'Game of Thrones': 10 Characters Who Were Recast

Our long wait is (almost) over. A year after the Season 5 finale that launched a thousand fan theories, Game of Thrones is preparing to enter new territory in its sixth season, which debuts Sunday, April 24 on HBO. For the first time in its history, the series will venture completely off book, as the writers have lapped the release of author George R.R. Martin’s final two novels. So now, both readers and newbies will be on the same proverbial page when we return to Westeros, Dorne, and points beyond.

As viewers count down the days to Game of Thrones’ return, we here at Yahoo TV are launching our official countdown: #GoTIsComing. Check back here every day over the next month as we explore all of our favorite (and a few of our least favorite) people, places, and things about television’s most addictive show. From Direwolves and Dragons to the shows most hideous deaths and imperiled characters, we’re going to indulge or GoT obsession with the same fervor that Cersei imbibes alcohol. So raise a glass and toast the impending arrival of a long, cruel, and bloody Westerosi winter.

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The characters of Game of Thrones are so vividly written and portrayed, they feel like real people. Just, you know, people who ride dragons and rule kingdoms and crush the life out of a man with his bare hands.

As indelible as the characters are to us now, some of them underwent changes as the roles were recast during the series. A few actors were switched out before we even saw the original performances, after the pilot went through reshoots. Others were recast due to scheduling issues or a need to expand the character’s storyline. Here’s a rundown of all the roles recast on Game of Thrones.

Game of Thrones Season 6 premieres Sunday, April 24 at 9 p.m. on HBO.