An impressive amount of Game of Thrones actors also appeared in the Star Wars franchise. Whereas Game of Thrones came to fruition due to the book series by George R.R. Martin, the Star Wars universe was developed as a feature film by George Lucas before it transformed into a multimedia franchise. Despite being around for decades before Game of Thrones made its debut, many actors didn't appear in Star Wars until after their time in Westeros came to an end.
The Star Wars film series first launched in 1977 before expanding into a trilogy. From there, the Lucas-led universe spawned an array of storytelling across novels, comics, games, TV shows, and of course, more movies. Following the original trilogy set in the galaxy far, far away, a prequel trilogy was released from 1999 to 2005. A decade then passed before another live-action trilogy came into development, which served as the end of the Skywalker saga. In those years, Game of Thrones was at the height of its popularity on HBO. After airing for eight seasons, Game of Thrones finally ended in 2019.
Both Game of Thrones and Star Wars continue expanding their respective franchises. HBO Max is currently developing a spinoff titled House of the Dragon while Star Wars is switching focus to its Disney+ content. It wouldn't be surprising to see more Game of Thrones vets make the jump to Stars Wars, and vice versa. For now, here's every actor who has appeared in both franchises.
Julian Glover
Julian Glover appeared in the first six seasons of Game of Thrones in the role of Grand Maester Pycelle. As the king's personal maester, he served as a member of the small council and remained extremely loyal to the Lannister family, particularly Cersei. Pycelle was killed ahead of Cersei's trial in season 6 in an event orchestrated by a former maester, Qyburn. Nearly 30 years before joining the HBO series, Glover worked on The Empire Strikes Back as Maximilian Veers, a general in the Galactic Empire. The character notably led a squadron of AT-ATs during the Battle of Hoth.
Gwendoline Christie
Viewers would recognize Gwendoline Christie as fan-favorite Brienne of Tarth throughout Game of Thrones. The fierce warrior had ties to House Stark and House Lannister prior to the Battle of Winterfell. Ahead of the key battle, Brienne was knighted by Jaime Lannister, making her the first female knight in the Seven Kingdoms. While working on the HBO series, Christie starred in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Star Wars: The Last Jedi as Phasma, a captain of the First Order. The stormtrooper with the chrome armor was eventually killed by Finn aboard the Supremacy.
Thomas Brodie-Sangster
Thomas Brodie-Sangster had a recurring role on Game of Thrones as Jojen Reed, the son of Howland Reed and sister of Meera Reed. Jojen was a greenseer who met Bran Stark beyond the Wall before deciding to join the boy's group in finding the Three-Eyed Raven. He was later killed by a wight on the important journey. The following year, Brodie-Sangster appeared in The Force Awakens as Petty Office Thanisson. The character served the First Order on the General Hux's flagship, Finalizer.
Ian Whyte
Throughout Game of Thrones' eight seasons, Ian Whyte portrayed multiple characters including White Walkers, Gregor Clegane, Dongo the Giant, Wun Wun, and a wight giant. During those years, Whyte also worked on The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi as Crusher Roodown and Bollie Prindel. The latter of which was a member of the Resistance who appeared in the first two installments of the sequel trilogy.
Ian McElhinney
Ian McElhinney appeared in over two dozen Game of Thrones episodes in the role of Ser Barristan Selmy. The knight served in the Kinsguard during the reign of King Aerys II Targaryen before serving Robert Baratheon and Joffrey Baratheon. After distrusting the latter, Barristan was made free of his position and traveled to Essos to serve Daenerys Targaryen. As for the Star Wars universe, McElhinney cameoed in Rogue One as General Jan Dodonna, a figure in the Rebel Alliance that first appeared in A New Hope, and played by Alex McCrindle.
Tobias Menzies
Tobias Menzies was known for playing Edmure Tully, the Lord of Riverrun, and the brother of Catelyn Stark in Game of Thrones. Edmure was captured by House Frey prior to the massacre known as the Red Wedding. When the Seven Kingdoms needed a new leader in the final season, Edmure revealed his interest, but he wasn't taken seriously. Aside from Game of Thrones, Menzies worked on Star Wars Rebels, voicing Tiber Saxon, the governor of Mandalore.
Emilia Clarke
Emilia Clarke served one of the key figures throughout Game of Thrones, portraying Daenerys Targaryen. The Mother of Dragons had her sights set on the Iron Throne, but as she tried to obtain more power, she acquired many enemies. After aligning with Jon Snow and his allies, Daenerys assisted with the Battle of Winterfell before overtaking King's Landing. The power quickly went to her head, resulting in her murder before she could serve as the true queen. Before Game of Thrones came to an end, Clarke starred as Qi'ra in Solo: A Star Wars Story. The character was Han Solo's childhood friend and romantic interest who had ties to Crimson Dawn.
Pedro Pascal
Pedro Pascal starred in just one season of Game of Thrones but he made a lasting impact with his portrayal as Prince Oberyn Martell. The father of the Sand Snakes was a skilled fighter and master when it came to poisons. In season 4, Oberyn served as Tyrion Lannister's champion during a trial by combat against Gregor Clegane. Oberyn was then brutally killed by his opponent. Five years later, Pascal joined the Star Wars franchise as the titular character in The Mandalorian. The expert bounty hunter is at the center of the series as he vowed to protect "the Child," aka Baby Yoda. The actor will soon reprise the role of Din Djarin when the Disney+ series returns in fall 2020.
Natalia Tena
Natalia Tena played a vital role in Game of Thrones by portraying Osha, a member of the Free Folk who stepped up to protect Bran and Rickon Stark. She assisted the boys in their journey after fleeing from Winterfell before she was killed by Ramsay Bolton in season 6. Tena then joined the Star Wars franchise by appearing in an episode of The Mandalorian in the role of Xi'an. The Twi'lek served as a mercenary who had a past with Din Djarin before they teamed up for a new mission on a New Republic prison ship.
Other Actors In Game Of Thrones & Star Wars
Oliver Ford Davies: The actor played Maester Cressen, the servant of Stannis Baratheon, on Game of Thrones. In Star Wars, Davies portrayed the governor of Naboo, Sio Bibble, in all three installments of the prequel trilogy.
Keisha Castle-Hughes: In Game of Thrones, the actress played Obara Sand, the oldest child of Oberyn Martell and one of the Sand Snakes. A decade prior, Castle-Hughes appeared in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith as Queen Apailana of Naboo.
Jefferson Hall: Following his time playing Ser Hugh of the Vale, a knight killed by Gregor Clegane, in Game of Thrones season 1, Hall was briefly seen in The Force Awakens as a First Order Officer.
Miltos Yerolemou: After appearing Game of Thrones season 1 as Arya Stark's sword instructor, Syrio Forel, Yerolemou was seen as an eccentric bar patron at Max Kanata's castle in The Force Awakens.
Emun Elliot: The actor was seen in several episodes in Game of Thrones season 1 as Marillion, a singer who had his tongue cut out at the orders of King Joffrey for mocking the Lannister family. Elliot then appeared in The Force Awakens a Resistance communications officer named Taslin Brance.
Kate Dickie: The actress played Lysa Arryn, the sister of Catelyn Stark and mother of Robin Arryn who was pushed through the moon door in Game of Thrones season 4. Dickie later worked on The Last Jedi as a First Order Officer.
Mark Stanley: Before joining The Force Awakens as one of the members of the Knights of Ren, Stanley portrayed Grenn, a ranger of the Night's Watch in Game of Thrones that was killed during the Battle of Castle Black.
Jessica Henwick: The actress appeared in Game of Thrones season 5 as Nymeria Sand, a sister of Obara and a fellow member of the Sand Snakes. The same year she appeared in the series, Henwick played Jessika Pava, a skilled pilot of the Resistance featured in The Force Awakens.
Max von Sydow: After appearing in The Force Awakens as Lor San Tekka, a supporter of the Resistance who obtained a fragment of the map that led to Luke Skywalker, the actor took over the role of the Three-Eyed Raven in Game of Thrones season 6.
Hannah John-Kamen: The actress first appeared on Game of Thrones as Ornela, a member of the dosh khaleen who befriended Daenerys Targaryen. John-Kamen then joined The Force Awakens as a First Order Officer.
Ralph Ineson: Following his time on Game of Thrones playing Dagmer Cleftjaw, an ironborn reaver that served House Greyjoy, Ineson portrayed Colonel Ansiv Garmuth of the First Order in a deleted scene from The Last Jedi.
Mark Lewis Jones: The actor worked on Game of Thrones season 1 as Shagga, the leader of the Stone Crows, before joining The Last Jedi as Moden Canady, a naval officer of the First Order.
Francis Magee: After playing Yoren, a member in the Night's Watch, in Game of Thrones, Magee appeared in the Star Wars franchise in Rogue One as Jav Mefran, a corporal in the Alliance to Restore the Republic that fought in the Battle of Scarif.