‘Game of Thrones’ Nearly Made a Fatal Casting Mistake That Could’ve Killed The Show Right Before it Even Took Off
- Before Lena Headey became Cersei Lannister in 'Game of Thrones', Carice van Houten was in negotiations for the role.
- Headey's portrayal of Cersei Lannister made her a standout character with her ability to express authority and cruelty.
- Headey was not happy with Lannister's character arc, and she suggested her own ending.
It is quite surprising, but one of the most popular shows ever, Game of Thrones, came close to being much different than what viewers see now. Before it became a cultural phenomenon, a crucial casting decision could have changed everything.
The series is all about complex politics and betrayal, and one character stands in the middle of all of these. Cersei Lannister, the cunning and ruthless queen who fans loved to hate, played an important role in the series’ success. But what if Cersei Lannister was played by someone else?
Carice van Houten Almost Played Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones
Cersei Lannister was that conspiring queen that left fans glued to their screens for eight seasons. She starts as a wife to Robert Baratheon but then becomes the manipulative Queen of the Seven Kingdoms who will do anything for her children.
Lena Headey contributed to the popularity of the show, and her acting made Lannister one of the most hated yet slightly pitiful villains in TV show history.
However, before Headey got the role, Carice van Houten had been in negotiations for the role of Lannister. But she turned it down because of scheduling issues, and later became part of the cast, playing Melisandre in the second season.
Houten herself acknowledged that everything worked out for the best. In an interview with The Sunday Times, she acknowledged how Headey was the perfect fit for the role, saying,
It makes sense, because they’re sort of the same wood, as we say. But it all turned out for the best, because Lena couldn’t be a better Cersei.
Houten, of course, has talent, but maybe that elegance and magic of Melisandre would not have fit Lannister, who is more strategic and political. Lannister is much colder and more authoritative, and the character might have demanded a different kind of energy, which might not have suited Houten.
Headey’s acting of Cersei Lannister was something else altogether. She was excellent at expressing feelings, particularly in the scenes when her children were present, which added layers to her character.
It is hard to imagine anyone else saying, “When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die,” with the same menacing grace. Headey’s subtle facial expressions and vocal delivery established the authority and cold character of Lannister, which made her lines more memorable.
Game of Thrones Rushed Cersei Lannister’s Arc
It is quite well known by the viewers that Game of Thrones rushed to its rather questionable ending. And while doing so, it appeared to forget the villain that had been so carefully developed in its narrative.
Lannister was the one who slowly and steadily outplayed those around her for years and was also one of the best female villains on TV. In the last season, she was shown mostly drinking wine and gazing out of the windows.
The Night King’s death felt both surprising and premature, and many fans felt cheated after Lannister’s death. Lena Headey herself had different expectations for her character’s end.
Later in 2023, during the Austin Film Festival, she shared her idea of completing the show’s story with an epic battle between Cersei Lannister and Arya Stark. Headey told The Hollywood Reporter,
Maisie [Williams] and I would fantasize about a Cersei and Arya showdown; that she would come back as Jaime. That was our dream. But they made different choices.
This potential face-off would have been the perfect climax of Arya Stark’s journey and Lannister’s reign. Instead, fans were left with a somewhat anticlimactic end. Headey expressed her disappointment to The Guardian, saying, “I wanted a better death. Obviously, you dream of your death… I was kind of gutted.”
The problem of the rushed ending is also seen in Lannister’s storyline and the infamous Daenerys twist. Since the showrunners wanted Daenerys as the last big villain, they sidelined the other established threats. It is a reminder that even in the world of Ice and Fire, timing is everything.
All seasons of Game of Thrones are available to stream on Max.
