Winter is Coming
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Which Game of Thrones characters have been recast, and was it the right move?

By Corey Smith

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Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen
Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen /

Daenerys Targaryen

As with Catelyn Stark, some Game of Thrones fans may not know that Daenerys Targaryen was ever played by anyone other than Emilia Clarke. But in the original, unaired pilot, the Mother of Dragons was played by English actress Tamzin Merchant who, like Ehle, is also known for her role in an adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. No official reason for her departure was given by HBO, and George R.R. Martin praised her performance in the pilot when announcing Clarke as her replacement.

WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 18: Actress Tamzin Merchant speaks onstage during Global Citizen 2015 Earth Day on National Mall to end extreme poverty and solve climate change on April 18, 2015 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Richard Chapin Downs Jr./Getty Images for Global Citizen)
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 18: Actress Tamzin Merchant speaks onstage during Global Citizen 2015 Earth Day on National Mall to end extreme poverty and solve climate change on April 18, 2015 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Richard Chapin Downs Jr./Getty Images for Global Citizen) /

Clarke took the role and ran with it, making Daenerys (and her titles) a household name. In the process, becoming a burgeoning Hollywod star, most recently landing a role in Solo: A Star Wars Story. Not bad for a replacement.

Catelyn Stark and Daenerys Targaryen were not the only roles recast from the original pilot. Roger Allam replaced Ian McNeice as Illyrio Mopatis, Dermot Keaney took over the role of Gared from Richard Ridings, and Rob Ostlere filled the role of Ser Waymar Royce, replacing Jamie Campbell Bower. The show shed quite a few people in that reshoot.

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