Game of Thrones [1] can be a dark and twist show, but that doesn't mean we can't have a little bit of fun with it. Even if you're a huge fan of the show, you probably don't know every little behind-the-scenes detail. (Then again, you might — I don't know you.) We've compiled a list of 17 facts that are actually interesting about the show, from casting trivia to movie connections. Take a look!
The Pilot That Never Was
- The pilot that eventually aired on HBO is not the original one created by Dan Weiss and David Benioff. Both have spoken at length about how bad the unaired pilot was [2]. Weiss even said that watching it was "one of the most painful experiences" of his life.
- George R.R. Martin actually took a page out of Stan Lee and Alfred Hitchcock's books by making a cameo in the pilot [3] as a nobleman at Daenerys and Khal Drogo's wedding. Too bad we'll never get to see it.
- Emilia Clarke doesn't even play Daenerys in the pilot; she's played by Tamzin Merchant (Salem). While the reason for the recasting was never revealed, Martin commented on his blog that he thought her performance was "wonderful." [4]
Behind-the-Scenes Info
- If you look closely at the actual Iron Throne, there appears to be several legendary swords [5] from other tales woven in, including Glamdring, Gandalf's sword from The Lord of the Rings.
- In 2012, data from the Social Security Administration revealed that 146 newborns were named "Khaleesi," [6] and 21 were named "Daenerys." Ironically, Khaleesi isn't even a name on Game of Thrones; it's a title.
- No single character appears in every episode of the show. In fact, only three characters have appeared on every single episode of a given season: Cersei and Joffrey on season one, and Tyrion on seasons two and five. No wonder people have so much trouble identifying Game of Thrones' main character [7]!
Weird Casting Trivia
- Outlander [8] star Sam Heughan auditioned to play several characters [9], including Renly Baratheon and Loras Tyrell. Bonus fact: Tobias Menzies stars on both shows.
- Are you even ready for this? Iwan Rheon (aka Ramsay Snow/Bolton) was nearly cast as Jon Snow [10].
- Meanwhile, Carice van Houten was originally asked to audition for Cersei [11]. Thanks to her role in Intruders, she was unable to, but eventually returned to play Melisandre.
- Dominic West flat-out rejected a role [12] on the show. He doesn't even remember (or doesn't want to say) what it was.
Cool Show Stuff
- While Joffrey looks strikingly similar to the callous Roman ruler Caligula [13], Jack Gleeson has said that his performance is inspired by Joaquin Phoenix's character [14] in Gladiator.
- Remember the first time we meet Tywin Lannister? He's dressing a stag on camera, and in reality, actor Charles Dance learned the real procedure from a butcher [15] the day before. "The next day, they gave me another dead animal, and we shot it," he said. "It was a bloody good time, but it took me two days to get the smell off my hands."
- Speaking of Tywin, in the series, his late wife is named Joanna and they have three children. In real life, Dance's ex-wife is named Joanna, and he has three children (two by Joanna, and one with his ex-fiancé).
- In the books, Daenerys has purple eyes. It was revealed on Blu-ray extras for the first season that this was originally the plan for the series [16], as well, but Emilia Clarke found the contacts so uncomfortable that they ultimately ditched them. (If only poor Maisie Williams had the luxury [17] . . . )
Cast Connections
- The Game of Thrones cast features nine actors who appeared in the Harry Potter films [18]: Michelle Fairley, David Bradley, Natalia Tena, Ciaran Hinds, Bronson Webb, Julian Glover, Ralph Ineson, Edward Tudor-Pole, and Ian Whyte.
- Meanwhile, a total of seven Game of Thrones actors appeared in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, including Gwendoline Christie, Max von Sydow, and Thomas Brodie-Sangster, in a blink-and-you-missed-it role [19].
- Finally, Doctor Who is practically a second home to the Game of Thrones cast. While Maisie Williams is the most recent actor to be featured, Iain Glen, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, David Bradley, Tobias Menzies, Liam Cunningham, Diana Rigg, Joe Dempsie, and more have appeared on the British staple.