What happened to Game of Thrones' child stars? From landing leading roles to disappearing from the spotlight, the varied lives of the young cast as series celebrates its 15th anniversary
It's been 15 years since Game of Thrones first launched on HBO.The hit fantasy novel series turned into a global phenomenon and the launched of careers of several stars, including Emilia Clarke and Kit Harington. It archived record-breaking viewership and won 59 Primetime Emmy Awards. With many of its child stars just starting their careers, they have gone on to have very varied paths after their series finished.From going on to land leading roles to launching an app to disappearing from the spotlight, there have been no two paths the same.As Game of Thrones celebrates its anniversary this week, the Daily Mail takes a look at what the show's child stars are up to now. Sophie Turner was 13 when she made her debut in GOT and went on to land a leading role as Lara Croft in the Amazon Prime Video's Tomb Raider series Sophie TurnerSophie was just 13 years old when she was cast as Sansa Stark in GOT.She continued the role for all eight seasons before its conclusion.Following the series, she has starred as jewel thief Joan Hannington in the ITV drama Joan (2024) and acted in The Staircase. Now 30, she is set to play Lara Croft in Amazon Prime Video's Tomb Raider series.She was married to Joe Jonas for four years before their divorce in 2023 and the pair share daughters Willa, five, and Delphine, three.Kerry Ingram Kerry Ingram was 15 in Game of Thrones and went on to focus on writing and working in theatre Kerry shot to fame as Shireen Baratheon on the series when she was 15 years old. She made her first appearance in season three, with her character's final appearance in season five. After her stint in GOT, she went on to star as Becky in the Netflix series Free Rein and its spin-off movies.She later focused on writing and became a patron of the Berkshire Arts Academy, and continued working in theatre.Jack Gleeson Jack Gleeson was 17 in the series and went on the appear in The Sandman and House of Guinness Jack was 17 when he began playing Joffrey Baratheon in GOT.He was a main cast member from season one straight through to season four. After his character was killed off in the series, he stepped away from major screen acting. The actor wanted to take a break from fame and went on to study philosophy and theology at Trinity College Dublin. In 2020, he returned to acting in the BBC series Out of Her Mind.He has since appeared in The Land of Saints and Sinners, The Sandman and the House of Guinness.Maisie Williams Maisie Williams was 12 when she played Arya Stark and went on to have various acting roles and even launch an appMaisie was 12 years old when she was cast as Arya Stark, who she ended up playing throughout the show's eight seasons.Following GOT, the actress initially felt 'lost' and struggled with the transition, later focusing on varied acting roles, fashion and tech. She went on to star in The New Mutants, Two Weeks to Live, Pistol, and The New Look. In 2019, she co-founded the app Daisie, which is a creative networking platform designed to help young artists connect and collaborate. Isaac Hempstead Wright Isaac Hempstead-Wright starred throughout every season of GOT and then stepped back from acting to focus on science workIsaac was ten in the series, making him one of the youngest cast members.The actor, who played Bran Stark, made his debut in season one and continued to star in GOT until the final season.After the series wrapped up, he went on to focus on higher education, pursuing a BSc in neuroscience at the University College London. He briefly stepped back into acting for the 2021 sci-fi film Voyagers but quickly moved back into science work.According to reports, he now works in clinical training. Bella Ramsey Bella Ramsey secured their breakout role in the series when they were ten and went on to gain critical acclaim in HBO's The Last of Us Bella secured their breakout role as Lyanna Mormont when they were ten. They played their character for three seasons, between six and eight, appearing in a total of nine episodes.After GOT, they went on to star in The Worst Witch, voiced the lead in Netflix's Hilda, and took roles in Judy and Resistance.The actor, who is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, also gained critical acclaim as Ellie in HBO's The Last of Us, for which they earned 2023 and 2025 Emmy nominations. The third season is planned for release in 2027.Lino Facioli Lino Facioli was ten when he first starred in GOT and went on to star in Sex Education and dabble in theatre Lino was ten when he starred as Robin Arryn.He appeared in seasons one to four with a final return in season eight.After the series, he went on to star as Dex Thompson in the Netflix hit series Sex Education.He also dabbled in theatre with To Drone in the Rain and portrayed Lt. Adams in the Apple TV+ World War II miniseries Masters of the Air. Aimee Richardson Aimee Richardson was 13 in the series and continued acting afterAimee was 13 when she appeared as Myrcella Baratheon in season one.She continued her role up until season two.After GOT, she continued acting, starring in Fright Shorts, The Break, and Haunted Ulster Live.Art Parkinson Art Parkinson was nine when he made his debut in the series and went on to become a barista in his family cafe alongside actingArt was just nine when he played Rickon Stark in season five.His character returned for the final time in season six. After GOT, he worked as a barista in his family's cafe, The Coffe Tree. He has also continued to act, with credits in Zoo, The Bay, and Kubo and the Two Strings.Brenock O'Connor Brenock O'Connor was 16 in the series and went on to star in more films and has even pursued music Brenock was 16 when he starred as Olly in season five and six.Following the series, he played Tom Harris in Alex Rider, appeared in the film The Bromley Boys, and played Conor Lawlor in the musical adaptation of Sing Street.Away from acting, he's pursued a career in music under the name McGovern. Eros Vlahos Eros Vlahos was 15 in GOT and went on to transition into writing and directing Eros appeared as Lommy Greenhands in GOT when he was 15.He starred in season one and season two.Since his appearance in the series he has continued acting and transitioned into writing and directing. His short film Meat Puppet premiered at SXSW 2024, where it won the Special Jury Prize and the Audience Award. Ben Hawkey Ben Hawkey was 15 in the series and went on to step away from the spotlight Ben was 15 when her shot to fame playing Hot Pie in the series.He starred in seasons one, two, three, four and seven. Following his role, he transitioned into the food industry by opening a pop-up bakery in London called You Know Nothing John Dough.He briefly returned to acting with a role in the film The Drowning of Arthur Braxton. Callum Wharry Callum Wharry was ten in GOT and then stepped away from acting Callum was just ten when he played Tommen Baratheon in GOT. He played the role for the first two seasons before he was later replaced by Dean-Charles Chapman for the role in Season four.Since his appearance on the series, Callum has stepped away from acting.
