Best (and worst) casting on Game of Thrones?

[uberDoward]

I love pretty much all the casting.

I like Ian McElhinney's portrayal of Ser Barristan the Bold.

Sorry, but his dismissal from the Kingsgaurd was a great scene, for me!

For me, though, Liam Cunningham's Ser Davos Seaworth has been top notch. Aside from the obvious Tyrion, Tywin, Arya, etc. Wanted to have someone recognize the Onion Knight, dammit!

 

[Nouw]

To mix things up I'd like to mention Stannis. What? It's good casting, just shite writing.

 

[Casual Shinji]

Peter Dinklage. Like that's the easiest question I've ever had to answer.

I'd have to say he's a favorite of mine too. Been a fan of his since Living in Oblivion, he was hilarious in that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4je71Tz_9IE

I fucking love that scene! I think this was the first movie I ever saw him in. "Is the little man gonna do gymnastics?"

Though I will say that he always seems to struggle somewhat with his accent, which brings down his performance a tad.

Anyway, for me it's Charles Dance. The guy can fucking cut you in half with just one look. He's a giant asshole, but he carries himself with such cool and collective pride, you can't help but respect the guy.

 

[KingsGambit_v1legacy]

Looking up GoT actors on IMDB is stupid. As soon as you see "Number of Episodes" you know when they die :-(

Maisie Williams as a FUCKING PSYCHOTIC Arya

The character isn't remotely psychotic, at least not in the show. The only character I'd describe that way is Joffrey, possibly Ramsey Bolton. Arya is calm, collected, sometimes passionate but usually calculating and cool as a cucumber, almost as far from psychotic as one can be.

 

[Robot Number V]

It'd probably have to be a death match between Tyrion, Arya, and Joffrey.

Although Arya would probably win. Seriously. Don't fuck with Arya.[footnote]No, not that one. Well, that one too.[/footnote]

 

[9thRequiem]

Lots of the ones mentioned above, but also Iwan Rheon as Ramsay Snow. Genuinely terrifying.

 

[Baron_Rouge]

Charles Dance nails the intimidating, pragmatic patriarch vibe as Tywin Lannister, absolutely nails it. He'd have to be up there. Also, Joffrey is so excellent at being loathsome that he deserves special mention. I mean, I hear Jack Gleeson is about the nicest guy around, but Joffrey is one of the most despicable characters I've ever seen. I also think that Stephen Dillane does a great job as Stannis Baratheon.

 

[CyborgGinger]

Easy. Kristian Nairn as Hodor.

Absolutely nails his lines 100% of the time.

 

[Mr.Squishy]

I'm loving the casting on everyone, really, especially the Lannisters

 

[Teoes]

Having seen the series to date I'm now going back to read the books and am about 2/3rds through A Clash of Kings. Despite characters often being described quite differently in the books I still picture their faces and hear their voices in my head as the TV actor. As I read the book the version of Tywin I picture is Charles Dance, despite me being told he's bald; etc.

My vote goes to.. most of the cast really! Like others I think pretty much everyone is awesome. However I can't make my made up on Aidan Gillen as Littlefinger - I can't help but think his line delivery is all-too-often flatter and more monotonous than it should be. I feel there's nuance to his words but not enough in the way he says them.

Also, what? No love for Michelle Fairley's motherly power as Catelyn? I thought she's been fantastic throughout, especially her scenes right at the end of series 3.

 

[JoesshittyOs]

Also, what? No love for Michelle Fairley's motherly power as Catelyn? I thought she's been fantastic throughout, especially her scenes right at the end of series 3.

She had the misfortune of playing one of most annoying characters in the book. She does the role justice, but there's only so much you can do to make Catelyn Tully a likable character. She's literally the central catalyst to almost every major negative event which drives the world farther and farther into chaos.

 

[Teoes]

Also, what? No love for Michelle Fairley's motherly power as Catelyn? I thought she's been fantastic throughout, especially her scenes right at the end of series 3.

She had the misfortune of playing one of most annoying characters in the book. She does the role justice, but there's only so much you can do to make Catelyn Tully a likable character. She's literally the central catalyst to almost every major negative event which drives the world farther and farther into chaos.

Indeed and if it weren't obvious there's also her constant internal monologue along the lines of "Oh arse, I've cocked that one up haven't I? Oh well, add it to the list; woe is me. How I miss people who are no longer around..". But still she tries, bless her - and yes, the part is well played.

 

[ninjaRiv]

Everyone. I don't think there's a single bad actor in there. Although, Tyrion's accent isn't great. But it shows how skilled he is, since that doesn't take away from anything.

If I had to pick one, though, it's Sean Bean as Eddard Stark.

 

[SpAc3man]

Pretty much all of them are awesome.
A more focussed discussion would be who was a poor casting choice. I'll come back when I think of one.

 

[The Funslinger]

1. Charles Dance as Tywin. Much like Alan Rickman's Snape, Dance's Tywin is arguably better than the actual Tywin..

I'm not sure if he's my favourite casting but I will agree that Dance's Tywin is much more... I don't know... Interesting, I guess. I loved the scenes he had with Arya.

Yeah, and as a nitpick, I like his character's appearance in the show much better than his in book description.

Shaved head, except for weird blonde mutton chop things.

This (though the fan art is exceedingly well made):

Sucks compared to this:

OT: Jon Snow would definitely be my pick.

 

[BanicRhys]

It'd be easier to just list the characters I don't like.

Fucking Shae.

But if I had to pick a favourite actor, I'd probably have to go with whoever plays that ginger wildling girl that Jon Snow hangs out with.

 

[Commerford]

The character isn't remotely psychotic, at least not in the show. The only character I'd describe that way is Joffrey, possibly Ramsey Bolton. Arya is calm, collected, sometimes passionate but usually calculating and cool as a cucumber, almost as far from psychotic as one can be.

She's not even a teenage girl who recites the names of the people she is going to murder every day and you're claiming she's as far from psychotic as one can be? Granted she's smart but she's also rash, and only thinks before she acts some times.

As for best cast? I wouldn't give it to Peter Dinklage, he's Martin's 'supposedly' favourite character and easily has the most depth written into their story line. Dinklage has shown he's a great actor before so I doubt there was much of a discussion at the HBO offices as who would best fit the role.

Imo best cast has to go to Mark Addy as Robert Baratheon or Jack Gleeson as Joffrey, or maybe Iain Glen as Jorah Mormont. All as close as they can be as I imagined them from the books.

Also really excited for who they get as Wyman Manderly. Maybe Brian Blessed?

 

[b.w.irenicus]

First things first, almost the entire cast is awesome. But besides the ususal suspects I will especially honor Liam Cunningham asSer Davos Seaworth (a very likeable and down-to-earth character) and Iain Glen as Jorah Mormont.

 

[antigodoflife]

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau I believe is perfectly casted above all others as Jamie and while HBO frequenter, Michael J. Anderson would have made a better Tyrion as described in the books, I feel Peter Dinklage is a better actor and I'm glad he was chosen in the end. Charles Dance is a perfect as Tywin, but I don't care about him as much as I do Jamie. I think I just like the Lannisters.

EDIT: Actually I'm going to go with Maisie William's Arya as the best casting after all that.

 

[hermes]

Good casting, I will go with Peter Dinklage (Tyrion). Not only he has proven to be a great actor, but I don't think it could have been easy to find an actor with his skill and physical condition. John Bradley (Sam Tarly) is also a pretty good cast choice.

Bad casting, Stephen Dillane (Stannis) and Liam Cunningham (Davos). Don't get me wrong, they are both very good actors and they do a decent job with their characters; but I don't think they match the idea I had of them when I read the book. In fact, they could swap roles, and it would work a lot better, since Cunningham is a lot closer to the way I imagined Stannis Baratheon.

Asha and Roose tie for worst. Asha was supposed to be a lot more better looking than what we got and Roose doesn't look anywhere near how he's described in the books.

Damn, how did I forgot Asha? (probably because her part was really small in season 3); but you are right, she doesn't look the part at all.