A Storm of Stars: Casting HBO’s “Game of Thrones”
June 1, 2009 by Tim & Lex
Filed under Features, Previews, TV, TV Previews
HBO scored a major coup last month when they landed Peter Dinklage to play the role of Tyrion in their upcoming series “Game of Thrones” based on George R. R. Martin’s “Song of Ice and Fire
House Stark
Eddard Stark - Kyle Secor
Honorable to a fault, noble Ned serves as the head of the Stark household. In both “Homicide
Catelyn Tully Stark - Molly Parker
Though best known for her awesome work as Alma Garrett of “Deadwood
Robb Stark - Tom Sturridge
The eldest Stark son, Robb, possesses characteristics quite unlike his father’s – passion and naivety. Tom Sturridge – AKA one of the guys rumored to have just missed on the Edward Cullen role in “Twilight
Sansa Stark - Rachel Hurd-Wood
Rachel Hurd-Wood caught our eye in “Perfume
Arya Stark - Mia Wasikowska
Wiser than her older sis, Arya’s storyline also covers a lot more ground, literally and emotionally. Mia Wasikowska is the one young actress we’re certain could cover all that territory. She shines in another HBO show, “In Treatment
Jon Snow- Noah Segan
We know Noah Segan from the excellent neo-noir movie “Brick
House Lannister
Tywin Lannister - Michael Hogan
It would bring us great, great joy to watch Michael Hogan play this part. Known primarily as the perpetually cranky Colonel Tigh of “Battlestar Galactica
Tyrion Lannister - Peter Dinklage
Dinklage is in. What a fucking coup!
Jaime Lannister - Jesse Erwin
The Kingslayer proves a casting challenge. He must be physically imposing, capable of terrible things and still charming enough to not be completely hated. We’re rolling the dice on the little known Jesse Erwin.
Cersei Lannister Baratheon - Jaime Ray Newman
Like her twin brother, though perhaps a hair nastier, Cersei needs that touch of charm to at least partially counteract her evil streak. Jaime Ray Newman has that kind of charisma.
House Baratheon
Robert Baratheon - Michael Harney
Robert is both large and in charge. Literally. He’s the king. His appetite for food is matched only by his appetite for drink, which is surpassed, slightly, by his appetite for sweet poontang. Harney nailed the drunk part in “Deadwood.”
Stannis Baratheon - Titus Welliver
Titus Welliver always has the weary look that we imagined Stannis would wear. Bobby B’s older bro is practically the opposite of him – strict, serious, sober.
Renly Baratheon - Adrian Grenier
The youngest of the 3 Baratheons, Renly keeps it real. Real gay! No, seriously, he’s a homosexual. “Entourage
Joffrey Baratheon - Max Pirkis
Max Pirkis played Octavian on “Rome
House Targaryen
Viserys Targaryen - Simon Woods
Simon Woods? Also Octavian on “Rome
Daenerys Targaryen - Kristen Bell
A fan favorite, Daenerys’ journey and transformation may make for one of the toughest acting jobs in the series. Kristen Bell eats roles like this for breakfast.
House Greyjoy
Theon Greyjoy - Tom Felton
Cruel. Obnoxious. Theon Greyjoy kinda blows. Tom Felton could play this part with the glee it needs.
Other Players
Lysa Tully Arryn - Lili Taylor
Lili Taylor can do hysterical and a little nutty. She did it as Lisa in “Six Feet Under
Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish - Glenn Fitzgerald
Somewhat enigmatic, Littlefinger packs a seemingly neverending string of manipulative strategical moves. Is he really good or bad, though? Fitzgerald has that air of mystery.
Khal Drogo - Jason Momoa
Khal Drogo needs someone intimidating but still potentially vulnerable. “Stargate Atlantis
Ilyn Payne - Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson
Holy shit! Just take a look at Ingvar and tell me he doesn’t look like Ilyn Payne.
Gregor "The Mountain That Rides" Clegane - Robert Z'Dar
B-Movie legend Bob Z’Dar, the “Maniac Cop
Sandor "The Hound" Clegane - Clancy Brown
Clancy won our hearts as the ridiculously evil Brother Justin in “Carnivale
Love it? Hate it? Comment about it.
For another take on the cast, check here.
For all other GRRM info check out Westeros or Martin’s official site.
Grumkin on Tue, 2nd Jun 2009 10:10 am
Interesting choices… not sure about Khal Drogo, though. Kinda cheesy looking.
Jill on Wed, 3rd Jun 2009 11:08 am
Nice list. I’m not sure about your pics for the Cleganes. Also Stannis is younger than Robert, I though I would still probably cast an older actor lol
Jill on Wed, 3rd Jun 2009 11:10 am
hmmm, change “I thought” to “Although”, and I might have a sentence…
Anonymous on Wed, 3rd Jun 2009 11:35 am
Stannis is younger than Robert. And your picks for the Cleganes are way too old.
Timothy Kozar & Vera Wolf on Wed, 3rd Jun 2009 11:42 am
Good eye on Stannis being younger than Robert. It must’ve just been his demeanor tricking us, but we both could’ve sworn that part of Stannis’s eventual claim to the throne was that, as the eldest brother, he should’ve been king rather than Robert anyway.
Aoede on Wed, 3rd Jun 2009 1:48 pm
Nah, his claim was that he was next in line, and that he, /rather than Renly/, ought to be king because he was older than Renly.
Eryk on Wed, 3rd Jun 2009 1:51 pm
Nope. Stannis’ only claim to the Throne comes by way of (1) Robert’s death (he being the next eldest Baratheon brother) and (2) Stannis’ (correct) conviction that Joffrey is not Robert’s true-born son, but a bastard son of incest.
Great list, though. LOVED your pick for Cersei. Well, well, well done.
Timothy Kozar & Vera Wolf on Wed, 3rd Jun 2009 1:59 pm
Here’s a Stannis quote from “A Clash of Kings” to verify once and for all that Robert was indeed the oldest Baratheon bro:
“Robert was my elder brother. You are the younger.” – Stannis Baratheon to Renly
redcrystal on Wed, 3rd Jun 2009 10:09 pm
Colm Feore would be a great Stannis!
Vera Wolf on Wed, 3rd Jun 2009 10:14 pm
I have to say, Colm Feore is pretty much exactly how I pictured Stannis in my head.
Jenny on Thu, 4th Jun 2009 3:28 am
Sandor and Gregor are way younger.
Johan on Thu, 4th Jun 2009 9:58 am
Great casting for most of the characters, accept the Cleganes, the are way too old, especially Sandor.
Tywin, Cersei, Littlefinger and Daenerys are just perfect.
robert on Thu, 4th Jun 2009 10:18 pm
Great list but like has been said you are off on your Cleganes. They are younger than your picks. I think Sandor is in his late twenties and Gregor is six years older. Most of the characters are younger than you would think in a modern society. This seems to be a teenage and early 20′s world for the most part. Which is pretty accurate if you dont have modern medicine and bad sanitation. Life spans cant be more than 32-35 or so.
robert on Thu, 4th Jun 2009 10:21 pm
Really like the look of your Lannister twins. Blond and somewhat similar looking.
Bryn Anderson on Fri, 5th Jun 2009 2:13 am
I LOVE the pick Kristen Bell…. I’d just about die and go to heaven if she was picked….!!
lise on Fri, 5th Jun 2009 11:03 am
These are great picks overall!! I’d love to see Michael Hogan as Tywin, both the Octavians from Rome (Simon Wood has those kinda crazy eyes that would be perfect for Viserys), Kristen Bell as Daenerys would be awesome. Happy (physically) with both Lannisters though I’ve heard of neither.
The Adrian Grenier as Renly is the worst pick in my opinion, I just can’t see that, Renly’s supposed to be very handsome and Grenier is, well, rather homely. I don’t really see him in the role either, so just a bad fit.
Lili Taylor, though not chubby like Lysa, would be terrific in the role so I’ll more than forgive that. And otherwise, physically, I think she’s a good choice.
I think it’s funny that I’ve seen Draco Malfoy on quite a few lists now – why is everyone so eager to cast him somewhere?? There are many other young British actors to pull out of the world of Harry Potter – what about Sean Biggerstaff (Oliver Wood) or Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom)? Though I have not yet seen the 4th or 5th Harry Potter films yet, I was never too impressed (putting it nicely…) with Draco Malfoy’s acting. :/
Sherry on Sat, 6th Jun 2009 12:17 am
Katheryn Morris would be a good Cersei, she is attractive, icy, and has played badass girls before.
Lena Headey=Catelyn, and Noah Wyle as Ned.
Colm Feore would play the grumpy, serious Stannis very well, and Dina Meyer would be convincing as Melisandre.
Matthew MacConaughey would be a good one for Jaime.Very handsome.
Edward Norton could portray Littlefinger.
Allison Sweeney would be Lysa. Shirley Manson would be cool as Lysa, too.
Thomas Dekker would be convincing as young King Robb Stark.
This pretend casting is really fun, and theres no room for all the suggestions I could create!
Sherry on Sat, 6th Jun 2009 12:20 am
Oh, as for Dany, Sasha Jackson is perfect! Just google her, she’s beautiful!
redcrystal on Sat, 6th Jun 2009 8:07 am
Daniel Benzali would represent Tywin very well, IMO.
Rudy Youngblood looks what I believe Khal Drogo would be like.
Jonathan Brewer(the big buggling Maya on “Apocalypto”)would be cool as Hodor.
Luke Goss is a professional swordsman, so he might portray Syrio Forel convincingly.
Eric Stoltz as Edmure?
Bruce Spence as the elderly Lord Tully?
Jeremy Irons looks like what I picture Blackfish Tully.
Hilary Swank is attractive&sexy, so she might pull off Shae pretty nicely.
As Viserys I kinda see Rodrigo Sandriogo(the guy who played Xerxes in 300).
Brent Spiner might be a funny Varys, and Andrew Robinson might be Illyrio.
Tobin Bell seems to be right for Master Luwin. And, Maximillian Schell would do conniving Master Pycelle pretty good!
King Robert? Angus MacFadygen would be perfect, IMO!
Lets not forget Dominic West—-a great Bronn, IMO.
I don’t know if Britney Spears can act, but in all seriousness Brit could portray the always tearful Lollys Stokeworth very well.
Chris Meloni fits the description of Jorah Mormont to a “T”.
What about Mary Kate Olsen as the young Lyanna? Or, Summer Glau?
Summer would fit Queen Margaery as well, IMO.
Mad Huntsman on Thu, 11th Jun 2009 10:12 pm
I have been considering this casting for year. In the end, the one role that I am absolutely convinced about is Tywin Lannister. It simply must be Charles Dance.
Kevin on Fri, 12th Jun 2009 2:23 pm
You forgot to cast someone for Varys. He’s a crucial player in King’s Landing politics
Nick H on Sat, 13th Jun 2009 12:04 pm
Honestly, I think Cersei would be best played by Caprica.
I have to say, though, you guys seem to have a habit of picking actors who are quite a bit older than the roles they’d be playing. The *oldest* of the Stark children is only 14 when the series starts. Should we assume the relative ages will be increased for the show?
Grizli on Sat, 13th Jun 2009 6:53 pm
I find most of your picks very good indeed, with three exceptions. Arya stark should be far less girlish and much more bratty than the proposed actress, and i also think both Cleganes could, and should be filled with much different actors. Especially the hound should be somewhat younger (in his late thirties-mid forties) and nastier-looking. I’m thinking someone alike to Hugh Jackman, for example, that sort of person. Gregor, on the other hand, just needs to be really, really big.
Giobebop on Tue, 16th Jun 2009 5:10 pm
He wasn’t mentioned on the list, but Aidan Gillen would be incredible as Little Finger. He played Thomas Carcatti on The Wire, is Irish, and can play that slippery, mysterious character very well.
Anonymous on Sat, 20th Jun 2009 10:52 pm
U got pretty close on most of them, but u were way off on Drogo! The way GRRM describes the Dothraki culture is sort of aa mixture of Native American and Indian, someone that looks a little more along those lines; kinda like an Oded Fehr (although he’s technically israeli) he’d be good!
Laguna on Tue, 23rd Jun 2009 3:37 pm
I curious about how Kristen Bell will do as bald Danny ^^
would be kinda creepy
any release date?
HBO ftw
Anonymous on Sun, 28th Jun 2009 10:08 am
I like most of your cast but Cleganes are really bad choice. Aria should be 10 years old, this will simply not do.
))
And Cal Drogo…Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson… no other
redcrystal on Wed, 15th Jul 2009 10:04 pm
There is a rumor that Gillian Anderson got the role of Catelyn. Its just considered a rumor, though. But, she would be very good, I think. She is my second choice after Lena Headey.
Oh, as for The Rock playing Khal Drogo, STOP dreaming.
Sherry on Sat, 8th Aug 2009 11:49 pm
Jennifer Ehle got the part of Catelyn. Very pretty lady. Has won 2 tony awards. She is definitely a thumbs up for this series!
wobblingchin on Mon, 10th May 2010 12:40 am
isn’t Glenn Fitzgerald is waaay too attractive to be littlefinger? no objections, though. I love to see hot looking Petyr:-)Rachel Hurd-Wood as Sansa is an perfect match!
random visitor on Thu, 19th May 2011 11:52 pm
Good call on Khal Drogo.
Anonymous on Tue, 5th Jul 2011 8:28 pm
Wow, were you out to lunch on most of these choices. It looks like appearance was the main factor for you rather than the little-known detail known as “acting ability”. You’re a moron, sir.
JAY STONE on Sun, 11th Sep 2011 6:34 am
YOU COULDN’T HAVE GOT IT MORE WRONG 2 MANY YANKS IN YOUR CAST!
GRAHAM on Sun, 11th Sep 2011 6:38 am
Damn that was Way out! Were you high! crap choice
Devin on Wed, 15th Feb 2012 11:44 pm
You got drogo right but the rest were truly shit especially kristin bell
Kristin on Mon, 16th Apr 2012 2:18 am
Thats funny, I loved clancy brown on carnival, and jason momoa was perfect, but you obviously forgot how old half of these characters are supposed to be. The rest of your picks were pretty terrible.
luke on Fri, 27th Apr 2012 12:44 pm
Yeah, a truly terrible list. I’m not just saying that in hindsight, now that the show is airing. I would have said it was terrible bhack in 2009.
Adrian Grenier… are you serious??!?