Background English actress Natalia Tena isn’t best known for her work on “Game of Thrones,” but for her work on the Harry Potter series of films as Nymphadora Tonks, a member of the Order of the Phoenix. Additionally, she is a musician who plays the accordion in the band Molotov Jukebox.
Age: 33
Birthplace: London, England
14. Charlotte Hope
Character: Myranda is the bedfellow, plaything, and hunting buddy of the sadistic Ramsay Snow Bolton.
BACKGROUND: Before appearing on “Thrones,” Hope had several guest starring roles in a handful of British series.
13. Hannah Murray
Character: Wildling girl Gilly started as a daughter to Craster, but grew up to become one of his wives. Samwell Tarly and Jon Snow rescued her after the birth of her baby with Craster – a boy, which he would have abandoned in the woods.
BACKGROUND: Hannah Murray captivated English audiences as just a teenager with her role of Cassie Ainsworth in the series “Skins” before appearing on stage, on television, and in film in various roles. She stars as Sara in the 2014 Danish film Suburbs.
12. Amrita Acharia
Character: A member of the Dothraki horde, Irri was given to Khaleesi Daenerys Targaryen after her marriage to Khal Drogo. She worked as a handmaiden and taught the new Khaleesi the Dothraki language and customs.
BACKGROUND: An actress of mixed Nepalese and Ukranian heritage, Acharia moved with her family to Norway in her teens and carried on to London in adulthood to pursue acting. Before “Thrones,” she appeared in several TV movies.
11. Sibel Kekilli
CHARACTER: Hailing from Lorath, Shae is the young prostitute serving Tyrion Lannister. Tyrion initially confined Shae, but later made her the handmaiden to Sansa. Then she betrayed them both.
BACKGROUND: Before appearing on “Thrones,” German-born Sibel Kekilli worked as a pornographic actress using the stage name Dilara. She then earned acclaim in Germany for work on the 2004 movie Head-On, 2006 drama Eve Dönüş, and 2010 film When We Leave. More recently, she accepted a regular role on the crime drama “Tatort.”
10. Oona Chaplin
Character: Talisa Maegyr was a unique character who was not present in the original books on which “Game of Thrones” was based, but an important recurring character nonetheless. Talisa worked as a healer on the battlefield of the War of the Five Kings and later married Robb Stark – who was promised to a Frey.
BACKGROUND: Spanish actress Oona Chaplin has acting in her blood as the granddaughter of Charlie Chaplin and great-granddaughter of playwright Eugene O’Neill. Her early work consisted of stage acting, which led her to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. In the years since Chaplin has appeared in television roles such as on “The Hour” and in the BBC series “Sherlock.”
9. Esmé Bianco
CHARACTER: The red-haired stunner Ros worked as a prostitute in a brothel outside of Winterfell before moving to King’s Landing to work at a brothel owned by Littlefinger. The beauty was a favorite for many of the “Thrones” characters, especially Grand Maester Pycelle.
BACKGROUND: Before showing her sex appeal to “Thrones” viewers, English actress Esmé Bianco performed in neo-burlesque and cabaret shows and worked as a lingerie model in England. She’s also worked in film, appearing in the 2008 movie Chemical Wedding and the 2010 film The Big I Am.
8. Carice van Houten
Character: Eastern priestess Melisandre of Asshai serves as an adviser to Stannis Baratheon. She uses her ability to see the future to predict that Stannis will be the one to lead the people of Westeros to R’hllor – but her influence on Stannis, including sexually, is not welcomed by all.
BACKGROUND: Dutch actress Carice van Houten has earned five Golden Calf Awards at the Netherlands Film Festival, including Best Actress in Undercover Kitty (2001), The Happy Housewife (2010), and Black Butterflies (2011). In 2012, she released a pop-rock album called See You on the Ice.
7. Roxanne McKee
Character: Recurring character Doreah was a former prostitute who worked as a sexy servant to Daenerys Targaryen. Doreah was tasked with teaching Daenerys how to best satisfy her husband sexually.
BACKGROUND: Actress and model Roxanne McKee hails from West Sussex and was first discovered when she won a TV network talent contest, first prize: a role on the British soap opera “Hollyoaks.” Additional roles followed including on the drama “Lip Service” and the online series “EastEnders: E20.”
6. Sophie Turner
CHARACTER: Sansa Stark is the eldest daughter of Eddard Stark and was once betrothed to Joffrey Baratheon. When the betrothal was broken, Sansa became a captive at King’s Landing, a political pawn at the mercy of the Lannisters. She has since learned that she is a powerful tool in the Game of Thrones.
BACKGROUND: This was Sophie Turner’s first role, and she was nominated for a Young Artist Award for her performance. She appeared in the BBC Two TV film The Thirteenth Tale in 2013.
5. Nathalie Emmanuel
Character: Missandei, a translator, and slave in Astapor, was acquired by Khaleesi Daenerys Targaryen when she took control of the Unsullied. She speaks 19 languages.
BACKGROUND: Before “Thrones,” Emmanuel was well known as an actress on British soap series “Hollyoaks” where she played Sasha Valentine.
4. Lena Headey
Character: Cersei Lannister was the wife to King Robert Baratheon and the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. She’s also the twin sister of Jaime Lannister, who is the father of her three children, including King Joffrey and King Tommen. If word gets out that her boys are not true sons the Baratheon line, she could lose everything.
BACKGROUND: English actress Lena Headey has a long list of acting credits, including the Matt Damon film The Brothers Grimm and the 2007 epic 300, in which she played Queen Gorgo. Equally notably, Headey portrayed the title character in the television series “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.”
3. Rose Leslie
CHARACTER: A member of the Free Folk beyond the Wall, Ygritte, like her fiery red hair, is fiercely strong-willed and unmistakably beautiful. After meeting Jon Snow beyond the Wall, Ygritte taught him a thing or two.
BACKGROUND: Scottish BAFTA Award-winning actress Rose Leslie began her acting journey at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. She appeared as Gwen Dawson in the popular British period drama “Downton Abbey.”
2. Emilia Clarke
CHARACTER: Exiled princess Daenerys Targaryen – or Dany, as she is also known – as one of the last surviving members of House Targaryen, the former rulers of Westeros. The only daughter of King Aerys II Targaryen, she married Khal Drogo and became the Khaleesi (Queen) of his tribe, the Dothraki.
BACKGROUND: English actress Emilia Clarke trained at the Drama Centre London before taking on small roles in commercials, on television, and in the 2010 SyFy movie Triassic Attack. In 2011, Clarke joined “Game of Thrones” and has since won an EWwy Award as the Best Supporting Actress in a Drama for her work.
These pics of Emilia will make your heart race!
1. Natalie Dormer
Character: The beautiful, smart, and cunning Margaery Tyrell was once part of a plan to take the Iron Throne from King Joffrey – a mission that involved marrying Renly Baratheon, the brother of the late King Robert. Then she married Joffrey herself. Now Tommen?
BACKGROUND: Natalie Dormer is no stranger to historical fantasy series, having appeared as Anne Boleyn in “The Tudors” for two seasons and as Victoria in the 2005 film Casanova. More recently, she had a role in the 2011 movie Captain America: The First Avenger and in Rush (2013), and she will appear as Cressida in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Parts 1 and 2. Before her mainstream work, Dormer studied at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in her native country of England.
