Well it’s been a crazy few days, with casting info flying around left and right. My previous post linked to a thread in which a poster indicated that Nina Gold was the casting director for Thrones. Nina Gold is a well-respected casting director who has worked on many films and television series, most notably, HBO’s Rome. A user over at the Game of Thrones IMDb message board has posted a Showfax link confirming that she is working on the project. In addition, this poster provides a run down of “sides” that were recently posted in LA. Here is what the poster had to say:
Los Angeles casting notices went out recently (June 10) for 16 characters:
Arya
Bran
Catelyn
Cersei
Daenerys
Drogo
Jamie Lannister
Jon Snow
King Robert
Ned
Prince Joffrey
Robb Stark
Sansa
Ser Jorah
Theon
ViserysCasting breakdowns were found a few days ago for Drogo, Cersei, and Jamie. As far as whether breakdowns for the other 13 characters also went out on the 10th, I didn’t see any breakdowns for the other 13, but there were casting sides (pages of script actors use to try out for roles, for those who don’t know what “sides” are) for all 16 of them that were posted on June 10. Therefore, breakdowns for the other 13 roles may also exist (just not at the showfax site).
As the post states, sides are basically what the actor uses to read for his audition. They include a couple scenes from the script. They usually also provide a description of the character. Showfax is the industry standard for distributing these sides.
Based on the description of Jaime’s side provided by the IMDb poster, it looks as if the scenes present in his side are from the leaked script that I reviewed back in December. This confirms that that script was the real thing. Also a user named iheartseverus over at the Westeros forums further backs this up with his/her descriptions of the scenes for more characters, including Catelyn, Arya, Jon and Daenarys. These descriptions also contain a few scenes that were not in the original script, which indicate either revisions were made, or they are scenes from the potential second episode.
Winter Is Coming: So what does all this mean? Based on the Showfax link it would seem to mean that almost all of the roles are still currently casting. However, reports we have heard from folks who have already auditioned for a second time would seem to indicate that that is not the case. It could be that Showfax was slow to post these sides and that many of those roles are already cast. It seems that that is most likely the case. The only exception to these would be Cersei, Jaime and Khal Drogo, who all seem to be currently still in the casting process in LA.
Update: It looks like they have extended their search for Khal Drogo to NYC, based on this breakdown posted to Actors Access (you will have to sign up for a free account to see it). Also according to the breakdown, filming for the pilot is scheduled to begin on October 12 and last until November 6th! In addition, it gives us the full list of casting directors for this project. Here they are:
London Casting Director: Nina Gold
L.A. Casting Directors: Amy Berman, Carrie Frazier
L.A. Casting Associate: Michelle Taylor Spellman
N.Y. Casting Directors: Kerry Barden, Paul Schnee
N.Y. Casting Associate: Allison Estrin
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55 Comments
I don't understand… they were going to only use actors from England? Or are they looking for members of the British Guild currently in the US?
AnonymousQuote Reply
Thanks for the info!
BubbaQuote Reply
Things seem like they are picking up. I'm really getting excited to see some snippets about GoT in some more mainstream outlets. Am I the only one geeky enough to be lookin gforward to the first story about it on Extra?
LordnedsheadQuote Reply
they never said they were ONLY going to use actors from the UK.
AnonymousQuote Reply
They are probably under some obligation to get as many actors as they can from the U.K. but it isn't hard for them to say that the best person for a major role is such-and-such from the U.S., Canada, Australia, Denmark…wherever, and so they will be given whatever waiver it is the U.K. Equity bestows in those cases.
BrudeQuote Reply
It seems their "obligations" won't limit quality and vision. A handful of imported actors doesn't really compare to the many jobs that will be created around Belfast if this thing goes forward.
AnonymousQuote Reply
Despite the original plans to use UK-based actors, it seems that they may not have liked the choices for Jaime, Cersei and Khal Drogo. So they are expanding the search for these three.
As far as British Equity goes, a commenter on here recently pointed out to me that they allow temporary Equity membership for actors in exchange for a small fee plus a percentage of their compensation. I imagine this is the route they will take for any American joining the cast.
WinterIsComingQuote Reply
Think the equity thing has been blown out of proportion a bit, there are plenty of productions that use american actors that happen all over the world so there can't be many constraints to this.
Also we have not heard anything of anyone in the UK actually auditioning for these roles. They have just this week completed what appears to have been the final auditions in the UK and will probably be finalising and coordinating that element of casting as we speak and then move on to the US casting.
I am guessing equity theories aside this was the plan all along, they have used british actors for some roles because that was what they wanted and the theories of the lannisters being american seem well supported at the moment.
AnonymousQuote Reply
I agree, anon. I'm pretty sure the us casting was planned a while ago, and that they will consider all applicants including the uk after the round up. if an actor doesn't work out in the pilot they will have ample material without a new casting call.
AnonymousQuote Reply
I say they should scrap the whole live-action thing and just do a puppet version instead.
ThorQuote Reply
if these are the characters they are auditioning for now, does that mean that the other character most probably appearing in the first few episodes, such as tommen, rickon, benjen stark, etc., have already been casted?
AnonymousQuote Reply
Has anyone thought about this actress for Cersei?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carice_van_Houten
Carice van Houten
http://img2.timeinc.net/ew/dynamic/imgs/080922/Famous-Spies/Carice-Van-Houten-Black-Book_l.jpg
AnonymousQuote Reply
that broad from Black Book? Yuck.
AnonymousQuote Reply
what do you guys think of Batista for Khal Drogo?
AnonymousQuote Reply
Wrestling is 95% acting afterall…
Maybe instead of trying to cast one, actor for Drogo, they could simply pay for a well known actor… In the end it'd be for only a season, it'd give exposure, and he won't be one that many scenes anyways…
DavidQuote Reply
So out of that list of the characters that will appear in the pilot The Hound is missing. I wonder if they've found who they want for him. Benjen Stark is missing too I've noticed.
dizzyQuote Reply
Oh Hodor missing too…how can we forget Hodor?
dizzyQuote Reply
The Rock for Drogo!
AnonymousQuote Reply
I say get whoever just *looks* right for Drogo. It's not like the man has a lot of lines. He mostly sits on his horse, grunts, and looks menacingly dark and handsome.
LaurenQuote Reply
The thing is, the less someone has to say, the better an actor they have to be, to get the character across. As an actor myself, I can pretty much confirm that the silent, brooding type is more difficult to play than someone who talks a lot. So the fact that a character doesn't have a lot of lines, doesn't mean they can skip a good actor for the role. If someone doesn't have many lines, and is very minimal or unimportant to the story, then yes, you can settle for someone less than stellar (though in my opinion, talent is always more important than look…look can be modified and faked, talent and skill can't), but for a character that is as pivotal to the events of the first book as Drogo, the fact that he mostly sits on his horse and grunts, means a strong actor is needed to convey why Dany actually falls in love with him. The audience ultimately has to like and respect him on some level, even if they hate some of his behavior. And that's not easy, when you don't get to say much.
Just my $0.02
random221bQuote Reply
Definitely not The Rock then. lol Sorry, Mr. Anonymous!
LaurenQuote Reply
As it's already been mentioned, I think a Native American would be a great choice for Drogo's roll; I'm just not familiar with any actors of that descent – none in the appropriate age range at least.
And I'm very curious to see who they choose for the Hound. The only things I've seen around the web are always too old and way off the mark in my opinion.
LaurenQuote Reply
adam beach for drogo?
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0063440/
he's a very good actor and very handome
e.gQuote Reply
hahaha no.
AnonymousQuote Reply
GARY OLDMAN as THE HOUND!
he's doing voice work for a Spyro movie, but doesn't have anything else lined up.
can we start a petition!?!? would take this show to the next level of getting a fast track IMO. could he ever commit for that role? hmmmm.
…ryan
Ryan DunnQuote Reply
Gary Oldman is a great actor, but too old for the part of the Hound. But maybe it's me that's off since everybody seems to want the hound to be older. I always thought he was around 30 years old; am I wrong?
And I think Adam Beach has too much of a "baby face" to play Drogo.
LaurenQuote Reply
The Hound is about 27. They've inexplicably aged him up to 35 in the script, but that's still no reason for people to be suggesting old men for the role.
AnonymousQuote Reply
Thanks for confirming that. I was really starting to wonder…
LaurenQuote Reply
Looks like they're opting for a Middle Eastern Drogo:
"Drogo and his Dothraki people form a distinct race, ethnically different from the natives of Westeros. PREFER ACTORS OF MIDDLE EASTERN HERITAGE."
http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?showtopic=36918&st=20
It's not surprising that the Dothraki will be Middle Eastern since they're shooting in Morocco. Some of the scenes will require hundreds of extras and a Native American or Pacific Islander Khal leading a Moroccan Khalasar would just look tacky.
IsaacQuote Reply
oh, didn't know they were filming in Morocco. That would look a little funny for a Native American to be leading a bunch of Moroccan extras.
LaurenQuote Reply
Ive always pictured them middle eastern in appearance. This is good news.
AnonymousQuote Reply
I think Oldman would be great in several roles. His involvement in a strategically placed role could be great for getting the public interested in AGoT.
HQuote Reply
The only character I've ever pictured Oldman as is Davos. He's a bit old for Littlefinger. He's just not impossing enough for Ned in my opinion.
dizzyQuote Reply
Matt Yang king would be great for Drago, the only problem is that he is east Asian not middle eastern.Here take a look. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1175836/
AnonymousQuote Reply
all of you are so ridiculous. Oldman is a movie star, why would he even consider starring in a cable tv show? how much do you think they would need to dish out for him anyway? Might as well propose Tom Cruise for Ned. ERRHHG
AnonymousQuote Reply
@Anon 3:25……Set your sights high and see who you get….most of I realize were just dreaming when it comes to casting….but it's not like Mr.Oldman is working 24-7 …the older you get the less roles your offered…who knows he may need the work LOL
coltaine777Quote Reply
I agree that Oldman isn't going to be much more than wishful thinking, but it's a starting point for fans to say how they imagine what "X" character looks like. Nothing wrong with starting out with an actor that you know would be awesome for a part, then working down to lesser known actors that would be more likely to be cast. Just a starting point to get folks thinking and looking in the right direction, ya know?
LaurenQuote Reply
@Anon 3:25.. I would agree with you, but the whole purpose for this site is to fantasize about the pilot without having all the facts. The unknown makes people giddy.
Gary Oldman is such a great character actor, one of the best in my opinion (fondly remember "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead" and of course the best ever villain in "Leon the Professional").
As an actor, he has so many opportunities, why not make room for talented newcomers?
I wouldn't complain if he was in this pilot of course, though I can't imagine what role he could take on. Lately he has taken subdued roles that don't allow him to 'steal the spotlight', and those roles don't interest me, so there's no reason for him to be in something where he can't unleash himself.
bardamuQuote Reply
Gary Oldman is much too old to play the Hound. The script says that they're looking for someone approximately 35 to play Sandor; Oldman is 51. Adam Beach is a very good actor, but he's way too small to play Drogo (at 5'11"). I always pictured the Dothraki as Mongolians. Hodor does not appear in the pilot.
Just a reminder of the ages/descriptions of these characters, according to the leaked script:
Arya (11, skinny tomboy)
Bran (8)
Catelyn (35, auburn-haired, blue-eyed)
Cersei (30s, green-eyed, golden-haired, with legendary beauty)
Daenerys (15, beautiful, violet eyes, silver hair)
Drogo (30, very tall, very muscular, very graceful, black hair)
Jamie Lannister (30s, extremely good-looking, green eyes)
Jon Snow (17, slender, darker than Robb & Bran, black eyes)
King Robert (40s, black beard, fat)
Ned (40, brown hair, graying beard)
Prince Joffrey (13, tall for his age)
Robb Stark (17, big & broad, fair skin, reddish-brown hair)
Sansa (13, traditionally beautiful, high cheekbones, thick red hair)
Ser Jorah (40s, balding, strong & fit)
Theon (19)
Viserys (20, gaunt, pale eyes)
mosquito wenziQuote Reply
I would have like to see Alexander Skarsgård as Jaime. He would be perfect for the role, seeing he has done previously work for HBO's True Blood and Generation Kill. He is also from Sweden, almost next to his second home Sweden. He might be wanted for the third season of True Blood, but who knows…
White RabbitQuote Reply
Oi, sorry…I meant Sweden is a stone skip away from Britain.
White RabbitQuote Reply
I heard that True Blood's ratings are the best HBO was gotten since the Sapranos (even better than Sex in the City). I doubt Skarsgård would be jumping from show to show considering his character becomes more important to the overall story (according to the books). I guess you could never rule it out but I think it's highly unlikely.
dizzyQuote Reply
I always had Skarsgård pegged as Rhaegar. Scenes involving him are all flashback, and few and far between. Still would love a Josh Holloway as Jaime
AnonymousQuote Reply
Winter, Im just curious whether you or anyone else know for sure whether there will be flashbacks or not. Please, no guesses anyone, I already have a fair idea about what you think.
AnonymousQuote Reply
@Anon:
There isn't any flashback scene in the leaked pilot script. That's all we can say at the moment.
Mr. DonnerfaustQuote Reply
Anon: Yeah, pretty much what Donnerfaust said. Even the lack of flashbacks in the pilot isn't a guarantee as they could always re-write some in if they wanted to, although chances of that are slim at this point.
But yeah, we don't really know what other episodes may or may not contain.
WinterIsComingQuote Reply
Any one here that has heard of PCR? I guess it is the UK's version of Actor's Access. I found an article about Thrones on their website. Check it out, it is under the heading "Latest News."
Unfortunately you need a subscription to read it and I don't have one, nor can I get one since I don't live in the UK. Any one here that already has a subscription, or feels like getting one, that can give us the lowdown on what the article says? That would be awesome and I would give you serious props in the post and generally just think you were a wonderful person. Thanks!
WinterIsComingQuote Reply
anna paquin stars in true blood, and she was a film star, albeit not the level of oldman. but oldman is usually a supporting star, and other than his batman reoccuring role, i don't see it as impossible to think you could get at least one a-lister in this GoT series.
you're right about his age for sandor, i just imagined him heavily made up to fit the part. he would be a great davos. what about randyll tarly? mace tyrell? damphair greyjoy (think true romance)? jon arryn? benjen stark?
come on people, GARY OLDMAN for GoT!!
…ryan
Ryan DunnQuote Reply
sarah jessica parker was a film star before sex and the city. bill paxton was a star before big love. jeremy pivin was a star before entourage. james gandolfini was a star before sopranos. david duchovny was a star before californication. jeremy rhys davies was a star before tudors.
let's not be too low on our expectations here. all i'm saying.
…ryan
Ryan DunnQuote Reply
jonathan rhys meyers, sorry. not gimli!
…ryan
Ryan DunnQuote Reply
happy to be here. My name really is Jaimee and i will be a perfect cersi
#1 because im obsessed with the books
#2 i fit the physical description to a T (ex-model, green eyes, naturally curly blonde- with a hint of red- hair, tall…and i look like i could be Viggo's sister as well as Dinklage's not tomention josh halloways if only he were available…~sigh…
#3 Im obsessed with the books
#4 Im an amuteur actress (but I made my drama teacher cry when i did my very first dramatic improv in Jr High)
#5 im obsessed with the books
#6 Im available and im unknown so also affordable :)
#7 and this is very important….Im obsessed with the books
#8 Im a little crazy and many men fear me….yet still chase me.
#9 Im the right age & my daughter is the right age/look for Myrecella.( i also have nephews…)
#10 Im not above begging… I MUST get this part you guys…. help me please. I am an ADORING fan and will do it the justice it deserves….I was born to play this role.
#11 the lucky thing is…I work well wih others…and i play nice in real life. this would let me be opposite of who i really am to be this character.
#12 Im obsessed with the books.
Jaimee’s cersiQuote Reply
Ryan, I think you make good points about Oldman. Although I think the show will be high quality, who knows how far they'll go with the budget. Gary Oldman in this show would be tits. Good point about Anna Paquin, but I have to be the devil's advocate for a minute. Without Paquin, the show would not be half as good as it is, seriously. She carries the show. On the other hand, she truly is a star and brings her fans and appeal to the show.
The other actors you mention including Sarah J P, I can't say they are good examples. The shows advanced their careers.
GoT, unless it is incredible, will not advance Oldman's career as a supporting character (Harry Potter certainly didn't).
But all that aside, HBO would be extremely awesome to hire him.
bardamuQuote Reply
As I said before though, Sam Neill isn't a only star that they used on The Tudors (which I believe is responsible for the GoT interest at HBO), which didn't advance his career, he also did an incredible performance that should have earned him some props.
bardamuQuote Reply
Natalie Dormer for Cersei
AnonymousQuote Reply
My dream would be to put Olivia Wilde as Cersei :]
AnonymousQuote Reply