (Kit Harington).
As well as his brilliant fighting skills and his mischievous humour, one of the signature aspects of Tormund was undoubtedly his big auburn beard.
So seeing the actor Kristofer Hivju without his impressive facial hair, when he posted a shaved selfie on Instagram in September 2020, was unnerving to say the least.
Nonetheless, the 44-year-old’s facial hair has since grown back to its glorious former length (although it of course goes without saying, however Kristofer wants to style his facial hair is his choice!).
Gwendoline Christie – Brienne of Tarth
In the environment of Game of Thrones where women were expected to abide by societal roles – put simply, to do men’s bidding, to marry when ordered to do so and to give birth to as many children as their husbands wanted – Brienne of Tarth stood her ground.
Destined to become a warrior, Brienne initially served Renly Baratheon (Gethin Anthony) before serving Lady Catelyn Stark (Michelle Fairley) and subsequently forging a strong bond with Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), who knighted her in the final season.
Gwendoline Christie has gone on to appear in the Hunger Games franchise, in Star Wars, and more recently as Principal Larissa Weems in Wednesday, the Netflix spin-off from The Addams Family.
Principal Weems couldn’t be more differen to Brienne, with her coiffed hair, her sometimes manipulative actions and her propensity to keep secrets.
Viserys Targaryen – Harry Lloyd
Viserys Targaryen might not have been in Game of Thrones for long – perishing in the sixth episode of the first season – but he certainly carried a legacy for being one of the show’s most dislikeable characters.
At the beginning of the series, he married off his sister Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) to Khal Drogo (Jason Momoa) in return his desire to ascend the Iron Throne… but his evil actions result the Khal killing him by melting a pot of gold over his head in an extremely gruesome death.
The actor who plays Viserys, Harry Lloyd, looks extremely different to the Targaryen in real life, with his natural brunette hair.
However, in the 2022 movie The Lost King, the 39-year-old seemed to have a full circle moment when he donned a crown once again as King Richard III… although this particular headpiece remained in its original unmelted state.
Game of Thrones is available to watch on Sky and NOW.
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