Game of Thrones Stars In and Out of Costume: See the Cast's Epic Transformations

Game of Thrones returns Sunday, July 16 at 9 p.m. on HBO

By Lauren Piester Jul 06, 2017 12:30 PMTags

Of all the shows on TV, Game of Thrones is probably the best at transforming its actors to the point where they're basically unrecognizable. 

With all the period clothes, the often very specific hair styles, the facial scars, and a large amount of dirt, it's hard to spot the actor in the character sometimes. And other times, it's just shocking to find out what the stars of Game of Thrones actually look like when they're not at war for the Iron Throne. 

To celebrate the show's return on July 16, scroll on down to find out what all your favorite characters actually look like! 

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Richard Dormer as Beric Dondarrion

The leader of the Brotherhood Without Banners actually has two eyes in real life. 

Nathalie Emmanuel as Missandei

Dany's handmaiden is gorgeous no matter what, to be honest. 

John Bradley as Samwell Tarly

Sam somehow looks the same but also way cooler off screen. 

Hannah Murray as Gilly

Gilly would be delightfully shocked to see how good she cleans up. 

Ellie Kendrick as Meera Reed

Here's hoping Meera and Bran get out of the snow sometime soon so they don't have to wear those heavy furs anymore. 

Kristofer Hivju as Tormund

Tormund somehow manages to look exactly the same whether he's in skins or a suit, to the point where he played a hacker in Fate of the Furious and we refuse to accept that his name was anything other than Tormund the Hacker. 

Conleth Hill as Varys

Varys...with hair?! Is it weird that we're weirded out? 

Indira Varma as Ellaria Sand

Letting go of Ellaria's anger and grudges makes Indira absolutely flawless in real life.

Michiel Huisman as Daario Naharis

Onscreen or off, this dude is a regulation hottie.

Iwan Rheon as Ramsay Bolton

We'll never be able to trust Iwan in real life thanks to Ramsay's evil actions on the show, but he does clean up real well!

Jacob Anderson as Grey Worm

We love Grey Worm as Dany's most trusted warrior, but off screen, Anderson looks way more fun to hang out with. Just look at that smile!

Liam Cunningham as Davos Seaworth

Stannis' righthand man looks so much younger and happier in real life!

Thomas Wlaschiha as Jaqen H'ghar

A man should keep the face he has, because it's super attractive.

Iain Glen as Jorah Mormont

Not a single spot of greyscale to be seen!

Kit Harington as Jon Snow

He knows nothing.

Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen

Without her trademark blond hair, the Mother of Dragons is practically unrecognizable in real life.

Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark

It's just so nice to see Sansa smiling happily, even if we have to take a trip to reality to see it happen. 

 

Maisie Williams as Arya Stark

She's the scrappy tomboy taking her survival into her own hands, but IRL, Williams looks a lot less like she could bake men into meat pies. 

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister

The Kingslayer looks very fine locked up and dirty or all cleaned up.

Rory McCann as Sandor Clegane

Without the steely stare, long hair and unfortunate facial burn, the Hound looks downright lovable. 

Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister

To think you could pass by one of TV's most vicious queens on the street and never even know it!

Gwendoline Christie as Brienne of Tarth

Brienne may have lived a life of torment because she didn't fit the Seven Kingdoms' standards of beauty and femininity, but she's actually stunning both on and off the show. 

Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister

All gussied up and accepting awards, the actor's looking quite suave out of armor and in a tux.

Alfie Allen as Theon Greyjoy

Let us blow your mind for a second. This Ironborn son is real-life brother to British pop singer Lily Allen. Whoa.

Carice Van Houten as Melisandre

Frankly, we hardly recognize the Red Priestess when she's not birthing Stannis Baratheon's shadow assassin baby in a dark cave.

Aiden Gillen as Petyr Baelish

The actor steps out looking innocently nothing at all like the scheming mustache-twirling Littlefinger.

Isaac Hempstead Wright as Bran Stark

Smiling and happy offscreen, this young star doesn't look at all like he's been pulled through the snow for 17 years (give or take). 

Stephen Dillane as Stannis Baratheon

Whoa, this King looks completely unrecognizable without the wear and tear of a Westeros war!

Michelle Fairley as Catelyn Stark

RIP Mama Stark, who almost never got a chance to look this happy on screen. 

Dean-Charles Chapman as Tommen Baratheon

This young king looks way more confident and mature in real life than he did on the show. 

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View More Photos From Game of Thrones Stars In & Out of Costume

Whose transformation is the most shocking?

Game of Thrones returns Sunday, July 16 at 9 p.m. on HBO.