Skip to Content

What the Game of Thrones Cast Looks Like in Real Life

Wait until you see the incredible transformations from the prequel, House of the Dragon.

By
Hair, Clothing, Fashion, Fashion model, Skin, Hairstyle, Beauty, Dress, Model, Long hair,
HBO/Getty Images

Every product on this page was chosen by a Harper's BAZAAR editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

After eight battle-filled, dragon-slaying seasons, Game of Thrones came to an end in 2019 with the series finale seen around the world. To celebrate its much-anticipated prequel, House of the Dragon, we're revisiting our favorite characters from the past—plus a few newbies from the spinoff. See what they really look like beneath the makeup, wigs, and special effects that turn them into citizens of the Seven Kingdoms.

WATCH GAME OF THRONES ON HBO

WATCH HOUSE OF THE DRAGON ON HBO

1

Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke)

Fashion model, Fashion, Dress, Human, Haute couture, Collage, Neck, Sleeve, Style, Fashion design,
HBO/Getty Images

From left: Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen in Season 8; Clarke at the Game of Thrones Season 8 premiere on April 3, 2019.

2

Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey)

Hair, Face, Hairstyle, Beauty, Eyebrow, Blond, Long hair, Brown hair, Lip, Bangs,
HBO/Getty Images

From left: Headey as Cersei Lannister in Season 8; Headey at the Golden Globes on January 7, 2018.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3

Jon Snow (Kit Harington)

Facial hair, Beard, Fashion, Fur, Fictional character, Fur clothing, Suit, Jacket,
HBO/Getty Images

From left: Harington as Jon Snow in Season 8; Harington at the GoT Season 8 premiere on April 3, 2019.

4

Arya Stark (Maisie Williams)

Fashion, Model, Style,
HBO/Getty Images

From left: Williams as Arya Stark in Season 8; Williams at the GoT Season 8 premiere on April 3, 2019.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5

Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage)

Facial hair, Beard, Hair, Chin, Moustache, Neck, Long hair, Fictional character,
HBO/Getty Images

From left: Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister in Season 8; Dinklage at the GoT Season 8 premiere on April 3, 2019.

6

Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau)

Facial hair, Beard, Suit, Fictional character, Moustache, White-collar worker,
HBO/Getty Images

From left: Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister in Season 8; Coster-Waldau at the GoT Season 8 premiere on April 3, 2019.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7

Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner)

Hair, Fashion model, Fashion, Beauty, Hairstyle, Blond, Lip, Model, Fur, Long hair,
HBO/Getty Images

From left: Turner as Sansa Stark in Season 8; Turner at the GoT Season 8 premiere on April 3, 2019.

8

Ygritte (Rose Leslie)

Fashion model, Clothing, Beauty, Fashion, Dress, Model, Premiere, Long hair, Fashion design, Photo shoot,
HBO/Getty Images

From left: Leslie as Ygritte in Season 3; Leslie at the GoT Season 8 premiere on April 3, 2019.

9

Drogo (Jason Momoa)

Hair, Facial hair, Beard, Barechested, Human, Muscle, Chest hair, Moustache, Model,
HBO/Getty Images

From left: Momoa as Drogo in Season 1; Momoa at the GoT Season 8 premiere on April 3, 2019.

10

Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie)

Superhero, Fictional character,
HBO/Getty Images

From left: Christie as Brienne of Tarth in Season 8; Christie at the GoT Season 8 premiere on April 3, 2019.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
11

Melisandre (Carice van Houten)

Hair, Face, Lip, Beauty, Eyebrow, Hairstyle, Fashion, Fashion model, Long hair, Model,
HBO/Getty Images

From left: van Houten as Melisandre in Season 7; van Houten at the GoT Season 8 premiere on April 3, 2019.

12

Lord Eddard Stark (Sean Bean)

Premiere, Fictional character, Movie,
HBO/Getty Images

From left: Bean as Ned Stark in Season 1; Bean at the GoT Season 8 premiere on April 3, 2019.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
13

Margaery Tyrell (Natalie Dormer)

Hair, Clothing, Fashion model, Dress, Hairstyle, Shoulder, Beauty, Fashion, Blond, Long hair,
HBO/Getty Images

From left: Dormer as Margaery Tyrell in Season 5, Episode 3, "High Sparrow"; Dormer at the GoT Season 8 premiere on April 3, 2019.

14

Oberyn Martell (Pedro Pascal)

Suit, Outerwear, Blazer, Fictional character, White-collar worker, Jacket,
HBO/Getty Images

From left: Pascal as Oberyn Martell in Season 4; Pascal at the GoT Season 8 premiere on April 3, 2019.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
15

Missandei (Nathalie Emmanuel)

Hair, Hairstyle, Fashion model, Shoulder, Beauty, Fashion, Lip, Dress, Premiere, Long hair,
HBO/Getty Images

From left: Emmanuel as Missandei in Season 7; Emmanuel at the GoT Season 8 premiere on April 3, 2019.

16

Samwell Tarly (John Bradley)

Facial hair, Beard, Suit, Formal wear, White-collar worker, Tuxedo, Fictional character,
HBO/Getty Images

From left: Bradley as Samwell Tarly in Season 8; Bradley at the GoT Season 8 premiere on April 3, 2019.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
17

Robert Baratheon (Mark Addy)

Facial hair, Beard, Tartan, Design, Pattern, Moustache, Textile,
HBO/Getty Images

From left: Addy as Robert Baratheon in Season 1; Addy at the GoT Season 8 premiere on April 3, 2019.

18

Joffrey Baratheon (Jack Gleeson)

Suit, Formal wear, Fictional character,
HBO/Getty Images

From left: Gleeson as Joffrey Baratheon in Season 4; Gleeson at the GoT Season 8 premiere on April 3, 2019.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
19

Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish (Aiden Gillen)

Movie, Fictional character, Suit, Premiere, Flash photography,
HBO/Getty Images

From left: Gillen as Littlefinger in Season 7, Episode 7, "The Dragon and the Wolf"; Gillen at the GoT Season 8 premiere on April 3, 2019.

20

Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead-Wright)

Fashion, Fur, Eyewear, Fur clothing, Outerwear, Glasses, Jacket, Fictional character, Black hair,
HBO/Getty Images

From left: Hempstead-Wright as Bran Stark in Season 8; Hempstead-Wright at the GoT Season 8 premiere on April 3, 2019.

Watch Next 
preview for The Good Buy
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below