14. Daenerys Was Played By Someone Entirely Different In The Pilot
Considering how perfectly Emilia Clarke fit into the role of the Mother Of Dragons - growing into the performance as the character herself blossomed - it's unimaginable to think that she wasn't the first choice to play the role. In the pilot the young Targaryen was played by Tamzin Merchant, who had played a role alongside Natalie Dormer in Tudors, and who was moved out of the role in time for the show's green-lighting. Her scenes were reshot with Clarke. Was It A Good Change? Without question: Emilia Clarke's performance - all wide-eyed and innocent at the start and giving way to a stoney, formidable strength of conviction, licked with powerful cruelty against her enemies - is a joy to watch.