Ten years ago, the epic fantasy world of Westeros came to life when George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones premiered on HBO. The series ended in 2019 after airing 73 episodes in eight seasons.
The story revolves around nine noble families that battle for power to control the Iron Throne. The war over the Seven Kingdoms played out amidst corruption, rebellion, and betrayal. Other essential elements used throughout the series included nobility, honor, and sexual desire.
Despite more than 550 cast members appearing on the long-running TV series, none appeared in every episode. Here are the top 10 actors who appeared most frequently in Game of Thrones.
One of the most conflicted characters in Game of Thrones was Alfie Allen, who appeared as Theon Greyjoy. His character switched loyalties and betrayed his family, dying in season 8 as he protected Bran Stark from the Night King.
John Bradley first appeared in season 1, playing the role of Samwell Tarly. The following season, he became a member of the Night’s Watch and an integral part of the story as Jon Snow’s friend and confidant.
Playing the role of disgraced knight Jorah Mormont, the Scottish-born actor’s character eventually becomes the loyal right hand of Daenerys Targaryen as she strives to win over the Iron Throne.
As IMDb reports, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series in 2018 for his portrayal of Jaime Lannister. Known as the “Kingslayer,” his character was loyal to Cersei, his sister and lover.
Maisie Williams appeared in Game of Thrones as tomboy Arya Stark. The character’s endless adventures helped her to escape from King’s Landing and the House Lannister. Eventually, reuniting with her family in Winterfell, she played a significant role in defeating the Night King in the final season.
As A Forum of Ice and Fire reports, Sophie Turner was a recurring character whose story arc carried throughout all eight seasons of the series. Playing the role of Sansa Stark, she appeared in 59 episodes as the daughter of Ned and Catelyn Stark. One brutal experience after the other led her to Winterfell, where she reigned as Queen of the North.
Both the Queen and Queen Mother, Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister was considered one of the show’s biggest villains. As she watched her children die, she sought revenge, becoming enemies with Targaryen.
Emilia Clarke‘s character rose to power after marrying Khal Drogo. While Targaryen did become the ruler of the Seven Kingdoms, the Mother of Dragons died before ever claiming the Iron Throne as hers.
As Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch, Kit Harrington’s Jon Snow restored House Stark’s control of the North and stopped a war with the White Walkers. In the final season, Snow’s decisive actions against Targaryen shook fans as many hoped the Mother of Dragons wouldn’t fall from grace.
Peter Dinklage was in more Game of Thrones episodes than any other actor. He appeared in 67 out of 73 episodes, and his character was an integral part of the series for all eight seasons. Portraying Tyrion Lannister, he was despised by his family for most of his life. He switched allegiances to serve Targaryen and eventually was named the Lord of Casterly Rock.
Dinklage was one of the highest-paid actors on the long-running series, earning $500,000 per episode. He also has the highest net worth among Game of Thrones actors. According to Wealthy Gorilla, Dinklage has a current net worth of $25 million.