
It's pretty safe to say fans are going to be shook for a while.
As the series continues to wrap up and we say goodbye to our faves (tear), it's crazy to think back to the 2011 premiere as some of the main characters were just kids. Maisie Williams, Sophie Turner, and Isaac Hempstead-Wright were just a few of the young stars that grew up on the show, right before our eyes. Other stars like Emilia Clarke and Kit Harrington were virtually unknown, especially to American audiences. But now are household names!
These actors have been launched into stardom, but they all say the same thing: They've developed deep friendships with their castmates and even consider each other to be like family. (Sophie and Maisie even have matching tattoos!) Game of Thrones has made such an impact on society that it's easy to understand why members of this cast are so close.
As we prepare ourselves to say goodbye to the iconic show, let's take a look back at the last seven years. Here's a look at 15 Game of Thrones stars then and now.
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Bran Stark: Then
1Seven years ago, Isaac Hempstead-Wright was a 12-year-old boy and had no idea how his life was about to change. His character, Bran Stark, gets pushed from a window and winds up in a coma in the first season. Bran later develops the ability to see the past, present, and future through visions as the Three-Eyed Raven.
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Bran Stark: Now
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Daenerys Targaryen: Then
3Emilia Clarke broke onto the scene as Princess Daenerys Targaryen. She was married off to Dothraki warlord Khal Drogo (Jason Momoa), thanks to her horrible brother. After a dramatic first season, Daenerys emerged as the Mother of Dragons, inspiring a million memes and catchphrases.
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Daenerys Targaryen: Now
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Jon Snow: Then
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Jon Stark: Now
6Harrington married GoT costar Rose Leslie, so he not only got a successful career out of the show, but the love of his life, too. For Kit, the show is his literal everything. "It gave me my future family and my life from here on in," the star once confessed. "That's the main thing it did for me, and it's changed it completely."
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Arya Stark: Then
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Arya Stark: Now
8Now 21, Maisie is excited to see what post-GOT life has in store for her. "I think it's quite exciting that the show's coming to an end," she told Time. "I think it's a time to look quite positively at the future and really try to shape my career without being tied to anything." As for future non-acting plans, she will serve as castmate, Sophie Turner's, maid of honor in her upcoming wedding to Joe Jonas.
But for now, we're loving Arya Stark and all the twists she's bringing to the show. (Word of advice: Don't mess with her.)
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Sansa Stark: Then
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Sansa Stark: Now
10Over the course of the series, Sansa really comes into to her power -- which is quite satisfying to see. As for Turner, she credits her time on GoT for giving her friendships that will last forever. "I feel like I have the world's biggest family," she told People.
"When you're in the public eye, for every one positive comment, you get ten negative. So that's a definitely been tricky to deal with … but the support system has been the greatest thing for me."
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Tyrion Lannister: Then
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Tyrion Lannister: Now
12While Dinklage was a prolific actor before appearing on GoT, it was his role as Tyrion Lannister that landed him seven Emmy nominations and three wins. He described his last day on set as emotional and bittersweet to Vulture: "But as anticlimactic as it was, my last day was also beautifully bittersweet. A lot of people whom I love were on set that day. Even if they weren’t working, they came to set, which was beautiful." Aww. -
Joffrey Baratheon: Then
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Joffrey Baratheon: Now
14King Joffrey had a very ... dramatic exit during the fourth season of Game of Thrones -- at his own wedding to boot! The scene as quite shocking and set in motion the fates of many of the other main characters. After four seasons on the show, Jack Gleeson announced he would no longer be acting. "I've been acting since age 8. I just stopped enjoying it as much as I used to," he told Entertainment Weekly.
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Brienne of Tarth: Then
15Gwendoline Christie's character, Brienne of Tarth, first appeared on Game of Thrones in season two. She quickly became a fan favorite as the only female in the Kingsguard. She protected various Stark children throughout the series and is known for being fiercely loyal and incredibly tough.
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Brienne of Tarth: Now
16GoT fans were elated when Jaime Lannister knighted Brienne of Tarth this season. As for Christie, she is ready to get started on a new role and hang up her armor. "Now it's the last season, I don't need to worry about being employed for another year with a company," she said during an appearance on Good Morning America. "I am open to offers."
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Jaime Lannister: Then
17Nikolaj Coster-Waldau got off to an explosive start during the first season of Game of Thrones. (Sick spoiler: He has romantic relations -- and kids -- with his twin sister, Cersei.) He is also the one responsible for Bran's injury. Prior to GoT, Coster-Waldau had roles in Black Hawk Down and Wimbledon.
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Jaime Lannister: Now
18In a twist of events, Jaime Lannister has changed his evil ways, teaming up with the Starks and Targaryens, which puts him at odds with his sister (and mother of his children), Cersei. We love the relationship he's developed with Brienne (platonic) and love seeing these two in action.
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Cersei Lannister: Then
19Lena Heady is quite the accomplished actress and took on the role of Cersei Lannister shortly after giving birth to her first child. She spoke to Porter Magazine about the dramatic toll it took on her. "I was postnatally depressed but I didn't know it .... I saw a great guy and he sorted me out, but I did the first year on Game of Thrones in that space, figuring out motherhood and going through a weird time personally. It was tricky."
Wow.
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Cersei Lannister: Now
20Playing one of the most sinister characters on television doesn't faze Headey. In fact, she rather enjoys it. When asked about Cersei's best moment she said, "I think the highlight was last season when she blew up the Great Sept of Baelor, then just enjoyed her wine."
Cold as ice, Cersei. Cold as ice.
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Ser Davos Seaworth: Then
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Ser Davos Seaworth: Now
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Petyr 'Littlefinger' Baelish: Then
23Aiden Gillen played Petyr Baelish or "Littlefinger" on the show for six seasons. He's in love with Catelyn Stark, Ned Stark's wife, and when she dies, he sets his sights on her daughter, Sansa ... because that's not creepy at all. Prior to GoT, Gillen was known for his role as Mayor Thomas Carcetti on The Wire.
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Petyr 'Littlefinger' Baelish: Now
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Missandei: Before
25Nathalie Emmanuel plays Missandei, a former slave who was an interpreter to Kraznys mo Nakloz of Astapor before Daenerys Targaryen freed her. She forms a relationship with Grey Worm, commander of the Unsullied, an army of elite warrior-eunuchs, and is one of Daenerys's trusted advisors.
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Missandei: Now
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Samwell Tarly: Then
27John Bradley is best known for playing Samwell Tarly on Games of Thrones and got the part shortly after graduating from acting school. (Not bad!) His character is good friends with Jon Snow while on the Night's Watch and plays a pivotal role in helping the "bastard" Stark learn his true identity.
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Samwell Tarly: Now
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Theon Greyjoy: Then
29Before landing the part of Theon Greyjoy, Alfie Allen auditioned for the part of Jon Snow. As Prince Theon Greyjoy, son and heir of Lord Balon Greyjoy of the Iron Islands, he was taken hostage in Winterfell after his dad's failed rebellion against the Iron Throne. He pledges his allegiance to the Starks, only to betray his word in an attempt to invade the North. He gets captured, is forced to serve Ramsay Snow as "Reek," loses his male member, but helps Sansa flee her new husband Ramsay before Jon shows up with a vengeance.
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Theon Greyjoy: Now
30Though Allen's journey on GoT took him all over the place, his character realigned himself with the Starks, vowing to defend Bran in the Battle of Winterfell against the Night King and his legion. Allen has kept busy outside of Game of Thrones, starring in John Wick alongside Keanu Reeves and has upcoming projects that include How to Build a Girl with Emma Thompson, and Jojo Rabbit with Scarlett Johansson and Sam Rockwell.