Actors Who Actually Turned Down the Chance to Star in Game of Thrones

HBO’s Game of Thrones is undeniably the biggest show in the world today that any actor or actress would definitely jump at the chance to be part of its cast. In fact, we bet lots of actors would do anything to be a part of the medieval juggernaut that it has become. But did you know that there are actually actors and actresses who turned down roles in the show?

It may be hard to believe, but some of the actors who were initially cast had to give way to other projects when the show had its initial problems. According to showrunners David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, the show’s pilot was a massive problem and 90% had to be redone.

One actor’s loss is another actor’s gain.

When reshoots were scheduled, some of the actors had to bow out due to conflicts with other projects. As the show progressed, other actors had to turn down roles due to different factors such as pay scale and parenting obligations.

Here are the actors and actresses who gave up the golden opportunity to be in Game of Thrones:

1 ) Tamzin Merchant

Any actress would want to be cast as Daenerys Targaryen and Tudors star Tamzin Merchant was actually signed on to portray the Mother of Dragons. She was actually part of the show’s pilot, but when reshoots have to be made, Merchant opted not to be part of it, perhaps thinking that the show will never be successful.

2 ) Jennifer Ehle

Michelle Farley did a spectacular job as Catelyn Stark, but the role was initially offered to Jennifer Ehle. Just like Tamzin Merchant, Ehle walked away from the show during its early problems. It’s a good thing that she went on to appear in films such as The King’s Speech and Zero Dark Thirty, so her refusal hadn’t been a total waste.

3 ) Brian Cox

Scottish actor Brian Cox would have been right at home in the Seven Kingdoms but amazingly, he turned the offer because he thought the pay was too little.

“Stupidly, I turned it down in the early days because they didn’t pay enough money. Now they have more money. And I was silly. I was silly, it was silly, because I’m a complete addict now,” he said to an interview with Vodzilla.

He clearly regretted the decision, especially when he saw a number of his old friends starring in the show. He added that he hasn’t closed the door on it for good.

“I don’t know what I could play. Maybe I could do—I mean, I just watched my friend Ian McShane, and I thought, ‘Ooh, Ian’s in it’, so I settled down to watch him. And I thought, ‘Ian did that?’ and immediately I thought, ‘God, they must have paid him well, because I know Ian!’ I’m still waiting for the call for Game of Thrones and if they’ve got more decent money, I’ll be there!”

4 ) Dominic West

No one really knew for sure what role Dominic West was offered in the show, but many suspect that it was of Mance Rayder, The King Beyond the Wall. Although he said that it was “a lovely part,” he had to turn it down due to family obligations.

“I was offered something on Game of Thrones and unfortunately, I hadn’t seen it, but my nephew and his father said, ‘Gosh, Game of Thrones is the only great show on!’ And I felt terrible, because I’d just turned them down… It was a lovely part, a good part. I’m going to regret it… My problem is, I’ve got four kids, and at the moment, I’m reluctant to be away from home for a long time. I can get a lot of work in London and still be at home,” West said on an interview with Huffington.

5 ) Gillian Anderson

The X-Files star didn’t disclose the role she has been offered, but people think it was of Melisandre, the Red Witch. Parental obligation is also the reason for turning down the golden opportunity.

“Whether it’s Game Of Thrones or Downton Abbey, my 18-year-old cannot believe I’ve turned down things she loves. But with a four and six-year-old, I can’t justify spending that kind of time away from home, unless I’m working with [Martin] Scorsese,” she told Stylist Magazine.