Every Game of Thrones fan knows how crucial Catelyn Stark is to the story, especially when it comes to the Red Wedding scene, and for those who’ve read the books. The Stark family matriarch has always been a key figure, and even years after the series ended, she’s still remembered fondly. This isn’t just because of the character’s importance but also thanks to the actress who played her.
Whether it’s good or bad, the cast is defined by the seasons and episodes. Unlike movies, TV series make audiences recognize actors for their long-term roles. So it’s a bit strange to think that the mother of the famous Stark could have been played by anyone other than Michelle Fairley.
Michelle Fairley Wouldn’t Have Been Catelyn Stark In Game of Thrones
Before filming any project, there’s the pre-production phase, which usually involves developing the script. This is when the casting director steps in to start selecting possible actors for the characters.
In Game of Thrones, there seemed to be many options, given the number of roles since the first season. According to Nina Gold, the show’s casting director, even some of the main characters had to be reconsidered, but Catelyn Stark is a notable example.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Gold stated that initially, Michelle Fairley was not an option. In fact, Jennifer Ehle, known for her roles in Pride and Prejudice and Fifty Shades of Grey, was cast first. She even filmed the pilot, but the experience didn’t please screenwriters John August and Craig Mazin, who were asked for advice and feedback on the script.
It’s terrible to disappoint . . . it’s difficult to let down . . . that’s hard. It’s tough, but you’ve got to get it right, ultimately. Jennifer Ehle is really brilliant, but I guess things changed about the way everybody saw it.
Although some original footage remained from the pilot, around 90% of the opening episode had to be reshot. That’s why Sansa Stark and Catelyn never appear in the same frame — because they had to cut Ehle and insert Fairley.
Why Did They Change The Actress For Catelyn Stark?
When discussing it on the Scriptnotes podcast, D.B. Weiss, one of the showrunners with David Benioff, mentioned that the reason for the new lineup was basically just one factor among many. It was actually a mix of things that August and Mazin didn’t like. Without much specific feedback, the showrunners decided to change almost everything to see if it would improve the episode.
Weiss remembered Mazin saying they had a massive problem, and Benioff added:
I was taking notes, and I had this yellow legal pad, and I just remembered writing in all caps, ‘MASSIVE PROBLEM,’ and it’s all I could think about the rest of the night. Craig didn’t really have any great ideas except that he said ‘change everything’.
Weiss said that watching the screenwriters watch the original pilot was one of the most painful experiences of his life (via Vanity Fair).
At the time, Ehle said she wanted to be with her family right after filming, so she stepped away from the project. However, it’s possible she also realized she wasn’t the best fit for the role after all (via The Guardian).
All seasons of Game of Thrones are available to stream on Max.
