You Won’t Believe Who Almost Played Catelyn Stark in Game of Thrones

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A significant factor behind its tremendous success was its exceptional ensemble cast. Many of these performers were relatively unknown, catapulting into stardom following the immediate popularity of the series. Notable examples include Emilia Clarke, Kit Harington, and Sophie Turner who later starred in blockbuster franchises such as Terminator and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Prior to the show’s debut, actors like Sean Bean, Charles Dance, and Peter Dinklage had already made names for themselves within the acting world.

Among the houses of Westeros, House Stark, the noble family governing the North, was arguably the most cherished by fans. The actors portraying each Stark family member became indistinguishable from their characters, with Sean Bean embodying Ned Stark and Michelle Fairley being most recognized for her portrayal of Catelyn Stark. Interestingly, Michelle Fairley almost missed the opportunity to portray Catelyn Stark; another actress was initially slated to play the role of the Stark matriarch before her.

Game of Thrones Had a Rocky Start & The Pilot Episode Was to Blame

The Game of Thrones Original Pilot Had a Massive Problem

When HBO approved Dan Weiss and David Benioff’s Game of Thrones project, they filmed the pilot episode from October to November 2009 at an estimated cost of $10 million. After sharing it with friends like screenwriter Craig Mazin for feedback, they were met with unexpected criticism. Mazin simply wrote “MASSIVE PROBLEM” on a note, indicating that the character connections and overall storyline were difficult for the small test audience to follow and understand.

Several problems with the story and character interactions were traced back to the original script, which underwent a major overhaul to streamline the narrative and the relationships between characters. During the reshoot, it wasn’t just the script that was revised; several roles were recast as well. Notably, Tamzin Merchant, who played Daenerys in the controversial pilot episode, was replaced by Emilia Clarke. The producers found that Merchant’s portrayal of the character fell short, and she also lacked chemistry with her co-star, Jason Momoa.

A novice, unlike the book character of Daenerys, had a slightly different appearance, but managed to win over the filmmakers with her appeal and an energetic “Funky Chicken” dance. Jennifer Ehle, initially cast as Catelyn, was subsequently replaced by Michelle Fairley. Ehle chose to leave not due to her acting skills, but because it was a personal decision made by the actress herself.

Ehle adored George R.R. Martin’s books, yet with a seven-month-old baby at home, she felt it was essential to spend time with her daughter to foster their bond. Since she wasn’t emotionally prepared to return to work, this led to her decision to depart from the show. Producers noticed Michelle Fairley’s outstanding stage performance as Lady Macbeth, resulting in her being cast for the series. Although Fairley was not a well-known actress before Game of Thrones, she had consistently worked on both stage and television since making her debut in 1987.

Catelyn Stark in the Original Pilot Was Completely Different

Catelyn Stark Encouraged Ned to go to King’s Landing, Unlike Michelle Fairley’s Version

In a different rendition of events, Catelyn Stark’s character is portrayed as striving for power in a manner closer to her book counterpart. Her motivation behind urging Ned to travel to King’s Landing was twofold: first, it would enhance Sansa’s prospects of marrying the future king and ultimately becoming queen; second, it held significant political implications due to the suspicion that the Lannisters were involved in Jon Arryn’s murder. Some viewers suggest that the showrunners altered her characterization to make her more relatable. Contrary to both the series and George R.R. Martin’s book, a scene where Catelyn combs Sansa’s hair and discusses her future role as queen is not included in the original pilot script.

In my humble opinion as a movie reviewer, the final version of “Game of Thrones” that graced our screens bore only scant resemblance to its initial pilot. A keen-eyed viewer would spot the difference – the surviving scenes were filmed on real film rather than digitally. The crypt scene between Robert and Ned Stark is a standout example where this transition is most apparent.

Additionally, you might notice that Tyrion Lannister’s hair appears significantly lighter in his brothel scene, while young Sansa Stark, portrayed by Sophie Turner, looks strikingly younger during her brief encounter with Cersei compared to other scenes.

Despite the pilot that aired on HBO omitting numerous elements from the books, it paved the way for “Game of Thrones” to ascend as one of the most triumphant TV shows in history.

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2025-04-24 16:50