Game of Thrones Celebrates 15th Anniversary: The Evolving Paths of Its Child Stars
It has been a remarkable fifteen years since HBO first launched the epic fantasy series Game of Thrones, transforming George R.R. Martin's novels into a global television phenomenon. The show not only shattered viewership records and amassed an impressive 59 Primetime Emmy Awards but also launched the careers of numerous young actors who grew up on screen. As the series marks this significant milestone, we explore the varied and fascinating journeys of its child stars, from achieving leading roles in major productions to pursuing entirely different passions away from the limelight.
Sophie Turner: From Sansa Stark to Lara Croft
Sophie Turner was just thirteen years old when she debuted as Sansa Stark, a role she portrayed throughout all eight seasons of the series. Following the conclusion of Game of Thrones, she has continued to build a substantial acting portfolio. Her recent credits include starring as jewel thief Joan Hannington in the ITV drama Joan in 2024 and appearing in the series The Staircase. Now thirty, Turner is set to take on the iconic role of Lara Croft in Amazon Prime Video's upcoming Tomb Raider series. On a personal note, she was married to Joe Jonas for four years before their divorce in 2023, and they share two young daughters, Willa and Delphine.
Kerry Ingram: Focusing on Writing and Theatre
Kerry Ingram shot to fame at fifteen as Shireen Baratheon, appearing from season three to season five. After her time on Game of Thrones, she starred as Becky in the Netflix series Free Rein and its spin-off films. In recent years, Ingram has shifted her focus towards writing and theatre, becoming a patron of the Berkshire Arts Academy and continuing to work actively in theatrical productions.
Jack Gleeson: A Break from Fame and a Return to Acting
Beginning his role as the notorious Joffrey Baratheon at seventeen, Jack Gleeson was a main cast member from season one through season four. After his character's dramatic exit, Gleeson stepped away from major screen acting to study philosophy and theology at Trinity College Dublin. He made a return to acting in 2020 with the BBC series Out of Her Mind and has since appeared in projects such as The Land of Saints and Sinners, The Sandman, and House of Guinness.
Maisie Williams: Diverse Roles and Tech Entrepreneurship
Cast as Arya Stark at twelve, Maisie Williams played the character across all eight seasons. Post-Game of Thrones, she initially felt lost but has since embraced a variety of acting roles in productions like The New Mutants, Two Weeks to Live, Pistol, and The New Look. Beyond acting, Williams co-founded the creative networking app Daisie in 2019, a platform designed to help young artists connect and collaborate.
Isaac Hempstead Wright: From Bran Stark to Neuroscience
One of the youngest cast members at ten years old, Isaac Hempstead Wright portrayed Bran Stark throughout the entire series. After Game of Thrones concluded, he pursued higher education, earning a BSc in neuroscience from University College London. He briefly returned to acting for the 2021 sci-fi film Voyagers but has since focused on science work, reportedly now involved in clinical training.
Bella Ramsey: Critical Acclaim in The Last of Us
Bella Ramsey secured their breakout role as Lyanna Mormont at ten, appearing in nine episodes across seasons six to eight. Since then, they have starred in The Worst Witch, voiced the lead in Netflix's Hilda, and taken roles in Judy and Resistance. Ramsey, who is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, gained significant critical acclaim for their portrayal of Ellie in HBO's The Last of Us, earning Emmy nominations in 2023 and 2025, with a third season planned for 2027.
Other Notable Child Stars and Their Paths
Lino Facioli, who played Robin Arryn from age ten, went on to star as Dex Thompson in Netflix's Sex Education and appeared in theatre and the Apple TV+ series Masters of the Air. Aimee Richardson, thirteen as Myrcella Baratheon, continued acting in projects like Fright Shorts and Haunted Ulster Live. Art Parkinson, nine as Rickon Stark, has balanced acting with working as a barista in his family's cafe, The Coffe Tree.
Brenock O'Connor, sixteen as Olly, pursued roles in Alex Rider and Sing Street while also launching a music career under the name McGovern. Eros Vlahos, fifteen as Lommy Greenhands, transitioned into writing and directing, winning awards at SXSW 2024 for his short film Meat Puppet. Ben Hawkey, fifteen as Hot Pie, opened a pop-up bakery in London and briefly returned to acting. Callum Wharry, ten as Tommen Baratheon, has stepped away from acting entirely.
These diverse trajectories highlight how the child stars of Game of Thrones have navigated life after the series, showcasing a wide range of successes and personal choices that reflect their individual passions and ambitions.
