Today, the former Stark clan is scattered across the world's major film franchises—from "Eternals" to "X-Men." Although some remain actors known for a single role in the audience's perception. Let's take a closer look at their transformation.
Source:
imdb.com
Sophie Turner – Sansa Stark
In the first season of Game of Thrones, which premiered in 2011 on HBO, Sansa Stark is a naive 11-year-old girl dreaming of a charming prince and life in the capital. However, a series of betrayals quickly shatters her illusions: her father's execution before her eyes, humiliations from Joffrey, a strategic marriage to Tyrion, Littlefinger's manipulations, and a marriage to the sadist Ramsay Bolton.Each trial strengthens Sansa's character. By the sixth season, there is no trace of the romantic girl; she has become a skilled political player, calculating everything several moves ahead. Her journey culminates in triumph as she becomes the first independent Queen of the North, achieving the separation of her lands from the Seven Kingdoms.
After Game of Thrones, Sophie Turner's career developed unevenly. Probably her most notable role is Jean Grey in two films of the "X-Men" franchise ("Apocalypse" 2016 and "Dark Phoenix" 2019). The latter became one of Disney's biggest flops in recent years.
After the divorce, Sophie immersed herself in her profession: in September 2024, the miniseries "Joan" starring Turner premiered on The CW. In February of the same year, it was announced that Sophie would reunite with her former Game of Thrones co-star Kit Harington for the horror film "The Cursed Knight".
Maisie Williams – Arya Stark
Arya, the youngest daughter of House Stark, began as the tale of a rebellious tomboy who preferred sword training and archery to traditional female pursuits. After her father's execution, Arya is swept into the whirlwind of war: she wanders under false names, witnesses inhuman cruelty, and learns to kill. Avenging her father's killers becomes the main goal of her life.A key turning point in the character's development is her training in Braavos with the Faceless Men. After her training, Arya becomes a cold-blooded avenger, methodically crossing names off her "death list." Despite this, she never completely loses her identity and, in a critical moment, chooses family over serving the Many-Faced God.
After "Game of Thrones," Maisie Williams's career progressed steadily but without major breakthroughs. Things could have changed with her role as Rahne Sinclair in the film "The New Mutants" (2020). FOX envisioned it as a bold experiment—the first superhero horror film, aiming for a new trilogy and possibly an entire line of horror films based on Marvel comics.
Following this, Maisie played the punk icon Jordan in the biographical series "Pistol" (2022). In 2024, she appeared in the Apple TV+ series "New Look: Fashion Revolution" as Catherine Dior. Both projects received positive audience reviews.
As for her personal life, the actress remains quite private. During the "Game of Thrones" era, she dated race car driver Ollie Jackson for three years and was in a nearly five-year relationship with Ruben Shelby, the founder of The Contact Agency, before breaking up in February 2023.
Isaac Hempstead-Wright – Bran Stark
Isaac Hempstead-Wright played Bran Stark, the penultimate son of the Starks. In the first season, he is a curious boy who loves climbing the castle walls. After a fall from a tower (not by his own will – he witnessed others' secrets), Bran can no longer walk. In return, he develops supernatural abilities: he becomes a warg (able to inhabit animals) and sees scenes from the past and future.The journey beyond the Wall transforms him into the Three-Eyed Raven – a being capable of seeing all of humanity's history and influencing the past. This gift gradually erases Bran's humanity – he loses his identity. Bran becomes the king of the Six Kingdoms under the name Bran the Broken.
As of now, Isaac has stepped back from acting. In 2019, he began studying neuroscience at University College London. It's not surprising: back in 2016, the actor admitted he was interested in science, especially particle physics. He has noticeably matured, leads a rather private life (although he has more than 800,000 followers), but seems happy with how his life has turned out.
Art Parkinson – Rickon Stark
Art Parkinson played Rickon Stark, the youngest of Ned and Catelyn Stark's children and the least developed. Rickon was only three years old when the series began. After Theon Greyjoy captured Winterfell, Rickon fled north with Bran. Later, their paths diverged: Bran went beyond the Wall, while Rickon and the wildling Osha sought refuge with the Umbers.He last appears in the sixth season, where he becomes a pawn in a political game. Ramsay Bolton uses him as bait in the "Battle of the Bastards." Rickon is killed by Ramsay's arrow in front of Jon Snow.
Since then, little has been heard about Art Parkinson. He voiced the main character in the animated film 'Kubo and the Two Strings' (2016), starred in the drama 'I Kill Giants' (2017), and played the lead role in the Irish independent film 'The Belly of the Whale' (2018). In 2024, he appeared in the acclaimed series 'Say Nothing,' which told about the dark chapters in Northern Ireland's history.
Richard Madden – Robb Stark
Richard Madden played Robb Stark, the eldest son of Ned Stark. After his father's execution, he becomes the new Lord of Winterfell and is proclaimed King in the North. An inexperienced and passionate young man, he becomes a talented commander. He didn't lose a single battle, earning the nickname "The Young Wolf." It was not military strategy errors but political miscalculations and matters of the heart that led to his downfall.A key turning point in the character's fate occurs in the third season – breaking his vow to House Frey. Instead of an arranged marriage, he weds for love, marrying Talisa, a field nurse. This decision leads to the tragic outcome at the "Red Wedding," where Robb, his wife, and their unborn child are killed.
After Robb's tragic end, it seems Madden's career has fared the best compared to the other Stark children. He played the lead role in the British drama "Bodyguard" (2018) alongside Keeley Hawes and was awarded a "Golden Globe" for it. Notably, he appeared in the war drama "1917" by Sam Mendes and "Rocketman" (both released in 2019).
The actor has yet to find a life partner. According to WDW, he had brief romances with model Suki Waterhouse, actor Brandon Flynn, and TV star Laura Whitmore. He dated actress Ellie Bamber for about three years. Currently, he prefers to keep his personal life private.
Kit Harington – Jon Snow
Kit Harington played Jon Snow – the alleged bastard of Ned Stark for most of the series and one of the key characters throughout the saga. At the beginning of the story, he is an outcast destined to leave for the Wall and join the Night's Watch forever.In the Watch, he rises from a regular member to the Lord Commander, has a romance with the wildling Ygritte, who makes him question the established boundaries and traditions, dies, is resurrected, and finally learns who he really is – not a bastard, but the legitimate heir to the Iron Throne.
Also, in 2022, HBO began work on a "Game of Thrones" spin-off dedicated solely to Jon Snow. However, it was canceled in April 2024. Kit himself explained why:
Perhaps some people still don't see Kit in any role other than Jon Snow. So what? Moreover, the HBO hit brought him not just fame but also love. During the filming of the second season, amidst the picturesque landscapes of Iceland, he became enamored with actress Rose Leslie, who played the wildling Ygritte – their characters' feelings transferred into real life.I couldn't find a suitable story, something worthwhile that would bring me back to the character and help maintain that state. The longer we worked on it, the less sense it made, so we abandoned our plans.
They married on June 23, 2018. In February 2021, they had a son, and in July 2023, a daughter. Harington himself says that meeting Rose was the most important part of his work on GoT. Although there were some spots on this sun: in April 2022, Leslie openly shared with Harper’s Bazaar about Kit's struggle with alcoholism.
Michelle Fairley – Catelyn Stark
Michelle Fairley played Catelyn Stark, the wife of Ned Stark and mother of his five children. Her arc is the story of a mother who loses everything while trying to protect her family. After her husband's execution, Catelyn becomes the chief advisor to her son Robb in the war against the Lannisters.Every decision she makes is driven by the desire to save her children: she captures Tyrion, believing him responsible for the attempt on Bran's life, releases Jaime Lannister in the hope of exchanging him for her daughters, and tries to prevent Robb's fatal political mistakes. But it's all in vain: her journey, at least in the series, ends at the Red Wedding.
Sean Bean – Eddard Stark
Sean Bean played Eddard (Ned) Stark, the head of House Stark and the Warden of the North. His character is a man of absolute honor. Being appointed as the Hand of the King forces him to leave his native North and plunge into the intrigues of King's Landing. Key moments of his story.His execution in the ninth episode of the first season becomes a turning point for the entire series (and adds to the collection of films where Sean Bean's character dies). Ned's legacy continues to live on in his children: Robb and Jon adopt his notions of honor, Arya inherits his fighting spirit, Sansa learns from his political mistakes, and Bran inherits his place as the keeper of the North's memory.
'Game of Thrones' changed not only the perception of TV series but also the fates of its actors. Some soared to the heights of fame, some found themselves in independent cinema, and others chose a quiet, private life. But they all will forever remain in history as members of one of the most famous film families.
