24 replies to this topic

[KCenturion]

As of Season 1, there were 19 actors billed on the opening credits as part of the main cast. Four of them have sadly passed.

Will they promote any other actors for top billing for Season 2?
Who do you think? Will anyone get demoted?

For your viewing pleasure:
Cersei Lannister
Joffrey Baratheon
Robert Baratheon
Sandor Clegane
Daenerys Targaryren
Drogo
Jorah Mormont
Viserys Targaryen
Jaime Lannister
Petyr Baelish
Tyrion Lannister
Arya Stark
Bran Stark
Catelyn Tully
Eddard Stark
Jon Snow
Robb Stark
Sansa Stark
Theon Greyjoy

I'm thinking Stannis, Melisandre & Davos will have a lot of scenes so are they obvious candidates?

Edited by KCenturion, 31 January 2012 - 06:04 PM.

[Corvinus]

Most likely those three. And maybe Dolorous Edd.

[KCenturion]

Dolorous Edd over Samwell?

[Crown]

Stannis, Davos, Melisandre, Renly and Brienne.

[PatrickStormborn]

Stannis and Melisandre will definitely be listed in the opening credits, and Davos too. I'm not sure about any of the others. Maybe Renly and Margaery? They might also consider Varys to be a main character if they keep a lot of his interaction with Tyrion.

[Ser Ilyn's Tongue]

I pretty much agree with everything that's been said thus far.  I think Stannis, Davos and Melisandre are the main contenders as well, but Renly and Margaery are possible too.

Samwell, Brienne and Yara/Asha will surely be promoted in the future, but maybe not just yet.  Depending on what sort of direction the show takes I can see Ygritte and Jeyne Westerling being promoted also.

Is anyone else surprised that Varys isn't already on the opening credits?  Maybe Pycelle too?

[Crown]

Ser Ilyn, on 14 February 2012 - 07:48 AM, said:

I pretty much agree with everything that's been said thus far.  I think Stannis, Davos and Melisandre are the main contenders as well, but Renly and Margaery are possible too.

Samwell, Brienne and Yara/Asha will surely be promoted in the future, but maybe not just yet.  Depending on what sort of direction the show takes I can see Ygritte and Jeyne Westerling being promoted also.

Is anyone else surprised that Varys isn't already on the opening credits?  Maybe Pycelle too?

Yeah, Varys not being mentioned in the opening credits surprised me aswell. He might be added this season.

[Peasant Rebel Leader]

Maybe Renly since ... well you know. What does it exactly mean to appear in the opening credits? More Money? Or is it just an (empty) gesture? enlighten me, people

If it's the latter, then it probably mostly depends on how much space there's left on the already crowded opening scenes. But who reads the actors name when there's such a beautiful map in the background.

Edited by Peasant Rebel Leader, 14 February 2012 - 06:13 PM.

[Hear Us Roar]

Davos and Theon are the most necessary to have their own tale

davos can tell the meli and stannis story

Theon can tell the iron born story
Jon tells the Wall story
Cat and Rob tell the war story and Aya tells her tale

maybe a bit of kings landing but that is it

Edited by Hear Us Roar, 15 February 2012 - 03:47 AM.

[opark77]

Peasant Rebel Leader, on 14 February 2012 - 06:12 PM, said:

Maybe Renly since ... well you know. What does it exactly mean to appear in the opening credits? More Money? Or is it just an (empty) gesture? enlighten me, people

If it's the latter, then it probably mostly depends on how much space there's left on the already crowded opening scenes. But who reads the actors name when there's such a beautiful map in the background.

If an actor is in the opening credits it means they are contracted for the whole season. They will probably be in the majority of the episodes and get paid for the season as a whole. It is part of Screen Actors Guild credit system for television. They get called series regulars / starring cast. The other rungs on this ladder are Special Guest Stars, Guest Stars and Co-stars with all 3 getting contracted and paid per episode and the Special Guest Stars getting the best rate. Series regulars typically get paid more than a guest star would for appearing in all 10 episodes. It looks better on their CV to say I was a series regular in this. It makes them eligible for ensemble cast awards with some awards ceremonies too.

Based on their trailer voice-overs I would guess Stannis and Varys are there. I think Davos, Renly, Margaery, Melisandre, Sam, Brienne and Balon are in with a shot. They have issued promo images of Brienne, Balon, Stannis, Melisandre and Davos which is unusual for non-starring cast members before a season begins. Guest stars tend to be promoted in relation to the episode they first appear in while the pre-season build up concentrates on the starring cast. Patrick Malahide and Natalie Dormer are the bigger name additions so are likely to be able to negotiate for a starring role on the strength of their CV. Someone like John Bradley (Sam) is in a weaker position to negotiate based on his work before the series but a much stronger position based on the source material.

Edited by opark77, 15 February 2012 - 08:00 PM.

[WenchofTarth]

Balon Greyjoy really wasn't in the book that much so unless HBO is planning on expanding his character I don't see him getting his name in

[Anwar]

Harry Lloyd was killed off halfway through the first season but his name was in the opening credits.

[WenchofTarth]

Viserys had much larger time in GoT, Balon as I recall was only in two of Theon's POVs in CoK.  The second as only a minor player at that.  Doesn't really rise to the level of an important character.

[Anwar]

Sorry, what I meant was that if Harry Lloyd could get credit billing despite being in little more than half the show then Renly should also get that since he'll last for awhile too.

[Skeksi]

Really, I think Varys should be promoted to main cast (I think it should have been done last season, TBH, especially given that Sandor Clegane, who was mostly in the background, was main cast, as was Viserys, who died half way through the season, but oh well). Given that Tyrion is the closest thing to a central character for this series, and he and Varys interact a lot, unless they cut out a lot of that, I really think he should come forward.

Aside from Varys, going by the source material, I reckon Davos and Stannis should really be main credits, POSSIBLY Melisandre as well. I'd agree that Brienne should have main credit next season, but for this series, depending on if they expand her role, I don't think it's necessary- same with Renly and Margaery. That said, Natalie Dormer is fairly well known, and might get credit for that reason.

Basically, it's very hard to say without knowing how much certain roles will be expanded/ cut down, but I think Varys should be, and I'd be surprised if Davos and Stannis weren't.

[WenchofTarth]

Anwar, on 16 February 2012 - 03:45 PM, said:

Sorry, what I meant was that if Harry Lloyd could get credit billing despite being in little more than half the show then Renly should also get that since he'll last for awhile too.

Ah,in that case sure.  I'd go for it will be Stannis, Mel, Davos, Brienne, Renly and Samwell

[Anwar]

I wonder who will get top billing now, since Sean Bean and Mark Addy are both off the cast list (and also were the first two names on the opening credits).

[WenchofTarth]

Well Ned Stark was the only one I think you could call the "main character" in this series, Once CoK starts that isn't really the case any longer.  To me you should just avoid the whole question and just list the names in alphabetical order.

[7V3N]

Stannis, Mel, Samwell, Davos, Tywin, Asha, Brienne

Edited by The Shadow Fox, 22 February 2012 - 03:10 PM.

[boojam]

Actually I was wondering who would get top billing now that Bean is gone?
Peter Dinklage because of his Emmy and Globe?