Game Of Thrones: 20 Greatest Performances
5. Alfie Allen - Theon Greyjoy
Alfie Allen is Game of Thrones' most underrated performer.
Considering that Theon Greyjoy was one of the hardest roles in the entire thing - he went from villain, to traumatised victim, to a heroic, redeemed figure - Alfie Allen did an absolutely amazing job.
As a villain, he was infuriating but always understandable and never entirely hateful, which is always the mark of a great bad guy. As a victim, he provided an astonishing depiction of trauma and his facial acting was superb.
By the time Theon Greyjoy died - and he actually got the right ending, unlike many of the characters who survived to season eight - he was a sympathetic, human figure and it was easy to forget all the terrible things he did back in season two.
Theon had a great character arc to begin with and casting Alfie Allen was a goldmine, since he realised every step of Theon's journey in such a brilliant, emotionally-engaging way.