Game of Thrones is one of the most well-cast TV shows ever made, and several of its star actors auditioned for other characters initially. The HBO series, based on George R.R Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire novels, had one of the biggest television ensemble casts ever put together, seemingly finding the perfect performer to bring each role to life. Particularly earlier in the series, many actors who auditioned impressed the casting team enough to earn them different characters besides those they’d auditioned for.

When auditioning for most shows, missing out on a leading role is a more significant disappointment than it would be for Game of Thrones, which excelled at having well-constructed, complex minor characters. In Martin’s world, almost every character is distinctive and memorable, and some of those who missed out on the roles they initially auditioned for wound up with equally, if not more, prominent options. Luckily, the series ended up with the cast it did, though it’s still fun to imagine what certain actors would’ve looked like as different characters.

9Iwan Rheon

Auditioned for Jon Snow before playing Ramsay Bolton.

One of the most ironic almost-castings in Game of Thrones is Ramsay Bolton actor Iwan Rheon auditioning for Jon Snow, given that the two would become vicious rivals in season 6. Rheon was praised for his performance as the cruel Ramsay, regarded as one of the best TV villains ever. He played the despicable character with such excellence that it’s impossible to imagine him as the honorable, heroic Jon Snow. Talking with Interview Magazine, Rheon spoke about the casting process, saying, “I think they made the right choice; it would’ve been a very different Jon Snow if I’d played him.”

8Alfie Allen

Auditioned for Jon Snow before playing Theon Greyjoy.

Another actor who nearly played Jon Snow was Alfie Allen, who terrifically played Theon Greyjoy in all eight seasons of Game of Thrones. Like Iwan Rheon, Alfie Allen’s performance as the troubled Stark ward makes him hard to imagine as Jon Snow, who resembles the classic fantasy hero archetype more than anyone else in the show. In the season 5 Blu-ray commentary, showrunner David Benioff discussed Allen’s audition, explaining, “And we thought, well, he’s great … he’s not quite Jon Snow.” They certainly had the right instinct, as Alfie Allen ended up perfect for Theon, doing unbelievable work, particularly in seasons 3 and 4.

7Joe Demspie

Auditioned for Jon Snow before playing Gendry.

Joe Dempsie was yet another actor who almost played Jon Snow. While not quite right for Jon, the young actor did well enough to earn the role of Robert Baratheon’s bastard, Gendry, who played an on-and-off role in the series throughout all eight seasons. Dempsie is easier to picture than Alfie Allen or Iwan Rheon as Jon Snow, given the similarities their characters possess later in the series. While initially abrasive, Gendry returns in season 7 to help defend the realm against the White Walkers, even being legitimized as a Baratheon. It also can’t be understated how exceptional Kit Harington was as Jon Snow, making it hard to picture anyone else in the role.

6Carice Van Houten

Auditioned for Cersei Lannister before playing Melisandre.

Carice Van Houten joined the Game of Thrones cast in season 2, playing the Red Priestess Melisandre. When casting the pilot, Van Houten was offered the Cersei Lannister role but declined due to scheduling conflicts. Gillian Anderson was also offered the same part. Luckily, Lena Headey ended up as Cersei, becoming one of the most hateable female TV villains ever. Carice Van Houten also excelled as Melisandre, bringing an enigmatic, nuanced performance to one of the show’s most mystical characters.

5Natalie Dormer

Auditioned for Melisandre before playing Margaery Tyrell.

Natalie Dormer is fantastic in Game of Thrones seasons 2-6 as Margaery Tyrell, a queen to three different kings throughout the series. In James Hibberd’s book Fire Cannot Kill A Dragon: Game of Thrones and the Official Untold Story of the Epic Series, Natalie Dormer revealed that she initially auditioned for Melisandre during the casting for season 2. Dormer praised her co-star, saying, “You look back and realize Melisandre couldn’t have been anyone else, Carice [van Houten] did an amazing job.” Melisandre seems like a role Dormer would’ve been capable of playing, but she’s right in thinking Carice Van Houten was perfect for the job.

4Conan Stevens

Auditioned for Khal Drogo before playing the Mountain.

The Mountain’s role was re-cast twice in Game of Thrones, and Conan Stevens was the actor who played him in season 1. Before earning the part of Ser Gregor Clegane for two episodes, Conan Stevens was originally in the running for Khal Drogo. The role eventually went to Jason Momoa, and it’s nearly impossible to imagine anyone else playing the character. Momoa brought an intensity and physicality to Drogo that few actors could rival, and Conan Stevens, standing at 7-foot-tall, was a far better fit for the Mountain.

3Liam Cunningham

Auditioned for an unrevealed role before playing Davos Seaworth.

Along with Carice Van Houten, Liam Cunningham joined the cast of Game of Thrones for season 2, playing one of the most likable characters in the whole series. He’s fantastic as Davos Seaworth, bringing a chummy quality and a sly sense of humor that Cunningham brings so authentically. Speaking to GQ, the actor revealed that Davos wasn’t the first role he auditioned for, having tried out for a character in season 1: “They said the old thing: ‘We’re going to go another way. But: We’ve got more characters coming in Season Two, and we want to see you.'” HBO stayed true to their word.

2Conleth Hill

Auditioned for Robert Baratheon before playing Varys.

Possibly the most lucrative rejection in the Game of Thrones casting process was for Conleth Hill, who missed out on the role of King Robert Baratheon to be offered Varys. Despite not getting the part he initially sought, which would’ve seen him die after six episodes, Conleth Hill instead found himself employed for eight seasons of the series. The role of Robert Baratheon ultimately went to Mark Addy, who was iconic and memorable in his limited time, and Conleth Hill exceeded as the conniving Varys. The sheer difference between the two characters makes it hard to imagine Conleth Hill delivering Robert Baratheon’s best quotes.

1Eugene Simon

Auditioned for Joffrey Baratheon before playing Lancel Lannister.

The role of Joffrey Baratheon was famously played by Jack Gleeson in Game of Thrones, becoming arguably the most despised character in television history. Another actor, Eugene Simon, possibly dodged an onslaught of oncoming hatred by missing out on the role, though winding up as Lancel Lannister wasn’t much better. Simon is perfect for the whimpering Lannister cousin, as a love interest to Cersei in the early seasons, and as one of the Sparrows in seasons 5 and 6.