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Understanding the Game of Thrones Cast Salaries
Have you ever wondered how much the stars of Game of Thrones were paid per episode? The hit HBO series, based on George R.R. Martin’s novels, has been a financial success for both the actors and the network. Let’s delve into the details of the cast’s earnings and the factors that influenced them.
Base Salary and Perks
The cast of Game of Thrones received a base salary for each episode they appeared in. The initial salaries for the main cast members were relatively modest, but they increased significantly over the course of the series. Here’s a breakdown of the base salaries and some of the perks they received:
| Actor | Base Salary per Episode | Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen) | $150,000 | Health insurance, retirement plan |
| Kit Harington (Jon Snow) | $125,000 | Health insurance, retirement plan |
| Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister) | $100,000 | Health insurance, retirement plan |
| Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister) | $75,000 | Health insurance, retirement plan |
| Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister) | $50,000 | Health insurance, retirement plan |
As the series progressed, the salaries of the main cast members increased. By the final season, Emilia Clarke was earning $1 million per episode, while Kit Harington and Lena Headey were each making $500,000 per episode. Peter Dinklage and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau continued to receive their initial salaries, although they were still substantial.
Performance Bonuses
In addition to their base salaries, the cast members received performance bonuses. These bonuses were based on various factors, including the number of episodes they appeared in, their performance, and the success of the show. Here’s a breakdown of the performance bonuses for the main cast members:
| Actor | Performance Bonus per Episode |
|---|---|
| Emilia Clarke | $50,000 |
| Kit Harington | $25,000 |
| Lena Headey | $25,000 |
| Peter Dinklage | $10,000 |
| Nikolaj Coster-Waldau | $10,000 |
These performance bonuses added to the overall earnings of the cast members, making their salaries even more impressive. For example, Emilia Clarke’s total earnings per episode were approximately $1.25 million, while Kit Harington’s were around $1.125 million.
Other Cast Members
The supporting cast of Game of Thrones also received salaries, although they were generally lower than those of the main cast members. Here’s a breakdown of the salaries for some of the key supporting actors:
| Actor | Base Salary per Episode |
|---|---|
| Sansa Stark | $50,000 |
| Arya Stark | $50,000 |
| Bran Stark | $50,000 |
