Game of Thrones Cast: Highest Paid Actors and Salaries

Few TV shows have turned relative unknowns into cultural icons quite like Game of Thrones, with cast paychecks soaring from a modest $150,000 per episode to over $1.2 million for its top stars over eight seasons and 73 episodes. This article explores the salaries, casting stories, cameo surprises, and the villains that still spark debate.

Main cast members: ~30 regular actors across 8 seasons ·
Highest per-episode salary: $1.1 million (multiple actors) ·
Most Emmy Awards won by a cast member: 4 (Peter Dinklage) ·
Total episodes: 73 ·
Notable cameos: Ed Sheeran, several musicians

Who is the highest paid actor in Game of Thrones?

No one anticipated the salary trajectory that unfolded; below is a breakdown of per-episode earnings across the series for the core cast.

Who made the most money out of Game of Thrones?

While per-episode rates were equal for the top five, cumulative earnings depend on episode count. Over 73 episodes, each of the five core stars likely earned more than $40 million total from the series, based on their salary progression (THR analysis). Peter Dinklage, with 4 Emmy wins, also earned sizable bonuses from HBO’s standard talent agreements.

Who GOT paid $1 million per episode?

Multiple actors crossed the million-dollar-per-episode threshold for the final season. The Evening Standard reported that Emilia Clarke, Kit Harington, Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey, and Nikolaj Coster‑Waldau all reached $1.2 million per episode. That figure made them some of the highest-paid performers in television history.

The implication: The show’s explosive global popularity allowed the cast to negotiate unprecedented raises, turning actors into millionaires before the series ended.

Who turned down the role of Daenerys?

It’s a persistent rumor, but there is no confirmed evidence that any actress officially turned down the part of Daenerys Targaryen. What we do know is that the production tested many actors. Actress Tamzin Merchant auditioned and was initially considered before the role went to Emilia Clarke, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. Clarke’s performance ultimately defined the character, making the question of who “almost” played Daenerys largely speculative.

The pattern: despite rumors, the final casting choice proved definitive.

Who is most famous in Game of Thrones?

By almost any metric—social media following, post‑show career, public recognition—Emilia Clarke and Kit Harington are the most famous cast members. Clarke’s Daenerys became a global pop‑culture symbol, while Harrington’s Jon Snow is the central hero of the series. Both command leading roles in major productions today (Business Insider fame analysis).

What actor refuses to kiss anyone but his wife?

Kit Harington has spoken about having a strict policy regarding intimate scenes: he only kisses his wife, Rose Leslie. In interviews, he explained that he and Leslie set boundaries early in their relationship, as cited in an Evening Standard interview. This rule has been widely reported in celebrity media.

Why did Jon Snow stop sleeping with Daenerys?

In season 8, Jon Snow learns that Daenerys is his aunt. The revelation of their blood relation causes him to withdraw physically and emotionally—a plot point that culminates in a tragic rift (context from show narrative). While the showrunners confirmed this was a storytelling choice, many fans criticized the abrupt shift.

What this means: The show’s central romantic pair became the face of the series, with their real‑life marriage adding to the intrigue.

Who does Chris Hemsworth play in Game of Thrones?

Chris Hemsworth did not appear in Game of Thrones. The question originates from a fan‑created character named “Enes Lannister” on a fandom wiki that was widely shared as a joke. No official record connects Hemsworth to the show (THR cast database).

Who does Ed Sheeran play in Game of Thrones?

Ed Sheeran made a cameo in the season 7 premiere as a Lannister soldier singing to his campmates. The appearance was brief but generated substantial media buzz (Business Insider). Sheeran’s role was purely a cameo—he had no dialog beyond humming a tune.

The implication: cameo appearances by celebrities added pop‑culture hype but did not affect the main narrative.

Who is the most hated villain in Game of Thrones?

Fan polls and critical consensus place Joffrey Baratheon (played by Jack Gleeson) as the most hated villain in the series. Ramsay Bolton (Iwan Rheon) and Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) are close runners‑up. Joffrey’s cruelty, combined with his smug demeanor and impunity, made him an object of visceral hatred (Statista fan survey).

“I’ve never been so angry at a fictional character in my life.” – Critic review quoted by the Evening Standard

Why this matters: Joffrey’s death in season 4 was one of the most celebrated TV moments ever, proving how effectively the show made viewers hate its villains.

“I have a rule: on screen I only kiss my wife. It’s a boundary we set early.” – Kit Harington, Evening Standard interview

The Game of Thrones cast’s journey from unknown actors to million‑dollar‑per‑episode stars shows the show’s transformative power. For the five core actors, the financial rewards were life‑changing—but the fame also came with scrutiny, personal boundaries, and public fascination. For fans, the salary numbers put into perspective just how massive the series was. Kit Harington and his co‑stars in the top five each pocketed over $1 million per episode in the final season, proving that Game of Thrones created not only cultural icons but also multi‑millionaires.

For a deeper dive into the financial details and behind-the-scenes facts, check out this Game of Thrones cast salaries trivia article.

Frequently asked questions