Since Game of Thrones ended, many fans have been keeping up with the talented cast they'd been following for eight seasons. Several actors from the series have gone onto appear in similar shows, while others have transitioned into film careers. Jonathan Pryce, a.k.a. the High Sparrow, even earned an Oscar nomination for his work in The Two Popes after leaving the show.
Currently, two different Game of Thrones stars make a splash in an unlikely major motion picture—The Sheep Detectives. Although this funny, kid-friendly flick feels like a far cry from Thrones, A Song of Ice and Fire fans will recognize a familiar face (and a familiar voice) on the big screen.
Conleth Hill, a.k.a. Lord Varys
Northern Irish actor Conleth Hill is known for his work in Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, Whatever Works, and for earning a Tony nomination for his portrayal of Charlie in the play Stones in his Pockets. However, Game of Thrones fans will recognize Hill for his take on the iconic Lord Varys.
Hill rips his Varys straight from George R.R. Martin's pages. He makes it obvious that Varys is one of the strongest players of the titular game, always having something up his sleeve, though it's never clear what. Varys appears in every season of Game of Thrones, and Hill chews up his scenery throughout all eight entries.
Hill hams it up in The Sheep Detectives
Hill's newest movie, The Sheep Detectives, is currently in theaters. The whodunnit comedy, based on the book Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann, follows the murder of Shepherd George Hardy (Hugh Jackman), a kindly, sheep-loving man who reads his flock a murder mystery every night.
When his case falls into the clumsy hands of the local police officer Tim Derry (Nicholas Braunn), Geoirge's flock takes it upon themselves to solve the case. Led by Lily (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), the smartest sheep around, Mopple (Chris O'Dowd), the only sheep who can't forget anything, and Sebastian (Bryan Cranston), the literal black sheep of the flock, these unlikely detectives soon discover that their own fate is tied to this mystery.
Hill portrays Ham Gilyard, a local butcher. Ham and George develop a rivalry due to George's animal-loving ways clashing with Ham's profession. When George is killed, Ham quickly becomes a suspect in the murder, along with several other townspeople. Could Ham be the culprit? And what is he hiding?
Hill once again delivers a fantastic performance, playing into the film's comedy brilliantly. He captures Ham's tough demeanor, hilariously playing up the butcher's beef with vegetarian's, and instantly makes the character affably unlikeable. Though Ham and Varys don't have much in common on paper, Hill is able to bring both to life to perfection.
But wait, there's more(mont)
While Hill might serve as a familiar face for Game of Thrones fans in The Sheep Detectives, he isn't the only actor from the show to make an appearance. Although they don't appear on screen, Bella Ramsey voices Zora the sheep.
Since their breakout role as Lyanna Mormont on Game of Thrones, Ramsey has become synonymous with another HBO series, The Last of Us. Along with their fellow Thrones alum Pedro Pascal (Oberyn Martell), Ramsey leads the video game adaptation, taking on the role of Ellie Williams. Ramsey has earned both Emmy and Golden Globe award nominations for their work on The Last of Us.
Ramsey re-teams with The Last of Us creator Craig Mazin for The Sheep Detectives. Their take on Zora, one of the younger sheep in the flock, is very different from the no-nonsense, tough-as-nails Lady Mormont. She is equal parts excitable and adorable, and quick to shy away from hard situations. Through her role as Zora, Ramsey flexes their range, showcasing their ability both to portray battle-ready younger characters, like Ellie and Lyanna, and Zora, the literal softest character in the film.
While Hill and Ramsey don't share any scenes in The Sheep Detectives, and their characters don't have much to do with each other in Game of Thrones, it's still fun to see two actors from the iconic series in a film together seven years later.
The Sheep Detectives introduces younger audiences to the talents of Hill and Ramsey, while fondly reminding older audience members of Varys and Lyanna. Plus, two Game of Thrones actors in the same film so far out from the series finale emphasizes the size of the show's cast, and how all-consuming it became.
For more from the world of Westeros, make sure to stream House of the Dragon and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms on HBO Max. Meanwhile, The Sheep Detectives is currently playing in theaters.
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