Game of Thrones was and will in all likelihood remain one of the most epic and thrilling fantasy series of all time. The fights, dragons, family betrayals, and insane plot twists are now seared in the minds of millions of fans around the world who tuned in for eight seasons to see who would sit atop the Iron Throne and be named ruler of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros (don’t worry, we’ll spare you the full title).

However, not everyone may know exactly how much each actor was paid for their tenure on the show. Given the high number of deaths that occur in the series (not all of which played out exactly as they did in the original books), some stars may have been caught by surprise and seen their character killed off much sooner than anticipated.

Here is how much each actor earned per episode. Will we get to see any of these actors ever again in anything exciting and that will lead to more huge paydays for them? Only time will tell.

20 Rose Leslie As Ygritte: $10,000 Per Episode

Jon Snow's true love, Ygritte the wildling, was only on Game of Thrones for three seasons (2-4) and quickly became memorable for her teasing of the leader of the Night's Watch and for her catchphrase: "You know nothing, Jon Snow." Fans went even more wild after Leslie and Kit Harington actually became a married couple. However, Leslie — who also starred on the hit series Downton Abbey — earned only about $10,000 per episode for her role, although this is just an estimate because of her short time on the show. According to celebritynetworth.com, Leslie has a net worth of roughly $4 million.

19 Natalia Tena As Osha: $10,000 Per Episode

Like Leslie, Natalia Tena's salary per episode on Thrones is just an approximation because of her short time on the show. Tena — who is also known for playing Nymphadora Tonks in the Harry Potter series — portrayed Freefolk Osha, who was allied with House Stark. She especially took much care of Bran and Rickon until Ramsay Bolton killed her in season 6. Tena's net worth is estimated to be $5 million.

18 Conleth Hill As Varys: $100,000 Per Episode

Lord Varys, the eunuch who was Tyrion Lannister's ever-present companion, served as a knowledgeable advisor who offered important warnings to many of the main characters on the show. Varys appeared in almost every single episode of the series and wasn't killed off until the penultimate episode, after he betrayed Daenerys. However, he wasn't considered a main character, so Conleth Hill only received $100,000 per episode.

17 John Bradley As Samwell Tarly: $100,000 Per Episode

If there is one beloved character in Game of Thrones, it's Sam. The Maester-in-training was a loyal friend to Jon Snow as a member of the Night's Watch and fought hard for the living until the bitter end. It was also ultimately him who revealed to Jon the truth about him being a Targaryen and thus having a rightful claim to the Iron Throne, so he can't be written off as totally unimportant. Bradley's salary is also an estimate.

16 Aidan Gillen As Petyr 'Littlefinger' Baelish: $100,000 Per Episode

Petyr 'Littlefinger' Baelish repeatedly proved to be one of the most devious characters on the entire series. However, he finally met his match in Season 7, when Sansa and Arya condemned him to death and the latter quickly but beautifully carried out the execution. Gillen is an Irish actor also known for his roles in the Maze Runner film series, Sing Street, Peaky Blinders, and The Wire. 

15 Gwendoline Christie As Brienne Of Tarth: $100,000 Per Episode

Brienne of Tarth is another incredibly honorable character on Game of Thrones who first entered the world of the show as a member of Renly Baratheon's Kingsguard. Brienne also had many major moments throughout the series but again, was not considered sufficiently crucial to earn as much as the show's top five stars. Christie is also known for her role as stormtrooper Captain Phasma in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. 

14 Nathalie Emmanuel As Missandei: $100,000 Per Episode

Scores of fans screamed in frustration when Nathalie Emmanuel's Missandei — Daenerys Targaryen's loyal adviser and translator and Grey Worm's lover — was executed by Cersei Lannister after Khaleesi's army approached King's Landing. Missandei started out as a slave and worked her way up the ranks to become a trusted & free member of Daenerys's inner circle. Despite appearing in six seasons, Emmanuel only earned $100,000 per episode for her role.

13 Rory McCann As Sandor 'The Hound' Clegane: $100,000 Per Episode

Sandor 'The Hound' Clegane delighted fans with his cantankerous attitude and foul mouth all throughout the series, during which he mainly complained about Arya Stark's decisions. His large burn marks on his forehead and large size only made him more intimidating. However, actor Rory McCann — who also recently played the villain Jurgen the Brutal in Jumanji: The Next Level — only earned $100,000 for appearing on the show.

12 Iain Glen As Jorah Mormont: $100,000 Per Episode

Jorah Mormont was a trusted member of Daenerys Targaryen's inner circle and even professed his love for her. He was one of the many who lost his life during the battle of the living against the dead, and Khaleesi unsurprisingly wept over his cadaver in that memorable episode. However, Iain Glen — who also plays Batman on the DC Universe web series Titans — only commanded as much as the previously named actors on Thrones. 

11 Natalie Dormer As Margaery Tyrell: $100,000 Per Episode

Margaery Tyrell was known for being a woman who, much like Sansa Stark, had terrible luck with husbands: Renly was in love with her brother, Joffrey was a monster, and Tommen was naive and inexperienced. She was one of the many people who Cersei Lannister killed by setting fire to the Sept of Baelor in Season 6. Dormer — who also appeared in The Hunger Games as Cressida — only received $100,000 per episode for playing Margaery.

10 Alfie Allen As Theon Greyjoy: $100,000 Per Episode

Theon Greyjoy was a character who fans had varying opinions of throughout the show, due to his changing allegiances. He betrayed House Stark, but he also redeemed himself by fighting valiantly against the dead and being eliminated by the Night King. He was also subjected to horrific torture and called 'Reek' by the sociopathic Ramsay Bolton. Allen — who has also appeared in John Wick and The Predator — earned an estimated $100,000 for playing Theon.

9 Richard Madden As Robb Stark: $175,000 Per Episode

Madden — a Scottish hunk you may also now know from his roles in 2015's Cinderella, the Netflix series Bodyguard, and the Elton John biopic musical Rocketman — only lasted three seasons on Thrones, as Robb Stark lost his life during "The Rains of Castamere" episode, when the Red Wedding was held. Madden is believed to have earned roughly $175,000 per episode and to have a net worth of around $6 million.

8 Isaac Hempstead Wright As Bran Stark: $175,000 Per Episode

Many fans were left confused and upset after the series finale revealed Bran — the crippled Stark boy who essentially predicted many of the show's occurrences and who served as the successor to the title of Three-Eyed Raven — would be named the Lord of the Six Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm. Wright, 20, who also appeared in The Awakening and The Boxtrolls, was paid $175,000 per episode for his role on Thrones. 

7 Sophie Turner As Sansa Stark: $175,000 Per Episode

Sansa Stark did not do any real fighting during the entire series, but she proved herself as a young woman determined to not let anyone trample all over her like she was in her younger years. Sophie Turner — who also appeared in the last X-Men movie Dark Phoenix and who is now also known for being married to Joe Jonas — received $175,000 per episode for her role on Thrones. And she is only 23 years old! (Only a year older than her bestie and maid of honor Maisie Williams.)

6 Maisie Williams As Arya Stark: $175,000 Per Episode

One might think that 22-year-old Maisie Williams, who played fierce Winterfell native Arya Stark, would earn a top payday since her character not only graduated from the Faceless Men's academy of deceit but also took out the Night King. However, Williams earned $175,000 per episode on Game of Thrones, not as much as the top five actors on the show. Perhaps she'll earn more in the future with other big roles?

5 Nikolaj Coster-Waldau As Jaime Lannister: $500,000 Per Episode

Known in the universe of Westeros as "the Kingslayer" and "Prince Charming" by fans of Game of Thrones, Jaime Lannister was known for being merciless, having an incestuous relationship with his diabolical sister Cersei, and treating Brienne of Tarth like dirt — among other things. Danish actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau — who also appeared in films like The Other Woman and Gods of Egypt — is one of the top five earners for his role on Thrones: he received a whopping half a million per episode.

4 Lena Headey As Cersei Lannister: $500,000 Per Episode

Cersei Lannister met her demise in the penultimate episode of Game of Thrones, "The Bells." As Daenerys rained hellfire on King's Landing, she and Jaime lost their lives together while the foundations of the castle crumbled all around them. Cersei was known for becoming especially villainous after all three of her children lose their lives. Headey — who has also starred in 300, Dredd, and Fighting With My Family — received $500,000 per episode for her time on the show, since she was considered one of the top five stars.

3 Peter Dinklage As Tyrion Lannister: $500,000 Per Episode

You may have first known him for his role as the midget Miles in Elf, but since then, Peter Dinklage has won the hearts of many for his role as the witty and prostitute-obsessed Tyrion Lannister on Game of Thrones. For playing the Master of Coin and eventual member of Daenerys Targaryen's inner circle, Dinklage — the sole American actor among Thrones's main cast — earned $500,000.

2 Kit Harington As Jon Snow: $500,000 Per Episode

Kit Harington also starred and executive produced the BBC One historical drama mini series Gunpowder, and appeared in films like Pompeii and How to Train Your Dragon. However, he will most likely forever be remembered by many as Night's Watch Lord Commander Jon Snow, the "crow" who was for long believed to be a bastard son of Ned Stark but in fact was Aegon Targaryen, the rightful heir to the Iron Throne. Harrington earned $500,000 per episode for his role as Jon Snow.

1 Emilia Clarke As Daenerys Targaryen: $500,000 Per Episode

Daenerys Targaryen proved to be one of the most important characters on the show from beginning to end. Khaleesi appeared to constantly waver from being a kind and compassionate leader to a merciless ruler, and her death at the hands of Jon Snow in the series finale broke the hearts of many. It's therefore no surprise that 33-year-old Emilia Clarke also earned a top payday for this iconic role as the mother of Dragons.