Game of Thrones, which first aired 10 years ago on HBO, received record viewership and amassed a mammoth following over the course of its eight-season run. Although the last season was slammed by fans and critics alike, the show remains one of the most popular fantasy TV series of all time. It launched several actors to global stardom overnight and changed their lives forever, including that of Peter Dinklage, who played the role of Tryion Lannister.
Dinklage, whose net worth has skyrocketed since he first accepted the role of Tyrion, initially had reservations about signing on to play the youngest Lannister sibling. Fans can’t image the show without him now, but it very nearly could’ve been another actor playing the iconic role of Tyrion. Keep reading to find out why Peter Dinklage almost turned down the role of Tyrion Lannister and how he found the experience of being on the show.
The Role Of Tyrion Lannister
For Game of Thrones fans, Tyrion Lannister needs no introduction. For those who aren’t familiar with the show, Tyrion is the youngest brother of the three Lannister siblings, heirs to House Lannister and their home of Casterly Rock. While the Lannisters are known throughout Westeros for being ruthless, dishonest, and a little bit evil, Tyrion is arguably the only genuine Lannister, known instead for his good heart.
Tyrion is one of the most popular characters on the show, loved for his quick wit, wisdom, and compassion. And now than fans have fallen in love with Tyrion, it’s impossible to imagine him ever being played by another actor. But originally, Peter Dinklage was hesitant about signing on to play Tyrion.
Why Peter Dinklage Was Hesitant
In a Reddit ‘Ask Me Anything’ session, Peter Dinklage revealed that he was initially a little apprehensive about playing Tyrion. And it all came down to Game of Thrones being a fantasy series.
“I had one hesitation, because of the fantasy genre, I told [David Benioff] I didn’t want a really long beard and pointy shoes, and they assured me this character and this world wasn’t that,” Dinklage wrote on the platform. “They told me about his complexity, the fact that he wasn’t a hero or a villain, that he was a womanizer and a drinker, and they painted a flawed and beautiful portrait of him, so I signed on.”
Indeed, Tyrion Lannister isn’t a stereotypical fantasy dwarf with a long beard and pointy shoes. He’s one of the most compelling characters in the show.
His Prior Experience In Hollywood With Being Stereotyped
Unfortunately, Dinklage’s hesitation didn’t come from nowhere. By the time he agreed to play Tyrion, he had already had lots of experience in Hollywood being stereotyped. In an interview with The New York Times, he revealed that he almost turned down Game of Thrones because he was so used to being expected to play a cartoonish dwarf figure.
“Dwarves in these genres always have this look. My guard was up,” he explained (via Mental Floss). “Not even my guard—my metal fence, my barbed wire was up. Even The Lord of the Rings had dwarf-tossing jokes in it."
Bringing Tyrion To Life
We speak for all Game of Thrones fans when we say how lucky we are that Dinklage did decide to give Game of Thrones a chance. Thanks to his talent and understanding of the character, he was able to bring Tyrion to life. He has also received critical acclaim for his role as Tyrion, winning four Emmys for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. He was also nominated for the award for every single season of the show’s eight-season run.
His Experience On The GoT Set
Not only did Game of Thrones turn out to be a great move for Dinklage’s career, but it was also a good move for his personal happiness. He has revealed multiple times that he had a blast on the set of Game of Thrones, including during his acceptance speech for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2019.
“I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I knew that David and Dan were quite brilliant,” he said in his speech (via Deadline). “We did nothing but sweat, we did nothing but laugh. Dave and Dan, we literally walked through fire and ice for you—literally—and I would do it all again in a heartbeat.”
His Relationship With The Cast
Dinklage also has a very positive relationship with his Game of Thrones cast members. In the special feature The Cast Remembers, the actor said he was “very fortunate to work with the greatest cast.” He went on to explain that everyone on set was so professional, kind, and generous to their fellow actors.
Interestingly, Dinklage is also close friends with Lena Headey in real life, who plays his loathsome sister and arch enemy Cersei Lannister on the show.