'Stranger Things' Star Once Rejected for 'Game of Thrones' Role — But She Has No Regrets

Although Game of Thrones gained a controversial reputation in its later years, being part of the series always opened the door to major roles in film and television, and there could be hundreds or even thousands of candidates for each new part.

One of those auditioning, in fact, was Millie Bobby Brown, who would later play one of the main roles in Netflix’s Stranger Things — she never got into Game of Thrones, but landed her breakout role just a couple of years later.

Millie Bobby Brown Auditioned for the Role of Lyanna Mormont

The actress spoke about it a few years ago — landing a role in Game of Thrones was a dream for Brown, who at the time had no idea how successful Stranger Things would become for her. According to Brown, she was deeply discouraged when she didn’t get the part of Lyanna Mormont, though even at a young age she understood that rejection is something almost all young actors face constantly in the film industry.

In the end, everything worked out — a few years later, she played Eleven, the role that brought her international recognition. Meanwhile, the part of Lyanna in Game of Thrones went to Bella Ramsey, who has since become even more famous thanks to another HBO hit — the post-apocalyptic drama The Last of Us.

Another Game of Thrones Actress Nearly Took Bella Ramsey’s Role in The Last of Us

Coincidence or not, another star of the epic series based on George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire also auditioned for the role of Ellie before Bella Ramsey was cast. Plans for the game adaptation began well before the first season aired, and one of the earliest contenders for the lead role was Maisie Williams, who played Arya Stark in Game of Thrones.

The producers of the then-developing project themselves approached Williams, but by the time the writing process began, she was already too old to portray a 14-year-old girl.

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