Game of Thrones featured a massive ensemble cast over its eight seasons, with actors portraying iconic characters from George R.R. Martin's Westeros and Essos. The main cast evolved across seasons, blending newcomers and veterans into one of TV's most memorable lineups.

Core Stark Family

The Stark family anchored the Northern storyline, with early seasons spotlighting their downfall.

  • Sean Bean as Eddard "Ned" Stark : The honorable Lord of Winterfell, executed in Season 1.
  • Michelle Fairley as Catelyn Stark : Ned's fierce wife, pivotal until her Red Wedding fate.
  • Richard Madden as Robb Stark : The Young Wolf, a key leader in early wars.
  • Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark : Grew from naive girl to Queen in the North across all seasons.
  • Maisie Williams as Arya Stark : The assassin-in-training, main cast throughout.
  • Kit Harington as Jon Snow : Bastard-turned-King, in every season.
  • Isaac Hempstead Wright as Bran Stark : The Three-Eyed Raven by the finale.

Lannister Power Players

House Lannister's schemers dominated King's Landing politics.

  • Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister : Queen Regent to ruler, 63 episodes.
  • Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister : Kingslayer with a redemption arc, full run.
  • Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister : The witty Imp, Hand of the Queen, 68 episodes.
  • Charles Dance as Tywin Lannister : Ruthless patriarch, main from Season 2.

Targaryen & Allies

Daenerys' conquest drove the Eastern plots.

  • Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen : Mother of Dragons, main throughout.
  • Iain Glen as Jorah Mormont : Loyal exile by her side for all seasons.
  • Jason Momoa as Khal Drogo : Dothraki leader in Season 1.

Key Supporting Roles

These characters shaped alliances, betrayals, and battles.

  • Aidan Gillen as Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish : Master manipulator until Season 7.
  • Liam Cunningham as Davos Seaworth : Onion Knight from Season 2 onward.
  • Carice van Houten as Melisandre : Red Priestess influencing Stannis and Jon.
  • Gwendoline Christie as Brienne of Tarth : Honorable warrior from Season 3.
  • Rory McCann as Sandor "The Hound" Clegane : Cynical fighter across multiple arcs.

TL;DR : Iconic leads like Kit Harington (Jon Snow), Emilia Clarke (Daenerys), and Peter Dinklage (Tyrion) defined the series, with over 70 main/recurring actors. Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.