Forget Emilia Clarke—Here’s the Unexpected Top Earner from ‘Game of Thrones’

Game of Thrones, HBO’s epic fantasy series, became a global phenomenon after its debut in 2011. Based on George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire books, the show captivated audiences with its complex characters, brutal political intrigue, and shocking plot twists. Over the course of eight seasons, Game of Thrones generated significant profits for HBO, and its main cast members were well-compensated for their contributions.

The series, which chronicles the power struggles of noble families in the fictional continent of Westeros, saw its budget rise dramatically over the years. Initially estimated at $6 million per episode in the early seasons, the budget swelled to $15 million by the time the show reached its final season. As a result, the paychecks for the primary cast members grew accordingly, making Game of Thrones one of the highest-paying shows on television.

Fans might naturally assume that the top earners for the series would be Emilia Clarke and Kit Harington, given their roles as Daenerys Targaryen and Jon Snow, respectively. However, it turns out there was another actor who earned more than both of them.

Reports reveal that in the seventh season, the five main stars—Clarke, Harington, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister), Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister), and Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister)—were paid $500,000 per episode. By the eighth and final season, their salaries had increased significantly, with each star earning $1.2 million per episode.

Despite being a fan favorite, Emilia Clarke, who portrayed the iconic Daenerys Targaryen, earned $13 million over the course of her tenure on the show. Kit Harington, who played Jon Snow, earned a slightly lower total of $12 million. But neither of them came out on top. That honor went to Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, whose character Jaime Lannister had more screen time than most of his co-stars, resulting in a higher paycheck. Coster-Waldau earned a total of $16 million, making him the highest-paid member of the main cast.

Peter Dinklage, who portrayed Tyrion Lannister and delivered some of the show’s most memorable performances, earned $15 million, placing him in second place in terms of overall earnings.

While Game of Thrones may have had its ups and downs, especially with its controversial final season, it’s clear that the main cast members were compensated handsomely for their roles in bringing the story of Westeros to life. For Coster-Waldau, his frequent appearances and crucial storyline made him the top earner, proving that sometimes, screen time can translate directly into significant financial reward.