Game of Thrones is widely considered one of the most captivating epics to ever grace the small screen. The show is a cultural phenomenon boasting a devoted fan following and a virtually unrivaled internet presence. Most would argue that GoT’s narrative depth, complex characterization, and attention to detail far exceeds most shows currently on air

Though Game of Thrones expects and demands a high level of talent when it comes to its impressive ensemble, many fans feel that certain actors have not lived up the characters George R.R. Martin created.

While no one denies Peter Dinklage’s perfection as Tyrion Lannister or Lena Headey’s incomparable performance as Cersei, certain actors have received quite the backlash for their performances, and the ways in which they have chosen to depict Martin’s beloved characters.

You may be surprised to discover that, after scrolling through many a Reddit forum, Quora post, Youtube comments space, and blog, a few main cast members – who are often exalted in the press – comprise some of the cast members that some fans deem “least talented.” They are as follows: Kit Harington, Emilia Clarke, and Sophie Turner.

Why Many fans consider Kit Harington and Emilia Clarke to be the weakest actors in ‘Game of Thrones’

Many would argue that Kit Harington and Emilia Clarke’s narrative arcs are responsible for a great deal of the show’s captivating appeal. How could it be that the two actors who portray such vital characters have been deemed “less talented?” Let’s first remember that the cast consists of individuals who are all competent performers; meaning, the competition is fierce. So, little quirks or decisions that fans feel are out of place go a long way in sculpting opinions.

In reference to Emilia Clarke, fans argue that the actress was picked for her look, as opposed to her acting ability. They go on to state that her blank expressions, witnessed in many scenes, come off as “bizarre.” Many feel that Emilia Clarke’s acting style falls short and seems to retain a sense of apathy or lack of concern for the work at hand.

One fan even argues, regarding Emilia Clarke, “She is the biggest dud in the Game of Thrones cast. She could never transform from the week diminutive girl of first season into an authoritative queen.”

Kit Harington, similar to Emilia Clarke, was thrown into the world of Game of Thrones almost immediately following acting school. While fans understand that Jon Snow is supposed to be reserved, one fan argues, “I think Kit sometimes exaggerates it by being too emotionless and I also think that his forced deep and raspy voice gets quite annoying after a while.”

What’s most interesting about Kit Harington is that many fans feel his depiction is spot-on, flawlessly bringing to life the man who is not supposed to be emotive. Equally large groups of fans argue that he is the best and the worst actor on the show.

Concerning Clarke, there is a greater consensus regarding the way she chooses to portray certain emotions, and many fans of the novel argue that her disposition is not quite a match for the character. Fans also seem to concur that Kit has improved with time, while Emilia Clarke has lost her initial flair.  

Fans who argue Sophie Turner is the least talented actress in ‘Game of Thrones’

In addition to Kit Harington and Emilia Clarke, Sophie Turner gets named quite frequently in discussions surrounding the least talented cast members. Sophie Turner was very young when she first started the show, and fans feel that her work during the first few seasons left something to be desired.

Fans agree that Sophie Turner has improved with time, but she often gets grouped in when discussing actors who possess odd mannerisms or fall short of the others in the show. Sophie Turner does not take away from the series, fans argue, she merely fails to bring something unique to the table.

When it comes to the characters fans feel are least talented, this list is evidently not all-encompassing (given how large the cast is); however, in terms of pivotal players who make up a great deal of screen time, Emilia Clarke, Kit Harington, and Sophie Turner are cited as the “least talented”actors quite frequently.