Game of Thrones changed television with its epic story and unforgettable characters. The show, which aired from 2011 to 2019, became a global hit. But what happened off-screen is just as interesting as the drama in Westeros. Here are 11 behind-the-scenes facts about the making of this iconic series.
The Original Pilot Had Different Actors
Before the show became a success, HBO filmed a pilot episode with different actors. Tamzin Merchant was first cast as Daenerys Targaryen, and Jennifer Ehle played Catelyn Stark. After test audiences didn’t like the pilot, the producers decided to reshoot it. Emilia Clarke and Michelle Fairley took over the roles, and the rest is history. Some actors, like Iwan Rheon, were considered for other parts before joining the show in different roles .
Famous Actors Who Almost Joined the Show
Many well-known actors were almost part of Game of Thrones. Gillian Anderson from The X-Files and Dominic West from The Wire were both offered roles but turned them down. Sam Claflin, who played Finnick in The Hunger Games, auditioned for Jon Snow and Viserys Targaryen but wasn’t chosen. He later worked with Emilia Clarke in the movie Me Before You .
Real Animals Were Used in Some Scenes
In one memorable scene, Charles Dance as Tywin Lannister skins a deer. That was a real deer used in the scene. Dance did the task himself, which made the moment feel authentic and powerful .
On-Set Relationships Caused Tension
Jerome Flynn (Bronn) and Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister) dated in the early 2000s before the show. Their past relationship made filming challenging because their characters often interacted. To avoid issues, the producers sometimes limited their scenes together. In one season 7 episode, Bronn leaves a meeting early to reduce screen time between them .
Emilia Clarke’s Sticky Situation
One of the most talked-about scenes in season one involves Daenerys eating a horse heart. The prop was made from a large gummy candy covered in corn syrup. It was so sticky that Emilia Clarke got stuck to a toilet seat after filming. She needed help from a crew member to get free .
Actors Were Older Than Their Characters
Many characters in the books are teenagers, but the actors were often much older. For example, Thomas Brodie-Sangster was 23 when he played Jojen Reed, even though the character is only 13 in the novels. This was common throughout the show to make filming easier .
The Show Helped Save a Rare Pig Breed
Game of Thrones used Iron Age pigs for their historical look. These pigs were provided by a farm in Northern Ireland. The show’s demand for these animals helped raise awareness and support for this rare breed, ensuring their survival .
Strict Rules for Filming in Nature
The production team had a “leave no trace” policy when filming outdoors. They had to leave the land exactly as they found it. In one case, they spent weeks putting fake snow in a forest, only for real snow to fall later. The crew also continued filming in rain because they could digitally remove rain but not add it .
Extras Had to Learn How to “Die”
Extras were given a boot camp to prepare for battle scenes. If they wanted to be invited back, they were told to “die” face down during fights. Shorter extras were often placed next to main actors to make the heroes look taller and more impressive .
Some Scenes Were Deleted but Shouldn’t Have Been
Some important scenes were cut from the show. One involved Tywin Lannister and Grand Maester Pycelle fishing. In the scene, Tywin calls out Pycelle for pretending to be frail. Another deleted scene showed Northerners distrusting Daenerys when she visited Winterfell. Fans felt these cuts took away from the story .
The Cast Moved On to Big Projects
After the show ended, the actors continued to succeed. Kit Harington is working on a Jon Snow spin-off series and joined the Marvel Universe. Emilia Clarke also appeared in Marvel projects and other films. Sophie Turner and Maisie Williams took on new roles in TV and film. Peter Dinklage starred in movies like The Hunger Games prequel and Wicked .
Also Read: Sophie Turner Says Playing Lovers With Game of Thrones Co-Star Kit Harington Feels Really Weird
