Game of Thrones is arguably the biggest TV series ever.
Since it hit our screens in 2011 it has become a resounding success and due to the numerous Irish filming locations used throughout the seasons it has become closely linked to the Emerald Isle.
Whilst most fans know about the locations used, some might not be aware of just how many Irish actors and actresses feature in Westeros and beyond.
We collected together the famous motley crew so now you know!
Michelle Fairley, a native of Coleraine, might be best known for her portrayal of the fiercely protective and maternal Catelyn Stark, but she’s had a long and storied career in film and TV well before her time in Westeros.
During her formative years Fairley learned her trade in the Ulster Youth Theatre in Belfast before going on to star in the likes of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, 24: Live Another Day, Suits and Fortitude!
Don’t be fooled by Cunningham’s northern English brogue in Game of Thrones for he’s a Dublin man through and through.
Besides his work as Ser Davos, Cunningham has had an incredible career appearing in critically acclaimed productions like The Wind That Shakes the Barley, Hunger, Harry Brown, The Guard, War Horse and Good Vibrations!
Ciaran Hinds, famous for his time as the gruff, aggressive Mance Rayder, leader of the Wildlings, hails from Belfast in County Antrim and is a product of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in Dublin.
Over the last four decades Hinds has appeared both on stage and behind the screen in The Phantom of the Opera, Munich, There Will Be Blood, Hostages, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy alongside countless other productions
Say what you will about Littlefinger, but you could never take your eyes off of him.
Love him or hate him, Lord Petyr Baelish was a captivating watch and that was down to the obvious talents of Dublin man Aiden Gillen who has entertained audiences in a list of other seminal productions over the years including The Wire, Queer as Folk, Love/Hate, The Dark Knight Rises, Calvary and Sing Street.
Richard Dormer, otherwise known as Berric Dondarrion, the man who can’t be killed in Game of Thrones, was born and raised in Lisburn, County Antrim, and alongside Hinds is another RADA graduate.
Dormer, the owner of a classic gravel-soaked voice (have a listen if you haven’t before), is probably just as famous in Ireland for his portrayal of Terri Hooley, a local music legend, in Good Vibrations in 2012.
Ian McElhinney is another Belfast boy done good. Over the last four decades McElhinney has starred in too many TV shows and films to mention but highlights include Michael Collins, Queer as Folk, Borstal Boy, Cold Feet, The Fall and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story!
Conleth Hill, known best for his depiction of the scheming Lord Varys, hails from Ballycastle, County Antrim, along the famous Causeway Coastal Route.
Hill has spent the last three decades mixing TV, film and radio work and, perhaps surprisingly to Game of Thrones’ fans, retains a full head of hair throughout the rest of the year
On a scale of 1 to 10 just how much did you loathe King Joffrey Baratheon?
For the 99% the answer is a resounding 10 and that is testament to the acting skills of Cork native Jack Gleeson.
Despite a fledgling career full of talent and future stardom Gleeson decided to retire from acting in 2014 and turn his back on live in public. He now runs his own touring theatre company!
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