“When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die.” And if you’re a fan of HBO’s iconic fantasy series, you know just how true that was! With characters dropping like flies, the show introduced an unforgettable cast over its eight-season run. Premiering in 2011, Game of Thrones redefined television with its gripping storytelling, breathtaking battles, and jaw-dropping betrayals.

Back then, many of its stars were either rising newcomers—like Emilia Clarke, Kit Harington, Sophie Turner, and Maisie Williams—or established actors who found even greater fame, including Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey, and Sean Bean.

Some, like Clarke and Harington, have kept the fantasy spirit alive with new projects, while Turner and Williams have explored bold, unconventional roles. Meanwhile, Dinklage continues to prove his versatility, and Headey has taken on exciting new challenges. Whether ruling new realms on-screen or making waves in Hollywood, the Game of Thrones alumni are far from fading into the background! So, let’s find out where they are now in 2025.

Ned Stark was the definition of honor and integrity in a world where those traits could get you killed—and they did. His execution in season one of the series set off a chain reaction that changed the course of Westeros forever. Though his time on the show was short, Sean Bean made sure Ned’s legacy lived on in every major event that followed.

Sean Bean was already a well-known actor before joining Game of Thrones, and his career has only continued to grow. One of his biggest post-Thrones successes was The Martian, and he’s had steady roles in both films and TV since then. Fans also saw him in the dystopian series Snowpiercer and the fantasy action film Knights of the Zodiac, though the latter didn’t perform well at the box office.

These days, Bean is stepping into the world of animation, lending his voice to the upcoming sci-fi film Rogue Trooper, set for release this year. With his signature deep voice and commanding presence, he’s still wowing audiences both in live-action or animation.

If there was anyone more sadistic than Joffrey Baratheon, it was Ramsay Bolton. Cruelty was second nature to him—he tortured Theon Greyjoy, manipulated Sansa Stark, and enjoyed every bit of pain he inflicted on others. But his reign of terror ended in the Battle of the Bastards when he was finally defeated and left to face poetic justice at the hands of his own hungry dogs.

After Game of Thrones, Iwan Rheon took on a major role in Marvel’s Inhumans, though the show didn’t last long. He’s been keeping busy with a variety of projects, mainly in British television. His latest role was in the Peacock series Those About to Die, which jumps into the gritty world of Roman gladiators. Given Rheon’s talent for playing intense characters, this series has been a perfect fit for him.

Joffrey Baratheon, played by Jack Gleeson, was one of the most despised characters in television history. From the moment he takes the Iron Throne, he makes it his mission to be as cruel as possible, tormenting Sansa, humiliating Tyrion, and making life miserable for everyone around him. His sudden death at his own wedding—thanks to some well-placed poison—was one of the most satisfying moments in the series.

In real life, though, Gleeson is a really nice guy! Unlike many of his co-stars, Jack Gleeson chose to step away from acting after Thrones, though not permanently. He made a quiet return to the screen in a few Irish theater productions before appearing in the 2023 Liam Neeson-led film In the Land of Sinners and Saints.

He also landed a role in the BBC series The Famous Five, bringing his talent back to television. Most recently, he took on a main role in the series Safe Harbor, where he plays a character named Farrell. While he may not be as active in Hollywood as some of his former castmates, it’s clear that when he does take on a project, he makes it count.

Jaime Lannister’s journey in Game of Thrones was a rollercoaster. He started as a ruthless warrior willing to push a child out of a tower, but over time, fans saw his humanity and complexity. Despite his redemption arc, he ultimately returns to Cersei, choosing love over everything else. His character’s ending may have been controversial, but Nikolaj Coster-Waldau delivered a performance that made Jaime one of the most compelling characters on the show.

Since leaving Westeros, Coster-Waldau has balanced Hollywood projects with work in his native Denmark. He starred alongside Jamie Foxx in the 2023 thriller God Is a Bullet and appeared in the Apple TV+ miniseries The Last Thing He Told Me. Most recently, he took on the role of William the Conqueror in the historical drama King and Conqueror, proving that he’s still drawn to powerful, larger-than-life characters.

Cersei Lannister was the ultimate power player, pulling strings behind the scenes and outmaneuvering her enemies at every turn. Whether fans loved her or hated her, there’s no denying that Lena Headey brought an unmatched intensity to the role. From plotting behind King Robert’s back to ruling Westeros in her own right, Cersei remained one of the most formidable characters up until her final moments.

Post-Thrones, Headey has kept busy with a mix of film and TV roles. She starred in action-packed movies like Gunpowder Milkshake and 9 Bullets and lent her voice to animated projects such as The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance and Masters of the Universe: Revelation. In 2023, she played a major role in the HBO miniseries White House Plumbers.

Looking ahead, she had several exciting projects lined up. She appeared in the 2024 thriller Svalta. She’s also made her return to TV with multiple roles—starring as Fiona Nolan in The Abandons, playing Nance Redfield in Ballistic, and voicing Thea in the animated sci-fi series New-Gen. Whether on screen or behind the mic, Headey continues to dominate the industry.

Robb Stark was one of the most promising leaders in Westeros—until politics and betrayal got the better of him at the infamous Red Wedding. Played by Scottish actor Richard Madden, Robb’s story ended in season three, but Madden’s career was only beginning.

Shortly after leaving Game of Thrones, Madden starred in the adventure miniseries Klondike (2014) and later portrayed Prince Charming in Disney’s Cinderella (2015). His career gained even more momentum when he played Elton John’s former manager in Rocketman and appeared in the World War I epic 1917. The actor also took a leading role in Bodyguard, a British thriller series that won him a Golden Globe.

Marvel fans know him as Ikaris from Eternals (2021), a role that introduced him to the superhero world. More recently, he starred in the 2023 spy thriller Citadel, and his latest project, Killer Heat, sees him in a gripping crime thriller where he takes on dual roles as twin brothers. Madden continues to shine in Hollywood, proving he’s far more than just the King in the North.

Clever, cunning, and never at a loss for words, Tyrion Lannister was one of Game of Thrones’ most beloved characters. Peter Dinklage brought the role to life with such brilliance that he earned four Emmy Awards and a permanent place in pop culture.

After Thrones, Dinklage didn’t slow down. In 2018, he joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Eitri, the dwarf king who helped forge Thor’s Stormbreaker in Avengers: Infinity War. He also took on unique projects like voicing characters in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts and starring in The Toxic Avenger reboot.

Dinklage was part of the 2023 Hunger Games prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, further solidifying his place in blockbuster films. His most recent appearance was in the hit musical film Wicked, where he lent his voice to Dr. Dillamond. From fantasy to action and even musicals, Dinklage has kept his career as dynamic as his on-screen performances.

“You know nothing, Jon Snow!” Well, the actor does know how to land roles in big productions. Jon Snow was the heart of Game of Thrones. From the icy terrains of the Wall to the fiery chaos of King’s Landing, his journey was nothing short of legendary. Played by Kit Harington, Jon evolved from an outcast to one of the most crucial players in the game for the throne.

Post-Thrones, Harington ventured into the Marvel Universe, starring as Dane Whitman in Eternals (2021). He also appeared in anthology series like Modern Love and climate change drama Extrapolations. But for those missing their favorite brooding swordsman, there’s good news—Harington has been working on a Game of Thrones spinoff focused on Jon Snow’s life after being exiled to the Night’s Watch. While details are still under wraps, fans are eagerly waiting for more news.

On the small screen, he recently joined Industry Season 3 as Henry Muck and starred in Lot No. 249, a horror short that thrilled audiences. With more films on the horizon, including Eternal Return, Kit Harington’s journey beyond Westeros is just getting started.

From an innocent boy climbing Winterfell’s towers to becoming the all-seeing, all-knowing Three-Eyed Raven, Bran Stark had one of the most unique character arcs in Game of Thrones. By the end of the series, he is crowned King of Westeros, solidifying his unexpected rise to power.

Isaac Hempstead Wright, who portrayed Bran, was just 11 when he joined the series. Unlike some of his co-stars, he chose a different path post-GoT—returning to school to study neuroscience. Though he hasn’t been as active in Hollywood, he did make a brief return to acting in the 2021 sci-fi film Voyagers.

Before Thrones, he was known for his roles in The Awakening (2011) and Closed Circuit (2013), as well as voicing the main character in the animated film The Boxtrolls (2014). Whether he’ll return to acting full-time remains uncertain, but for now, it seems he’s enjoying a life away from the spotlight, focused on academic pursuits and personal growth.

Few characters in television history have had as powerful a transformation as Daenerys Targaryen. From an exiled princess to a ruthless conqueror, her story was filled with victories and heartbreaks. She became the mother of Dragons. Emilia Clarke embodied the character flawlessly, earning four Emmy nominations along the way.

Clarke has since moved on to exciting new projects. She made her Star Wars debut as Qi’ra in Solo: A Star Wars Story and later joined the Marvel Universe as G’iah in Secret Invasion. She also produced and starred in the sci-fi romantic comedy The Pod Generation in 2023.

What’s next for Clarke? She’s set to play Irish writer Constance Lloyd in An Ideal Wife and fashion icon Daphne Guinness in The Queen of Fashion. While her days as the Mother of Dragons are over, she continues to bring powerful women to life on screen, proving she’s a force to be reckoned with in the industry.

Sansa Stark’s journey in Game of Thrones was nothing short of incredible. She started off as a naive young girl dreaming of being a queen, only to face betrayal, manipulation, and immense hardship. But by the end of the series, she had taken charge of her destiny and was crowned Queen in the North.

For Sophie Turner, playing Sansa was a career-defining role, and while she hasn’t yet landed a project as big as Game of Thrones, she has been steadily working in the industry. She took on the role of Jean Grey in the X-Men franchise, appearing in X-Men: Apocalypse (2016) and Dark Phoenix (2019), though the latter didn’t quite make the impact fans had hoped for. Still, Turner continued to explore different roles and challenge herself.

In 2022, she played Margaret Ratliff in the miniseries The Staircase, which dramatized the real-life case of Michael Peterson, a crime novelist accused of murdering his wife. Then, in 2024, she starred as Joan Hannington, a notorious jewel thief, in the British series Joan. The show gave Turner a chance to showcase a different side of her acting skills, stepping into the shoes of a cunning and charismatic criminal mastermind.

Now, in 2025, Sophie Turner is still keeping busy with various projects while also navigating her personal life. While she may not have had another blockbuster franchise moment yet, her career is far from slowing down. Fans are eagerly watching to see what she’ll take on next.

Arya Stark was one of Game of Thrones’ most beloved characters. From an adventurous young girl who rejected traditional expectations to a fierce assassin who took down the Night King, Arya’s journey was filled with danger, growth, and unforgettable moments. It was the role that made Maisie Williams a star, and for good reason—she delivered an unforgettable performance across all eight seasons.

For Williams, Game of Thrones was her first professional acting job—an incredible achievement, considering how well she brought Arya to life. Since the show ended, she has taken on a variety of roles in film and television, showing off her versatility as an actress.

She appeared in the 2020 superhero horror film The New Mutants, the final entry in Fox’s X-Men series. Unfortunately, due to multiple delays and mixed reviews, the film didn’t perform well at the box office. However, Williams continued to explore different genres. She starred in the British dark comedy series Two Weeks to Live and later played punk icon Jordan Mooney in the 2022 miniseries Pistol, which told the story of the rise of the Sex Pistols.

Currently, Williams is set to appear as Catherine Dior, the sister of legendary fashion designer Christian Dior, in the Apple TV+ series The New Look. The series explores the world of high fashion during and after World War II, offering Williams yet another unique role to sink her teeth into. She’s also been cast in an upcoming film titled Sinner V. Saints, though details about her role are still under wraps. Most recently, she was seen in the movie Press Your Luck.

While she may not be wielding a sword as Arya Stark anymore, Maisie Williams continues to carve out an impressive career for herself. With each new role, she proves that she’s much more than just one character, and fans are excited to see where her journey takes her next.