Game of Thrones is widely regarded as one of the best-cast television shows of all time. With its massive ensemble cast, the series seemed to find the perfect actors to bring each character to life. Interestingly, many of the star actors originally auditioned for different roles before landing their iconic parts. While missing out on a leading role can be a huge disappointment for actors, Game of Thrones excelled at creating well-developed minor characters that made a lasting impression.

One such ironic casting situation occurred with Iwan Rheon, who auditioned for the role of Jon Snow but ended up playing the despicable Ramsay Bolton.

Rheon's portrayal of Ramsay garnered praise, and he is often considered one of the best TV villains ever. Rheon himself acknowledges that he was better suited for the role of Ramsay and believes it would have been a very different Jon Snow had he been cast.

Another actor who almost played Jon Snow was Alfie Allen. However, the casting team felt that he wasn't quite right for the character and instead cast him as Theon Greyjoy. Allen's performance as Theon was exceptional, particularly in seasons 3 and 4, making it hard to imagine him in any other role.

Joe Dempsie, too, auditioned for the role of Jon Snow but ended up as Robert Baratheon's bastard, Gendry.

Dempsie's character shares similarities with Jon Snow, especially in later seasons, but Kit Harington's portrayal of Jon Snow was so exceptional that it's difficult to picture anyone else in that role.

Carice Van Houten initially auditioned for the role of Cersei Lannister but turned it down due to scheduling conflicts. She eventually joined the cast as the enigmatic Melisandre, delivering a nuanced performance. Similarly, Natalie Dormer auditioned for Melisandre but ultimately played Margaery Tyrell, a role she excelled in. Both actresses acknowledged that the casting decisions were spot-on.

Conan Stevens, who stands at 7-foot-tall, was initially considered for the role of Khal Drogo but was ultimately cast as the Mountain.

The role of Khal Drogo went to Jason Momoa, who brought intensity and physicality to the character that few others could match.

Liam Cunningham auditioned for a different, unrevealed role in the first season before being cast as Davos Seaworth in season 2. Cunningham's portrayal of Davos made him one of the most likable characters in the series, and his authentic performance earned him a lasting place in the show.

Conleth Hill missed out on the role of King Robert Baratheon but was offered the part of Varys instead. Hill's portrayal of the conniving Varys was outstanding and lasted for all eight seasons of the show.

While missing out on the role he initially sought may have seemed like a disappointment, Hill ultimately enjoyed a lucrative and successful run on Game of Thrones.

Finally, Eugene Simon auditioned for the role of Joffrey Baratheon but ended up playing Lancel Lannister. While Joffrey became one of the most despised characters in television history, Simon's portrayal of Lancel as a whimpering Lannister cousin and later as one of the Sparrows was well-received.

In the end, Game of Thrones had the perfect cast for each character, but it is still fun to imagine what certain actors would have looked like in different roles.

The show's well-constructed, complex minor characters added depth and richness to the series, making it one of the most memorable television experiences of all time.