Actors Who Refused Game Of Thrones Roles

Plenty of big names came close to stepping into Westeros only to pass when the offer arrived. Some walked away from early casting talks while others exited after the infamously troubled original pilot, and a few said no because the time commitment and far flung locations were not a fit.

Here are the most documented cases of actors who declined roles or chose not to continue after being cast. Each entry lays out what was offered, why it did not happen, and where the part ultimately went or what changed later.

Brian Cox as Robert Baratheon

Brian Cox turned down the crown when approached about playing Robert Baratheon. He has said the pay was not attractive at that early stage and that the character’s brief run on the show did not make the commitment worthwhile.

Mark Addy ultimately portrayed Robert in the first season, appearing in King’s Landing scenes that established the conflict between the Baratheon court and the Lannisters.

Gillian Anderson in an undisclosed role

Gillian Anderson declined an offer to appear on ‘Game of Thrones’. She explained that lengthy overseas shoots did not fit with family life at the time.

The production filmed for months across Northern Ireland, Croatia, Iceland, Spain, and Morocco, and the travel and schedule were a major factor in her decision.

Dominic West connected to the Wall

Dominic West said no to a significant part tied to the Wall after learning it would keep him in Iceland for about half the year. He chose to stay closer to home to spend time with his children.

The role he described fit the northern storyline that later featured Mance Rayder and the Free Folk, with Ciarán Hinds joining the ensemble in that space.

Charlie Hunnam for a planned cameo

Charlie Hunnam was invited for a cameo on ‘Game of Thrones’ but could not make the timing work. He was locked into filming and publicity commitments for ‘King Arthur Legend of the Sword’.

Because of that conflict the cameo never happened and the show moved ahead without finding a different moment for him to appear.

Ray Stevenson in an unspecified part

Ray Stevenson shared that he passed on joining ‘Game of Thrones’. He preferred projects where he could help shape the series from the beginning and already had other work lined up.

With his schedule full he stepped aside, and the show continued to fill roles from a broad pool of stage and screen actors from across the UK and beyond.

Lily Allen as Yara Greyjoy

Lily Allen said she was asked to play Yara Greyjoy opposite her brother Alfie Allen and declined after learning how the introduction would be staged. She opted not to take the part.

Gemma Whelan went on to play Yara across multiple seasons. Alfie Allen later said he did not believe an offer was made, so this remains a disputed casting story.

Jennifer Ehle as Catelyn Stark

Jennifer Ehle filmed the original pilot as Catelyn Stark and then chose not to continue on the series. She cited family reasons and the long term commitment involved in relocating for production.

The role was recast with Michelle Fairley before the reshoot, and Fairley played Catelyn through the Stark family’s early arc.

Jamie Campbell Bower as Waymar Royce

Jamie Campbell Bower was cast as Waymar Royce in the first pilot. When the show scheduled a large reshoot he was no longer available and the part was recast.

Rob Ostlere appears as Royce in the aired premiere, opening the series beyond the Wall with the encounter that sets the tone for the threat from the north.

Perdita Weeks as Roslin Frey

Perdita Weeks was set to portray Roslin Frey but left to take a lead in another period project. When that production fell through she could not return because the role had already been filled.

Alexandra Dowling ultimately played Roslin in the Riverlands storyline around the Frey family and the pivotal events at the Twins.

Ian McNeice as Illyrio Mopatis

Ian McNeice played Illyrio Mopatis in the unaired pilot. Scheduling issues prevented him from returning when the extensive reshoots were ordered, so the creative team recast the part.

Roger Allam took over as Illyrio in the broadcast version, appearing in the Essos storyline that sets Daenerys on her path.

Jonathan Pryce in an early approach

Jonathan Pryce was contacted about appearing during the show’s early run and initially declined. He later returned to the conversation when a different role aligned with what he wanted to do.

He joined the ensemble as the High Sparrow in a later season, bringing that character into the King’s Landing power struggle.

Pierce Brosnan in an unspecified role

Pierce Brosnan said he turned down an offer to join ‘Game of Thrones’, explaining that the level of on screen brutality did not appeal to him. He chose not to move forward with talks.

No character was publicly identified for his potential appearance, and he did not return for later discussions as the series grew.

Tamzin Merchant as Daenerys Targaryen

Tamzin Merchant played Daenerys Targaryen in the original pilot before exiting the project. The role was reworked during the reshoot and recast.

Emilia Clarke stepped into the part for the broadcast series and continued as Daenerys through the Essos and Westeros arcs.

Share the almost casting that surprises you the most in the comments.