Along with its massive battles and grand spectacle, Game of Thrones was filled with incredible performances that elevated the show even further. While Game of Thrones grew into one of the biggest shows of all time, the ensemble cast was a big reason it wasn't initially dismissed as a silly fantasy show. Over the course of the eight seasons, a dozen Game of Thrones cast members were nominated for awards for their performances, while many more deserved recognition.
From the heroes whom we cheered on to the villains we despised to the characters that were somewhere in between, the best performances on Game of Thrones helped bring these fascinating figures to life. They improved the show and gave us characters we will not soon forget.
1. Sean Bean as Ned Stark
Though his time on the show was brief compared to many of the other cast members, Sean Bean was a defining part of Game of Thrones season 1. As Ned Stark, Bean laid the foundation for House Stark to be the fan-favorite family of this franchise, creating a hero who was noble and just in a world where such qualities were hard to come by.
Bean perfectly played Ned as a stoic man without letting him get dull. He may have been outsmarted by his enemies, but even in his most frustrating decisions, the audience never stopped rooting for him. Without Bean's performance, Ned's shocking death would never have hit so hard.
2. Diana Rigg as Olenna Tyrell
There are some members of the Game of Thrones cast who excelled at stealing scenes in smaller roles. Dame Diana Rigg perfectly fit this mold as the imposing Lady Olenna Tyrell. Though she was an older woman, Lady Olenna proved time and time again that she was indeed the head of the house.
Olenna was a character who always had a witty barb ready for every adversary she came across. It was a great joy to see her spar with her various scene partners, always managing to win the argument. She was hilarious, inspiring, and powerful without ever raising her voice, and she is a rare character who was even able to claim victory in her death scene.
3. Pedro Pascal as Oberyn Martell
Pedro Pascal has grown into such a superstar who has appeared in so many other franchises that it is easy to forget he first came to people's attention in Game of Thrones. Joining the series in season 4, Pascal stole the show as Oberyn Martell, the swashbuckling prince who comes to King's Landing looking for revenge.
Pascal shows off his endless charisma in the role, playing a character who is actually able to stand up to the Lannisters. His conversation with Tyrion in the dungeon shows the quieter pain of the character and his fearless quest for justice. He also gets one of the most memorable deaths in Game of Thrones.
4. Stephen Dillane as Stannis Baratheon
Stannis Baratheon is a character that the show never seemed to know what to do with, which is a shame because Stephen Dillane still gives an exceptional performance in the role. Stannis is a man who doesn't show too many emotions, but Dillane manages to create an internal performance that is compelling and says so much without any words.
He is a commanding presence whenever he is on screen and is able to change our perception of Stannis while still maintaining his icy demeanor. Dillane's performance in the scene in which he shows some genuine love to his daughter instantly made Stannis likable, only for him to later kill that same daughter.
5. Rory McCann as Sandor "The Hound" Clegane
The Hound was first introduced on the show, seemingly filling the evil henchman role, however, Rory McCann helped shape him into a much deeper character. McCann always excelled at making The Hound seem like one of the deadliest people in Westeros, but he gradually showed a vulnerability and even gentleness to the character as the show went on.
McCann really had a chance to shine in the role when The Hound was teamed up with Arya Stark. He was a bully and cruel, but also a protector and friend by the end. Balancing the roughness with that softer side is no easy task, but McCann nailed it every time.
6. Gwendoline Christie as Brienne of Tarth
Brienne of Tarth was one of the easiest characters to like on Game of Thrones, and Gwendoline Christie helped to make it a little easier. There is a strong argument to be made that Brienne is the greatest fighter in Westeros, but Christie never let go of the humanity behind this warrior.
We got to see Brienne in pain and grief at various times throughout the series. As brave and honorable as she is, Christie keeps her grounded, which makes her all the more likable. Christie gives it her all in the role, especially in the brutal Game of Thrones fight sequence against The Hound.
7. Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark
One of the joys of watching Game of Thrones over the years was seeing the young actors grow more confident and skilled in their craft. This is perhaps best seen with Sophie Turner's turn as Sansa Stark, who came off as a somewhat frustrating and naive little girl in the first season and grew into a powerful hero in her own right.
Such a journey only worked because Turner made us believe this transformation. She played the fear and helplessness of Sansa in the early seasons, then gradually showed her learning how to maneuver in this dangerous world. By the end, we all believed that Sansa was one of the most capable leaders in Westeros, and Turner was commanding in the role
8. Jack Gleeson as Joffrey Baratheon
Playing the villain is no easy task, especially when that villain is one of the most despicable characters in television history. It didn't take long for audiences to hate Joffrey Baratheon, and a lot of that is due to Jack Gleeson's pitch-perfect performance as the sadistic and pompous prince. However, it is a more difficult performance than some fans might have guessed.
It wasn't just that Gleeson was playing the evil side of Joffrey. He had to play a character who was frightening in what he was capable of, yet also pathetic in how he was all talk and no action. Gleeson wasn't worried about how turned off the audience would be by his character. He committed to the villainy with all his effort.
9. Alfie Allen as Theon Greyjoy
Alfie Allen was given one of the most complex and difficult roles to play on Game of Thrones and proved to be up to the task each time. He was a relatively small character in the first season, only to take a major role in season 2, where he became hated by fans due to his betrayal of Robb Stark.
Allen was exceptional in showing Theon's desperate need to prove himself and all the foolish turns he made along the way. Even more impressive, he then made Theon a sympathetic character as he underwent brutal torture. By the time he was on a journey of redemption, Theon had become perhaps the most tragic and fascinating character on Game of Thrones.
10. Maisie Williams as Arya Stark
While many of the young actors on Game of Thrones saw their performances improve as they got older, Maisie Williams was delivering a knockout performance from the very beginning. Arya Stark needed an actor who had strength and boldness. Williams proved herself perfect for the role as soon as she appeared on screen.
As the series went on, her performance never faltered from that pitch-perfect place. Arya became more vicious and a cold-blooded killer of her enemies. However, Williams also stayed connected to that little girl who could be scared even when she was trying to be so strong. It's no surprise so many fans are still hoping for an Arya Stark spinoff.
11. Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen
Game of Thrones is a massive ensemble, but if there is one character who can be considered the true protagonist, it would likely be Daenerys Targaryen. For eight seasons, Emilia Clarke held this daunting position on the show and executed it wonderfully. It was another performance that expertly handled the gradual growth of this character who ended up being so different from where she began.
Clarke made the audience fall in love with Daenerys with her strength and determination. She had tremendous passion, which could manifest itself in kindness or cruelty. While many fans criticized the abruptness of Daenerys' final arc, Clarke helped sell that transformation as terrifying and heartbreaking.
12. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister
Jaime Lannister may have the most intriguing character arc in Game of Thrones, and the show was lucky to have an actor like Nikolaj Coster-Waldau to sell it. In the very first episode, Jaime is discovered having an affair with his own sister and pushes Bran Stark out of a window. It would have seemed impossible for such a character to be seen as anything other than a villain in the eyes of fans.
However, Coster-Waldau wonderfully plays that hateful side of Jaime before peeling back the layers and showing his hidden truth. He was misunderstood, but also deeply flawed and capable of terrible things. Coster-Waldau let that conflict within Jaime shine through, and he became one of the highlights of the show.
13. Lena Heady as Cersei Lannister
Once again, one of the best performances on Game of Thrones emerges out of a character the audience seemed destined to hate. Despite a lot of strong competition, Cersei Lannister was the main villain of the series and remained unrepentant in that role until the very end. However, Lena Heady still managed to find ways to make Cersei a layered creation.
We were appalled and infuriated by some of her evil schemes. At the same time, we felt for her when she lost her children. We even felt bad for her when she was forced to walk naked through the city. However, more than anything, she was just exceptional at playing a power-hungry and destructive monster we loved to hate.
14. Charles Dance as Tywin Lannister
Though perhaps not the main villain of the series, Tywin Lannister was the most effective villain. He was the most powerful man in Westeros, and Charles Dance's performance ensured that the audience completely believed that. There was not a scene in which he appeared that he didn't totally command.
Dance was able to say so much with one steely glance. He was terrifying when he spoke in a calm whisper, as he was when he yelled threats. His cool and calm demeanor showcased a man who has lived his life being used to power. At the same time, Dance is able to show a glimmer of humanity in season 2 scenes with Arya Stark.
15. Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister
A fan-favorite character from the moment he appeared on screen, Peter Dinklage's performance as Tyrion Lannister was one of the things that cemented Game of Thrones' popularity early on. Another complex and fascinating character, Tyrion is an outsider who has lived a life devoid of love, but has remained strong and resilient as a way of punishing those who have wronged him.
Dinklage was hilarious in the role, delivering Tyrion's witty and unforgettable lines with great comedic timing. He was also heartbreaking in those moments when the injustice of the world weighed too heavily on him. Dinklage's standout moment on the series, Tyrion's fiery speech during his trial, is a defining moment on Game of Thrones and a towering achievement of his performance.
April marks the 15th anniversary of Game of Thrones, and we're ringing in the occasion with deep dives, think-pieces, retrospectives, quizzes to test your trivia knowledge and more all month long. Want more Westeros reading material to accompany your Thrones rewatch? Come along with us on the journey!