Which Game of Thrones characters have been recast, and was it the right move?
By Corey Smith
The Night King
Whether you call him by his show name (the Night King) or his book name (the Night’s King), the leader of the White Walkers is one terrifying-looking dude. He made his first appearance in season 4’s “Oathkeeper,” there portrayed by veteran actor Richard Brake. It was a memorable appearance, and the first time we got a hint of White Walker society: the Night King placed one of Craster’s on an alter while other White Walkers looked on, touched him, and turned his eyes ice blue.
Brake topped that turn in season 5’s “Hardhome,” where the Night King stood serenely above the fray as he observed the massacre of the wildlings. Brake’s Night King ended the episode by taunting Jon Snow from the shore, which became one of the most memed moments in Thrones history.
Brake then left the role to be replaced by stunt performer Vladimir Furdik, who first turned up in season 6’s “The Door.” And he didn’t just play the Night King as we know him, covered in prosthetics; Furdik also portrayed the Night King as he was before the Children of the Forest turned him into a White Walker.
Furdik went on to play the Night King in three episodes of season 7, his busiest yet, and is all but guaranteed to take the role to the finish line.
When it comes to a character like the Night King, success often comes down more to prosthetics and atmospherics than acting talent, although both Brake and Furdik have brought an icy implacability to the part. For our part, we prefer the Brake’s performance, Furdik is a little bit too human for us. Which actor do you like in the role?