Maisie, Sophie & Kit: How the Game of Thrones Cast Got Their Roles—and Their Best Red Carpet Looks

Few shows have reshaped pop culture—and red carpet careers—like HBO’s Game of Thrones. While the fantasy drama launched global fan favorites, it also gave rise to some of Hollywood’s most-watched fashion icons.

Premiering in 2011, the fantasy epic steadily grew into a global phenomenon.

Sophie Turner, Maisie Williams, and Isaac Hempstead Wright—who portrayed the Stark siblings on Game of Thrones—grew up together both on-screen and off, becoming breakout stars from a young age (Credit: Roger Wong / INFphoto)

While the ensemble cast included established stars, many of Game of Thrones’ most iconic roles were filled by then-unknown young actors. Their breakout performances defined the show and launched major careers in Hollywood and fashion.

Casting Game of Thrones: The Search for Stars

When HBO began developing Game of Thrones in 2007, casting directors Nina Gold and Robert Sterne were tasked with finding fresh faces to carry the series.

While a few roles were earmarked for veterans like Peter Dinklage and Sean Bean, most of the cast were young, unknown actors selected for their raw potential and long-term fit.

Maisie Williams and Sophie Turner: Grew Up On Set and On Screen

One of the most significant challenges in casting Game of Thrones was finding the right actors to portray the Stark children, key characters who would play pivotal roles throughout the entire series.

The casting team selected 12-year-old Margaret Constance ‘Maisie’ Williams for Arya Stark, a fierce and determined 11-year-old who would face a life of hardship.

A young Maisie Williams poses with a sword in the woods during her early Game of Thrones audition days, foreshadowing her fierce portrayal of Arya Stark (Credit: HBO)

Surprisingly, Game of Thrones was Maisie Williams’ first professional acting role. Though she trained in musical theater and dance, she nearly skipped the audition for a school field trip—until her mother convinced her to go.

Like Maisie Williams, Sophie Turner also landed a career-defining role in her first gig, as Game of Thrones was the first television series of her career.

Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark sits in tense contemplation during a pivotal Game of Thrones scene, dressed in an intricately embroidered, high-neck gown that reflects her nobility and growing inner strength (Credit: HBO)

From a young age, Sophie Turner was actively involved in theater, where her talent quickly caught the attention of her teachers. Her drama teacher encouraged her to audition for the role of 13-year-old Sansa Stark.

Sophie Turner stunned at the 88th Academy Awards in a sustainable light grey Galvan x Opening Ceremony corset gown, pairing it with strappy silver Christian Louboutin “Gwynitta” sandals for an elegant and eco-conscious red carpet moment on February 28, 2016 (Credit: Aaron Poole / A.M.P.A.S.)

Fully committed to the part, Sophie dyed her hair red and impressed the casting directors, ultimately securing the significant role at just 14 years old.

Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark, Maisie Williams as Arya Stark, Isaac Hempstead-Wright as Bran Stark, Richard Madden as Robb Stark, Alfie Allen as Theon Greyjoy, Jamie Sives as Jory Cassel, and Donald Sumpter as Maester Luwin in “Winter Is Coming,” the series premiere of the HBO medieval fantasy television series Game of Thrones that aired on April 17, 2011 (Credit: HBO)

Kit Harington and Isaac Hempstead Wright: Early Roles and Rise to Fame

Although many assume Game of Thrones was an instant success, its original pilot was poorly received in private screenings, prompting major reshoots and cast changes. One of the few actors to keep his role, Kit Harington became a fan favorite as the brooding 16-year-old Jon Snow.

Kit Harington got his breakthrough role as Jon Snow in the HBO epic fantasy television series Game of Thrones (Credit: HBO)

Like Sophie Turner, Kit Harington came from a theater background, but Game of Thrones marked his television debut at age 24.

Meanwhile, Isaac Hempstead Wright—just 10 when cast as Bran Stark—initially took up acting to avoid playing sports in the cold. That small decision unexpectedly launched him into one of TV’s most iconic roles.

Young Bran Stark practices archery under the watchful eyes of Jon Snow and Robb Stark in this iconic early scene from Game of Thrones (Credit: HBO)

Isaac Hempstead Wright took up acting to avoid school sports, but by age 11, he was cast in one of the biggest shows on television. As Game of Thrones progressed, his role as Bran Stark grew more central, firmly establishing his place in the industry.

Emilia Clarke: The Breakout Recast That Defined Daenerys

Perhaps the most popular actress to achieve Game of Thrones stardom is Emilia Clarke, who gave a stunning and ferocious performance as Daenerys Targaryen.

Unlike most of her younger co-stars, Emilia had appeared in several shows and films before joining Game of Thrones and was even labeled as an upcoming starlet by tabloids in 2010.

Harry Lloyd as Viserys Targaryen and Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones (Credit: HBO)

At age 23, Emilia’s career was pushed to the next level when she was cast as 16-year-old Daenerys Targaryen.

However, Emilia was not the original choice for Daenerys; 23-year-old actress Tamzin Merchant initially portrayed the character in the poorly received pilot episode.

The role of Daenerys was initially met with criticism, prompting a recast that introduced Emilia Clarke. Like Arya, Bran, and Jon Snow, Daenerys became a central figure in the series, catapulting Clarke to global stardom.

Though Emilia Clarke stands at just 5’2″ (157.5 cm) and wears a US shoe size 6, she often turns to towering heels to elevate her petite frame, like the metallic Jimmy Choo platforms she wore with her shimmering custom Balmain gown at the 2019 Oscars.

Emilia Clarke added height at the 2019 Oscars with towering satin platform heels from Jimmy Choo, subtly peeking out beneath her custom lilac Balmain gown adorned with glimmering crystals and asymmetric pleating (Credit: Aaron Poole / A.M.P.A.S.)

Where Are the Game of Thrones Stars Now?

It’s been several years since Game of Thrones ended for good, but in the meantime, the show’s youngest stars have stayed busy with new projects.

Isaac Hempstead Wright has enjoyed modest success in various projects, while Maisie Williams, Sophie Turner, Emilia Clarke, and Kit Harington have skyrocketed to massive fame. Nearly all of these actors have taken on roles in other big-budget projects, further elevating their careers to even greater heights.

Despite playing sisters on Game of Thrones, Maisie Williams and Sophie Turner have a striking height difference in real life. Maisie stands at just 5 feet (152.4 cm), while Sophie towers over her at 5 feet 8¾ inches (174.6 cm). Off-screen, their contrasting statures often added visual intrigue to red carpet appearances, especially when Maisie embraced bold heels to level the playing field.

Maisie Williams, Kit Harington, Sophie Turner, and Isaac Hempstead Wright reunited in stylish eveningwear at the Game of Thrones Season 8 premiere in Belfast on April 12, 2019, with Maisie and Sophie showcasing their dramatically different heights in metallic sandals and a sleek white gown, respectively (Credit: Liam McBurney / PA Images / INSTARimages)

The superhero genre has been especially kind, with Maisie Williams and Sophie Turner appearing in films like The New Mutants and Dark Phoenix, respectively.

Most recently, Kit Harington became a supporting character in Eternals, part of the sprawling Marvel Cinematic Universe. Emilia Clarke has arguably had the best run, nabbing roles in massive films like Solo: A Star Wars Story, Terminator Genisys, and more.

One thing’s sure: Game of Thrones dramatically reshaped the careers of its young stars.

John Bradley, Maisie Williams, Lena Headey, Peter Dinklage, Isaac Hempstead Wright, Conleth Hill, Emilia Clarke, Iain Glen, Sophie Turner, Alfie Allen, Gwendoline Christie, Kit Harington, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Carice van Houten, Liam Cunningham, and Nathalie Emmanuel pose with awards for Outstanding Drama Series in the press room during the 71st Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 22, 2019, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: Sara De Boer / Startraksphoto)

Say what you will about the show’s controversial ending or its rampant displays of sex and violence. Still, the HBO franchise essentially birthed some of our generation’s most promising stars and starlets.

As the young stars of Game of Thrones grew into their roles and fame, their off-screen appearances began to capture just as much attention as their on-screen performances. One standout moment came when Maisie Williams made a memorable fashion statement at the 2015 Emmy Awards.

Maisie Williams Makes a Fashion Statement at the 2015 Emmys

In September 2015, Maisie Williams stepped up the style game at the 2015 Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Maisie Williams attends the 2015 Emmy Awards held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on September 20, 2015 (Credit: WENN / Brian To)

The then-18-year-old “Game of Thrones” actress looked adorable in a chic blush pink midi dress styled with a whimsical pair of furry sandals and a few pieces of Kwait jewelry.

Maisie Williams turned heads in a quilted blush pink midi dress with pockets, playfully styled with whimsical white ankle-strap heels trimmed in fluffy faux fur

The quilted frock paired with furry white heels struck a playful balance between elegance and edge—would you have styled it the same way?

Maisie Williams wears a fun pair of furry white statement heels on the red carpet (Credit: WENN / Brian To)

Although her exact bubblegum pink dress and white heels haven’t been identified, you can find a similar pair of stylish Jeffrey Campbell shoes at Nordstrom.

Jeffrey Campbell Cookie Faux Fur Heels, $140