Game of Thrones, even after a controversial final series, is widely considered one of the greatest TV series of all time.
The high fantasy HBO series, based on novels by George RR Martin, follows (now infamously) the conflicting political dynasties on the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos.
Its large ensemble cast, led by Emilia Clarke, Kit Harington, Maisie Williams and Sophie Turner, among others, put its stars firmly – or even more so – on the rise.
And the stats do not lie – its eight-year, eight-season run, with 73 episodes and a whopping 59 Emmy nominations made it a real phenomenon of modern television.
This behemoth of the small screen, which aired from 2011 until a disappointing finale in 2019, required resources of a similarly gargantuan scale to bring it to life.
And one of the legions of extras who worked on the show has now spoken out about what its stars were really like behind the scenes.
Game of Thrones (pictured), even in terms of pure cultural impact, is widely considered one of the greatest TV series of all time
The high fantasy HBO series (pictured), based on novels by George RR Martin , follows (now infamously) the conflicting political dynasties on the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos
Its large ensemble cast, led by Emilia Clarke (pictured), Kit Harington, Maisie Williams and Sophie Turner, among others, put its stars firmly – or even more so – on the rise
Writing on discussion site Reddit, they said they met ‘a decent chunk’ of the cast in their time working on the programme.
They were full of admiration for ‘funny’ Peter Dinklage and Jack Gleeson, who played Tyrion Lannister and his nephew King Joffrey Baratheon respectively.
Charles Dance – who played Tywin Lannister, head of the House Lannister dynasty, and father to Tyrion – was ‘very tall and polite’ when he asked the extra for a light.
But Aidan Gillen, who plays Lord Petyr Baelish, part of Joffrey’s inner sanctum, was apparently not so pleasant: ‘Aidan Gillen had a bit of a w***erish air about him.’
Another extra, who wrote on Reddit they had been on the show since its inception, said most of the cast basically ignored the extras.
But Gethin Anthony, who plays Renly Baratheon, fourth in line to inherit the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms realm, was different.
The extra said he spoke to the actor every day of the shoot, calling him an ‘amazing guy’: ‘He’s the most down to earth actor on the set.
‘The extras are generally told not to bother the “talent” but Anthony treats you as an equal (unlike most of the main cast who look right through you).’
One extra said they expected Peter Dinklage (pictured), who plays Tyrion Lannister, to be extroverted: ‘He keeps to himself for most of the day’
Another extra was full of admiration for Jack Gleeson (pictured), who played Tyrion Lannister and his nephew King Joffrey Baratheon respectively
They also had a different take on his fellow actor Peter, who they had expected to be extroverted: ‘He keeps to himself for most of the day.
‘He’s very shy. I expected him to be more flamboyant.
‘Peter Dinklage is nothing like his character. He’s incredibly quiet and is not as outspoken as you would initially think.’
The extra also heard good things about Rory McCann, who plays The Hound, Joffrey’s bodyguard: ‘McCann was very friendly.
‘I didn’t meet him but from what I was told he was a good guy.’
The user also gave an interesting insight into the casting process, saying they applied with friends on a total whim and was accepted alongside one of their pals.
‘They had a casting call near a hotel where I live and you filled out a form which asks some basic questions for the show, such as, “Can you ride a horse?”, “Do you have any experience with fencing”, then they take your picture’, they explained.
In their case, they were able to fence, so were taken on set.
Charles Dance (pictured) – who played Tywin Lannister, head of the House Lannister dynasty, and father to Tyrion – was ‘very tall and polite’ when he asked the extra for a light
Aidan Gillen (pictured), who plays Lord Petyr Baelish, part of Joffrey’s inner sanctum, was apparently not so pleasant: ‘Aidan Gillen had a bit of a w***erish air about him’
The extra also said the pay was ‘decent’, at £100 per day.
Charles Dance was praised by another extra on Reddit, who said he was ‘a real presence’ on set and ‘very popular’ with the extras, who all wanted photos with him.
Thousands of people have had the pleasure of being in the thick of the action as an extra on Game Of Thrones.
The Battle Of The Bastards, the spectacular war episode towards the end of series six, used around 500 extras to bring the fight scenes to life, Movie Web reports.
It also took a whopping 25 days to film, featuring an astonishing 70 horses, with 600 additional crew members brought on to see it to its conclusion.
Some extras even had the trying job of taking part in a 20-foot-high pile of bodies, alongside bloodied mock corpses.
Similarly, the eighth episode of series five saw another enormous battle, with Jon Snow (Kit Harington) leading the Night’s Watch and Free Folk against the Army of the Dead.
An amazing 400 extras and 50 stuntpeople were hired to bring the impressive episode to life.
The extra also heard good things about Rory McCann (pictured), who plays The Hound, Joffrey’s bodyguard: ‘McCann was very friendly’
The Battle of the Bastards (pictured), the spectacular war episode towards the end of series six, used around 500 extras to bring the fight scenes to life
Another extra, commenting on discussion site Quora, claimed to have starred in The Purple Wedding, the episode which saw Joffrey marry Margaery Tyrell (Natalie Dormer).
They said a mere 15-minute scene in this episode saw at least 100 extras brought on set.
Showrunner and co-creator David Benioff was full of praise for the extras when previously speaking to Entertainment Weekly.
‘Many of these guys kept long hair and beards purely for the show and they even came up with character names and backstories for themselves, their childhood traumas, what House they owed allegiance to, even though [those details] are not in the show…
‘It really adds to the believability of so many shots – whether they’re behind Jon Snow at Castle Black or at Winterfell or wherever – that these dudes really take this seriously and have passion for it.’
Several celebrities, often from bands the producers like, also starred as extras throughout the show’s run.
Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody played a soldier in the third series, while Coldplay drummer Will Champion starred as a drummer at The Red Wedding in the same season.
Despite the mixed reception of GOT’s final season, the show’s immense success has already birthed a 2022 spin-off prequel series, HBO’s House of Dragons.
Despite the mixed reception of GOT’s final season, the show’s immense success has already birthed a 2022 spin-off prequel series, HBO’s House of the Dragon (pictured)
And Warner Bros. has begun laying the groundwork for ‘at least one film’ set in the same world. Pictured: House of the Dragon
And Warner Bros. has begun laying the groundwork for ‘at least one film’ set in the same world, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
While the project is still in its infancy – lacking a director, cast, or script – sources have said Warner Bros. is enthusiastic about bringing the rich narratives of the Seven Kingdoms to the big screen.
Initially, showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss envisioned concluding the series with a theatrical trilogy instead of the 2019 finale.
And author George himself has hinted at the possibility of a movie as far back as 2014.
Fans can also look forward to A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, another GOT prequel, slated to premiere next year.
