How Much Was The Cast Of Game Of Thrones Paid Per Episode? (2024)

Quick Links

  • Maisie Williams
  • Sophie Turner
  • Isaac Hempstead Wright
  • Kit Harington
  • Emilia Clarke
  • Lena Headey
  • Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
  • Peter Dinklage

Highlights

  • Game Of Thrones cast members like Kit Harington earned $1.2 million per episode, negotiating higher salaries later in the show's run.
  • Supporting cast members like Maisie Williams made $175,000 per episode, reflecting their newcomer status in early seasons.
  • Emilia Clarke and Peter Dinklage also earned $1.2 million per episode, accumulating substantial wealth as Game Of Thrones cast members.

Half a decade may have passed since its epic finale, but Game Of Thrones remains a television titan.

This epic fantasy show, based on George R.R. Martin's sprawling novels, dominated other series worldwide with its intricate storylines, political intrigue, stunning visuals, and, of course, fire-breathing dragons.

Game Of Thrones was considered a ratings success for HBO throughout all eight of its seasons.

According to reports from HBO, Game Of Thrones averaged over 30 million viewers per episode across all platforms during its final season, making it one of the most-watched television shows of all time.

It is no wonder that Game Of Thrones propelled its cast members to unimaginable heights of fame and fortune.

Stars like Kit Harington, Emilia Clarke, Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey, and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau became household names, commanding salaries that reflected their pivotal roles in the Westeros saga.

With the phenomenal success of Game Of Thrones, it is unsurprising that the HBO fantasy drama cast negotiated ample salaries.

Initially, core cast members like Emilia Clarke and Kit Harington reportedly received a respectable $500,000 per episode. However, as the series progressed, the top stars negotiated even better deals.

By the final season, they were earning $1.2 million per episode, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. Even supporting cast members like Maisie Williams and Sophie Turner commanded respectable salaries.

Today, let's look at how much Game Of Thrones cast members were paid per episode.

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8 Maisie Williams

How Much Was The Cast Of Game Of Thrones Paid Per Episode? (2)

Salary Per Episode - $175,000

Her transformation from a spirited young girl to a deadly assassin made Arya Stark one of the Game Of Thrones characters with the best arcs, and the actress behind the role, Maisie Williams, burst onto the scene with the role.

Williams joined Game Of Thrones as a young teen, and her character's growth paralleled her own coming-of-age in the spotlight.

Her age and screen role on the show meant she belonged to a lower pay tier than the major adult stars.

Between the sixth and penultimate season, Williams earned around $150,000 per episode, reflecting her status as a "Tier B" cast member.

By the final season, her paycheck saw a modest increase to $175,000 per episode.

Role

Arya Stark

Seasons

Seasons 1–8

Salary Per Episode

$175,000

Estimated Net Worth

$6 Million And $10 Million

7 Sophie Turner

How Much Was The Cast Of Game Of Thrones Paid Per Episode? (3)

Salary Per Episode - $175,000

Sophie Turner soared to international fame with her portrayal of Sansa Stark, one of the central characters in the HBO show.

Beginning as a naive young lady, Sansa underwent a harrowing transformation throughout the series, enduring abuse and manipulation before emerging as a resilient and cunning ruler of Winterfell.

Turner's nuanced performance captured this complex journey. She was a consistent presence on Game Of Thrones from its 2011 premiere to its 2019 conclusion.

Like her on-screen sister, Maisie Williams, Sophie Turner was initially on $150,000 per episode before the eighth season before being bumped up to $175,000 per episode by the last season.

Sophie Turner currently has an estimated net worth of $10 million.

Role

Sansa Stark

Seasons

Seasons 1–8

Salary Per Episode

$175,000

Estimated Net Worth

$12 Million

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6 Isaac Hempstead Wright

How Much Was The Cast Of Game Of Thrones Paid Per Episode? (5)

Salary Per Episode - $175,000

Isaac Hempstead Wright brought Bran Stark to life, a character whose journey held the key to Westeros's history and future.

Bran's transformation from a disabled boy to the all-seeing Three-Eyed Raven was pivotal in the series.

He was part of the initial starring cast and remained a member of the starring cast for the second, third, and fourth seasons, earning $150,000 per episode.

The eighth and final season of the show premiered in April 2019, with Hempstead Wright in the starring role, making him one of a handful of Game Of Thrones actors who have remained on the show over its nine years of production.

Wright was making $175,000 per episode by the finale, similar to his co-stars Maisie Williams and Sophie Turner.

After his time on Game Of Thrones, Wright has pursued academic interests, studying neuroscience at university.

Role

Brandon Stark

Seasons

Seasons 1–8

Salary Per Episode

$175,000

Estimated Net Worth

$4 Million

5 Kit Harington

How Much Was The Cast Of Game Of Thrones Paid Per Episode? (6)

Salary Per Episode - $1.2 Million

Kit Harington's breakthrough came when he was chosen to play Jon Snow in Game Of Thrones.

From his early days as a Night's Watch recruit to his ultimate destiny, Harington brought intensity and vulnerability to a beloved character.

His portrayal of Jon Snow, a man torn between duty and lineage, was key to the show's immense popularity.

His brooding good looks and intense screen presence earned him critical acclaim and numerous award nods, including two Primetime Emmy nominations.

Harington's time on Game Of Thrones began in 2011 and spanned until the show's finale in 2019, totaling eight seasons.

Initially earning $500,000 per episode for seasons five and six, Harington's salary was increased to $1.2 million per episode for the final two seasons.

His per-episode salary ranks among the highest ever earned by a television actor.

With a total of 20 episodes in seasons five and six and 14 episodes in the final two seasons, Harington's earnings from Game Of Thrones likely exceeded $30 million.

Role

Jon Snow

Seasons

Seasons 1–8

Salary Per Episode

$1.2 Million

Estimated Net Worth

$14 Million

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4 Emilia Clarke

How Much Was The Cast Of Game Of Thrones Paid Per Episode? (8)

Salary Per Episode - $1.2 Million

Emilia Clarke breathed fire into Daenerys Targaryen, transforming from an exiled princess to a formidable queen determined to reclaim her birthright.

Originally, actress Tamzin Merchant was cast for the iconic role of Daenerys. However, fate intervened during the pilot episode's re-shoot in early 2010, leading to Clarke's takeover.

Clarke's refined portrayal earned her numerous accolades, including multiple Emmy nominations. In seasons five and six, Emilia Clarke earned $500,000 per episode, totaling $10 million for 20 episodes.

Clarke earned $1.2 million per episode for the final season of Game Of Thrones, totaling $7.2 million, making her one of the highest-paid television actors ever.

Similar to Harington, it's probable that Clarke's total earnings from Game Of Thrones surpassed $30 million.

Role

Daenerys Targaryen

Seasons

Seasons 1–8

Salary Per Episode

$1.2 Million

Estimated Net Worth

$20 Million

3 Lena Headey

How Much Was The Cast Of Game Of Thrones Paid Per Episode? (9)

Salary Per Episode - $1.2 Million

Although Lena Headey was already established before being cast in Game Of Thrones, the show brought her worldwide recognition.

She was cast in the role after her friend and eventual co-star, Peter Dinklage, suggested her casting to producers.

Appearing in 62 of the show's 73 episodes from 2011 to 2019, Headey's performance as the ruthless queen garnered five Primetime Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe nomination.

In seasons five and six, Lena was reportedly paid $500,000 per episode, accumulating a total of $10 million. Recent reports suggest that Headey may have earned as much as $144,000 per minute during the final season.

As one of the leading cast members, earning $1.2 million per episode, Headey appeared in just three episodes during that season, accumulating a total payday of $3.6 million.

Notably, her character spent a significant portion of the eighth season gazing out of a window in King's Landing.

Reports estimate that Lena Headey has a net worth of $12 million.

Role

Cersei Lannister

Seasons

Seasons 1–8

Salary Per Episode

$1.2 Million

Estimated Net Worth

$16 Million

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2 Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

How Much Was The Cast Of Game Of Thrones Paid Per Episode? (11)

Salary Per Episode - $1.2 Million

Danish actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau gained international superstardom for portraying Jaime Lannister, the complex and morally conflicted knight on Game Of Thrones.

Jaime started as a ruthless antagonist, but Coster-Waldau brought depth and surprising vulnerability to the role throughout the series.

An article by The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Coster-Waldau earned $1.2 million per episode for the final season, making him one of the highest-paid actors on television.

The figure meant he was pocketing around $7.2 million for the abbreviated six-episode season. According to Variety, during the previous season, Coster-Waldau and his co-stars reportedly earned $500,000 per episode.

Notably, the cast united to negotiate higher salaries ahead of the final two seasons.

Role

Jaime Lannister

Seasons

Seasons 1–8

Salary Per Episode

$1.2 Million

Estimated Net Worth

$16 Million

1 Peter Dinklage

How Much Was The Cast Of Game Of Thrones Paid Per Episode? (12)

Salary Per Episode - $1.2 Million

Peter Dinklage's Tyrion Lannister consistently stole the spotlight on Game Of Thrones; he won the Primetime Emmy for "Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series" a record four times.

He was the first actor cast for the show, and had the second-most screen time on the entire show, after Kit Harington's Jon Snow.

Tyrion's sharp mind and biting humor made him a fan favorite, and Dinklage's layered rendition further elevated the role.

According to reports, Dinklage earned $500,000 per episode for seasons five and six, totaling $10 million across 20 episodes, just like the other four main Game Of Thrones cast members.

For the final season of Game Of Thrones, Dinklage was paid $1.2 million per episode, which worked out to $7.2 million for six episodes.

Role

Tyrion Lannister

Seasons

Seasons 1–8

Salary

$1.2 Million

Estimated Net Worth

$25 Million

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How Much Was The Cast Of Game Of Thrones Paid Per Episode? (2024)
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