The Women From Game Of Thrones Like You’ve Never Seen Them Before

From the moment that Game Of Thrones aired on HBO, it was an instant hit. Audiences ate up the riveting action and drama based on the best-selling books by author George R.R. Martin. The show’s top-notch cast helped bring alive memorable characters within the complex work that Martin built.

Before its phenomenal success, the actresses on the series were not particularly recognizable, which of course has now changed. As they’ve been given more roles, seeing these women out of character and not in their costumes takes some getting used to. Here’s what some of those women look like outside of Westeros…

Melisandre

Melisandre is a character often called “The Red Woman” or “The Red Witch” on Game Of Thrones. She served as a priestess in the religion of R’hilor, acting as counselor to King Stannis Baratheon in his attempt to seize the Iron Throne.

Melisandre’s talents include reanimation, reviving the Night’s Watch commander Jon Snow, serving as his advisor and confidante before being banished. Her role as priestess was a pivotal plot-line as the religion of the characters caused even more strife among the kingdoms.

Carice Van Houten

Carice Van Houten plays the mysterious Melisandre on Game Of Thrones, her real-life countenance is much more innocent than what her character indicates. This Dutch actress and singer debuted in Suzy Q, for which she received a Golden Calf Award.

She rose to prominence shortly after her performance in Black Book. She was nominated for a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress in the film, but like many on this list, it was her portrayal on the HBO show that earned her international exposure.

Missandei

Missandei is a former slave from Naath serving as an interpreter to Kraznys mo Nakloz of Astapor who ends up being freed by Daenerys Targaryen. She becomes one of the Mother of Dragons’ most important advisors.

Enslaved at a very young age, she was brought into a position of power through her knowledge and service as an interpreter. Her ability to translate over nineteen languages made her a respected member of her houses.

Nathalie Emmanuel

Nathalie Emmanuel is an English actress, born in and raised in Essex, England. She credits her mother for instilling in her a love of the arts that led to acting.

A breakthrough role at the age of 10 was the start of an illustrious career. She went on from her debut as Nala in The Lion King to star in the television series Hollyoaks. Other film credits include Furious 7, Maze Runner, and The Dark Crystal.

Brienne Of Tarth

Brienne of Tarth is easily a fan favorite in the series. She lives in a sexist and brutal society, yet she manages to overcome these challenges. She vows to become one of the most skilled warriors in Westeros.

Brienne has an unrivaled sense of honor and loyalty that translate well to excellence as a warrior. She is the first woman to be officially knighted in the Seven Kingdoms, a title that she wears with pride.

Gwendoline Christie

Fair-skinned, ethereal Gwendoline Christie is an English actress and model most well-known for her portrayal of Brienne. She has also been seen in blockbuster films such as Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

Christie’s height and her unconventional appearance made her a natural model, as well as unconventional roles that put her on the map. Her stage and onscreen work have earned her the respect of critics and contemporaries alike.

Shae

Shae is the paramour of  Tyrion Lannister, living quite the posh life as his mistress in King’s Landing. Her confident demeanor and seductive charms help Tyrion fall hard for her after being nervous to love.

She eventually embroils herself in a complicated betrayal. This has Tyrion give one of the show’s most memorable monologues in the show  that certainly helped secure an Emmy award for actor Peter Dinklage.

Sibel Kekilli

Kekilli was not a mainstream actress before being discovered by a casting director in Cologne, who invited her to audition for a film. This strategic move changed the trajectory of her career forever.

Sibel Kekilli may not identify with her character’s motivations in Game Of Thrones, but she has displayed great range showcasing emotions of love, jealousy, and scorn. Thanks to her discovery, this German actress has appeared in many films throughout the 2000s and continues to negotiate with HBO productions for future performances.

Ellaria Sand

Ellaria Sand is a master of manipulation when it comes to keeping Dorne under tight control. Her collaboration with the Sand Snakes ultimately resulted in a shift of power to Daenerys Targaryen.

Hellbent on revenge, Ellaria would stop at nothing to get justice after the man she loved, Prince Oberyn Martell, meets his end in a brutal way. Her eventual capture by Cersei provides her with a fate much worse than any of us would imagine.

Indira Varma

When she’s not busy busting apart kingdoms, actress Indira Varma prefers to sometimes don clothing for comfort wear and comfortable roles. She considers herself a method actress who likes to stretch her capabilities by playing varied characters.

Her film roles prior to Game Of Thrones include Bride And Prejudice, Basic Instinct 2, and Exodus: Gods and Kings. Several television and small screen appearances have earned her critical acclaim for versatility and devotion to her craft.

Ros

Ros is a woman that is frequented by the men of Winterfell. Her beauty and talent have drawn the attention of several young nobles in the northern land. Among them is Theon Greyjoy, a regular customer of the fiery redhead.

She bounced around among brothels before becoming a spy for several of her clients. Unfortunately, her time undercover time ended with exposure and a very cruel end at the hand of King Joffrey.

Esme Bianco

The character of Ros was quite easy for Esme Bianco to wrap her head around, particularly because of her more risque performance experience in the past.

Dead Man Running was one of her onscreen accomplishments before she branched out to take on fantasy roles in television, including The Magicians and Star Vs. The Forces Of Evil. She enjoys the variety that playing different roles gives her, as well as the chance to explore an entirely new look for each one.

Yara Greyjoy

Lady Yara Greyjoy is the daughter and last surviving offspring of Balon Greyjoy. Raised at Pyke, she has learned the ways of a fierce warrior, becoming master and commander of her own longship, the Black Wind.

Lady Yara steps into power after the assassination of her father, taking claim of the Iron Islands. After being betrayed by her uncle, she fights back with a loyal following of warriors, eventually reclaiming the throne she believed had always been hers.

Gemma Whelan

Gemma Whelan is hardly recognizable to Yara Greyjoy when stepping out to take on other roles in film and television. While Greyjoy is her most well-known character, she has also played roles across other genres, including comedy and drama.

As she is transitioning out of small screen roles and back to the big screen, Whelan remains loyal to two of her favored roles, including her portrayal of Kate in Upstart Crow and as Patricia Campbell on the hit show The Crown.

Olenna Tyrell

Lady Olenna Tyrell is the older matriarch of House Tyrell, though she is no feeble and fragile lass. Equal parts bitter and thirsty for revenge, she’s willing to do anything to turn over the allegiance of her house to Daenerys Targaryen.

This Queen of Thorns has a forked tongue as well. Her mastery of insults can cut other characters so quickly, causing even the most brave-hearted to steer clear. Even on her deathbed, she was spewing poison from her bitter lips.

Diana Rigg

While audiences now know her as someone that pulled many of the strings in Westeros, Rigg made waves in the 1960s on the popular British TV series The Avengers. On the big screen, she went on to play a James Bond flame, starring opposite George Lazenby in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

With Olenna Tyrell being so calculatingly manipulative, it’s a bit shocking to see actress Diana Rigg with her normally-kind countenance. This master of her craft was a Hollywood favorite for decades, lighting up both the large and small screen before passing away in September of 2020.

Margaery Tyrell

Margaery Tyrell is played by English actress Natalie Dormer. She uses her family influence and beauty to navigate the political game expertly, securing more power for House Tyrell.

Margaery knows what it takes to stay at the top of the hierarchy. Soon after the death of her husband, Joffrey Baratheon, she worked her way into his brother Tommen’s good graces, stepping into the role of Queen Consort, angering Cersei.

Natalie Dormer

When not trying to rise to the top of a kingdom, Natalie Dormer has lent her time and talents to other film and television pursuits such as The Hunger Games and the CBS series Elementary. She has earned critical acclaim for a leading role in the miniseries, Penny Dreadful: City of Angels.

Natalie’s normal stage presentation is one of smiles and a sparkle in the eye, but doesn’t always resemble her Thrones character in some of her more recent roles. Since the series, her movie and television career opportunities have improved significantly, which isn’t surprising.

Arya Stark

Arya Stark is one of those characters that people tune in for just to see her growth and evolution. The daughter of Eddard and Catelyn Stark, she managed to escape brutal persecution of House Stark, training to become a warrior.

She channels her own painful childhood to become a formidable force of pain and misery to others, especially those who have targeted her family. From meek and mild to assassin run wild, she became one of the most popular characters on the show.

Maisie Williams

Maisie Williams literally grew up onscreen, taking on the role of Arya when she was just a teen. She earned critical praise for her work on the show, including a Primetime Emmy Award For Outstanding Supporting Actress.

This fresh-faced youth has been seen in other television series, including the BBC science fiction series Doctor Who and the television film Cyberbully. Still in her twenties, Williams has a bright future ahead over her, regardless of the screen she chooses to pursue.

Ygritte

Ygritte is a Free Folk woman who became a prominent warrior against the Night’s Watch. She served as a soldier in Mance Rayder’s army while romantically pursuing Jon Snow.

Ygritte is as quick with witty banter as she is with her bow. She refused to pledge loyalty to any one group, as she had the foresight to see doom and gloom coming for all clans involved in conflict.

Rose Leslie

Rose Leslie is the woman behind the passionate Ygritte. Her refined stage appearance stands in stark contrast to the gritty warrior that she plays in the series, yet fans appreciate any role she takes on.

Another fan favorite role that Leslie is known for is her character Gwen Dawson in the ITV series Downton Abbey. Preferring television and theater performances, she has received critical acclaim for her work.

Sansa Stark

The oldest daughter of Eddard Stark, the innocent little girl with dreams of knights and fairytales grew into a dark and tormented soul, deeply embroiled in murder and betrayal. At the same time, her training as a noblewoman demanded high moral decorum.

Through several tragic event, Sansa learns to play her cards close to the chest, preferring a few close relationships to an enormous entourage. Audiences identify with her character’s emotional evolution while preparing for her future leadership role.

Sophie Turner

Sophie Turner is an English actress who made a name for herself as Sansa Stark. Her acting work resulted in a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series, an impressive freshman performance, to be sure.

Since cutting her teeth on this meaty role, she has opened herself up to taking on all kinds of roles in film and television, including, Another Me, Barely Lethal, and the most recent X-Men films.

Daenerys Targaryen

One of the most notorious of the queens on this list is Daenerys Targaryen. Hellbent on securing her right to the throne she uses her dragons to help strike fear of her skeptics.

Woe to the friend or foe that stands in the way of this powerful queen, and don’t even think about questioning her leadership abilities. She walks a fine line between powerful and madness, leading to some of the most surprising events in the Game Of Thrones storyline.

Emilia Clarke

Emilia Clarke, in contrast to her Game Of Thrones character, is a brunette, who has used her powerful role as a breakthrough to other onscreen opportunities. Clarke’s film credits include starring appearances in Terminator Genisys and Me Before You.

More recently, Emilia Clarke has been seen in 2018’s spinoff Solo: A Star Wars Story. She is starring in a holiday feature entitled Last Christmas after wrapping up her current conquest, Above Suspicion.

Cersei Lannister

Every little girl dreams of playing the role of a powerful queen, and Cersei Lannister is likely the character that we pattern our fantasies after. The most powerful queen of all warring kingdoms, she rules not only with great wealth and wisdom, but an iron fist.

Cersei is obsessed with power and ambition, seeking to dominate the seven kingdoms she’s been charged with overseeing. One of the most dangerous characters on the show, she’s the ideal villain for the job.

Lena Headey

When she isn’t ordering the demise of the king next door, Lena Headey is known for her appearance in films such as Waterland, The Brothers Grimm, and The Jungle Book. She also has a soft spot for fantasy animation, where she hopes to inspire young fans to reach for their dreams.

Once she takes the crown off and allows for a softer hairstyle, Lena embodies character qualities that allow her to seek various roles. Most recently, she’s taken on a female comedic role in a film entitled Fighting With My Family.

Princess Shireen Baratheon

Princess Shireen is the only surviving child of Stannis and Selyse Baratheon, and one of the longest-running characters in Game Of Thrones, having made it through five seasons before meeting a heartbreaking end.

Scarred by Greyscale as an infant, she retained her trademark facial features through the series, making her one of the more recognizable characters on the show. Her strong warrior spirit is equally as impressive as a loyalty to loved ones.

Kerry Ingram

Kerry Ingram went through some trials and tribulations before putting on those signature scales to play the Princess. She remained uncredited from her 2009 performance in Robin Hood and had sequences cut from Les Miserables, casting some doubt on a future career.

Thankfully, with the role offered her in Game Of Thrones, we see her evolve as an actress and as a character and is now looking forward to landing more significant roles such as her most recent project, a UK series entitled Free Rein.

Princess Myrcella Baratheon

Princess Myrcella entered the Game Of Thrones script as a tool being used by Tyrion against his sister Cersei. Her betrothal to a youth from the House Dorne was purely for political purposes.

As with most marriages in this dramatic and somewhat tragic saga, Princess Myrcella’s happiness is short-lived. Her storyline is of the more sympathetic-inducing as she never had much control of her own life, and was a pawn throughout.

Nell Tiger Free

Thanks to her role in Game Of Thrones, Nell Tiger Free has seen more work, in a film entitled Wonderwell, and with plans to take a central role in the television series Too Old To Die Young.

Nell is no doubt grateful for her pivotal role in the hit show. Although her filmography is still relatively small, she has plenty of opportunities opening up for her as a result of her fresh-faced yet tragic character portrayal.

Tyene Sand

Tyene Sand was one of the notorious Sand Snakes. The illegitimate daughter of Prince Oberyn Martell and Ellaria Sand, she had a hand in helping her mother seize power in Dorne together with sisters Obara and Nymeria.

She honed her strong survival instincts and fierce loyalty to her mother, participating in the killing of several rivals, including her own cousin Trystane Martell. Her skilled fighting techniques included coating her blades with poison.

Rosabell Laurenti Sellers

Rosabell is an American actress who was born with entertaining in her blood. The daughter of actress Mary Sellers and Italian filmmaker Fabrizio Laurenti, she developed a passion for stage and screen quite early, making her debut at age 8.

Her family moved to Rome shortly after her New York debut, and she took on a number of roles in Italian television and film, earning critical acclaim for her work. Her transformation from young and innocent to the character we know as Tyene Sand is truly impressive.

Karsi

Karsi is a spitfire of a spearwife with an equally sharp tongue. She represents her clan in a meeting with chieftains and Jon Snow, calling for a union of the Free Folk and Crows to defeat the White Walkers.

Despite Karsi’s efforts to defeat the massive White Walker resistance, she sadly succumbs to defeat, losing her daughter and her own life. Defiant to the very end, her demise left an impression on fans.

Birgitte Hjort Sorensen

Without the period-specific makeup and costume, Birgitte Hjort Sorenson looks as wholesome as the girl down the street. This Danish actress has been nominated for three Robert Awards and one Bodil award for her onscreen work.

After a school trip to London at age 19 had her fantasizing about life onstage, she jumped at the chance in any production, whether large or small. She successfully crossed over from Danish to American film and television with her role on Game Of Thrones.

Lyanna Mormont

Lyanna Mormont is the young, proud Lady of Bear Island. She assumed command of Bear Island when her own mother, Lady Maege Mormont was assassinated during the War of Five Kings.

This pint-sized leader is a seamless blend of logic, cunning, and attitude. She was the first Northern leader to proclaim Jon Snow as King. Her strong, loud voice commands respect despite her diminutive size.

Bella Ramsey

Isabella May Ramsey is an English actress and singer most well known for her role on Game Of Thrones. Her young, innocent beauty is a surprising characteristic that adds vulnerability to her strong character in the series.

Getting her stage start at age four, she attended school online while training vigorously through Stagecoach Theatre Arts. With this first significant role, she has gone on to secure roles in The Worst Witch and Hilda.