Most of us agree that one of the best things about the show has been the superb acting level. We've been treated with truly amazing performances that have ranged from good to marvellous. Yet, in all of this, there are degrees. I think it would be interesting to see how we've perceived their performances, and how we'd rank them just going by what they've shown in Season 2.
Here's my take, for what is worth. What's yours?
AN INCREDIBLE TREAT
1.A Outstanding and Flawless Maisie Williams (Arya), Michelle Fairley (Catelyn), Iain Glen (Ser Jorah), Isaac Hempstead Wright (Bran), Conleth Hill (Varys), Charles Dance (Tywin), Stephen Dillane (Stannis), Liam Cunningham (Davos), Patrick Malahide (Balon)
1.B Outstanding Lena Heady (Cersei), Peter Dinklage (Tyrion), Alfie Allen (Theon), Sophie Turner (Sansa), Jack Gleeson (Joffrey), Natalia Tena (Osha), Tom Wlaschiha (Jaqen), Francis Magee (Yoren), Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jamie), Ron Donachie (Ser Rodrick),
1.C Fantastic (but, because of role, unable to judge as outstanding _yet_) Jerome Flynn (Bronn), James Cosmo (Lord Commander), Gethin Anthony (Renly), Carice van Houten (Melisandre), Rory McCann (Sandor), Anthony Morris (Tickler), Donald Sumpter (Luwin), Michael McElhatton (Roose Bolton), Amrita Acharia (Irri)
CAPS OFF
2.A Excellent, potentially outstanding, but still needs further tweaking. Natalie Dormer (Margaery), Gwendoline Christie (Brienne), Aidan Gillen (Littlefinger), Julian Glover (Pycelle), Jon Bradley (Sam), Rose Leslie (Ygritte)
2.B Great so far, but a little flat Richard Madden (Robb), Kit Harington (Jon), Joe Dempsie (Gendry)
2.C Very good in relatively undemanding roles Hannah Murray (Gilly), Ben Crompton (Edd Tollett), Mark Santley (Grenn),
PROMISING
3.A Memorable, and potencially outstanding, but needs to tone down some overacting. Emilia Clarke (Daenerys), Kerr Logan (Mathos), Gemma Whelan (Yara)
3.B Very good but erring on the overacting side Roxanne McKee (Doreah), Roy Dotrice (the piromancer), Ralph Ineson (Dagmer), Nonso Anozie (Xaro), Nicholas Blane (Spice King),
3.C Good, but needs tough filing on the rough edges Simon Armstrong (Qhorin), Karl Davis (Alton), Silbel Kekilli (Shae), Eugene Simon (Lancel), Finn Jones (Loras), Oona Chaplin (Talisa), Ben Hawkey (Hot Pie), Eros Vlahos (Lommy), Esmé Bianco (Ros)
3.D Good enough, but so far seem a step below the previous category Ian Whyte (New Mountain), Kristian Nairn (Hodor)
-- Edited by Tir Airgid on Thursday 30th of August 2012 06:14:09 AM
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“Fear is a strange soil. It grows obedience like corn, which grow in straight lines to make weeding easier. But sometimes it grows the potatoes of defiance, which flourish underground.”
Agree on both accounts. However, imo he overacted a teensy bit on some of the scenes. There's very little between my 1.A and B, so I had to be nitpicky in order to make a division.
-- Edited by Tir Airgid on Wednesday 29th of August 2012 11:40:03 AM
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“Fear is a strange soil. It grows obedience like corn, which grow in straight lines to make weeding easier. But sometimes it grows the potatoes of defiance, which flourish underground.”
Can't blame u there, Andrew. I think Doreah was the most beautiful of all the women actors on Season 2.
-- Edited by Tir Airgid on Wednesday 29th of August 2012 02:50:08 PM
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“Fear is a strange soil. It grows obedience like corn, which grow in straight lines to make weeding easier. But sometimes it grows the potatoes of defiance, which flourish underground.”
Pretty much agree on all points, except I would have swapped Isaac and Sophie around. Also, Doreah fanboy, so I would have bumped her up a rank or three, but otherwise, great list!
I can not be as organized as you are Tir. I would say Conleth Hill
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"I´d not prolongued the chewing up, Doc. Nor the being spat out. Not go out a cunt. It´s the dispatch I find inglorious. The whole delusory fucking self importance.". Al Swedgin ;).
I don't know who many of the actors are, so I'll check who all the unrecognized names are and get back to you. And thanks for another spoiler-free thread!
I don't know who many of the actors are, so I'll check who all the unrecognized names are and get back to you. And thanks for another spoiler-free thread!
I've just added the names of the characters next to the actors. I should have thought of that before, sorry. I'd be very interested in seeing your rank. Looking forward.
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“Fear is a strange soil. It grows obedience like corn, which grow in straight lines to make weeding easier. But sometimes it grows the potatoes of defiance, which flourish underground.”
Thanks Tir! I still had to look a few up on IMDB because I don't know all of the character names...like Dagmer. I'll just rate everyone on a scale of 1 to 10, with ten being mind-blowingly good and 1 being William Shatner. My standard disclaimer applies: I haven't read the books, so I'm not sure how the characters were written. I just know what I see on the tv screen.
Michelle Fairley (Catelyn): 9 She’s so intense, and an exceptional actress. She has that rare gift of making you believe in her character.
Iain Glen (Ser Jorah): 8 He turns a creepy older scumbag into a three dimensional, likeable, sincere advisor to Dany, who has a very understandable infatuation with her.
Conleth Hill (Varys): 10 Brilliant. This could be a character I’m ambivalent about, but the acting is too delicious to resist.
Charles Dance (Tywin): 9 Makes an evil, arrogant man human and just a little likeable.
Alfie Allen (Theon): 8 He was so mediocre in season 1, that I really didn’t care about him one way or the other. He *became* Theon in season 2.
Sophie Turner (Sansa): 5 She’s getting better, but isn’t brilliant in her role. I think if her face was a bit more expressive, I would like her better. She says the words in the script, but doesn’t become the character.
Simon Armstrong (Qhorin): 8 He really owned the role. I think the writers shortchanged an excellent character who was cast perfectly.
Maisie Williams (Arya): 8 She usually OWNS Arya, but there were a few scenes in season 2 that were lacking.
Stephen Dillane (Stannis): 6 Not sure if it’s the script or the actor. I think maybe he’s trying too hard to portray Stannis as unyielding and two dimensional.
Liam Cunningham (Davos): 8 Just awesome. I’m not sure if it’s the role or the actor, but I love him!
Jerome Flynn (Bronn): 9 This is a character like Varys. He could be an annoying waste of time on a show that doesn’t have time for characters like his. He’s terrific, and I look forward to his scenes.
Lena Heady (Cersei): 8 It would be easy to overact this role or to just portray a cold bitch. Maybe I just love that eyebrow thing she does. She brings a level of humanity to an inhumane character. I feel sorry for her, even if she is pure evil.
Peter Dinklage (Tyrion): 10 There hasn’t been a single scene he could’ve acted better. He portrays the intelligence, hurt, cynicism and sheer awesomeness of his character perfectly. Not many actors could successfully play this role, and it’s not because of their height.
Jack Gleeson (Joffrey): 8 Good, but he’s not quite right. He’s frightening when he’s playing “insanely evil Joffrey.” I would like to see more of his thoughts in his eyes without him being over the top.
Natalia Tena (Osha): 7 She does a pretty good job, but doesn’t quite convince me that she’s a wildling woman from north of the wall. I little more attitude, and she would be perfect.
Tom Wlaschiha (Jaqen): 9 Love what he does with a rather odd role. He’s sexy and fun without trying too hard, and has that vibe like maybe he’s not what he seems - just a bit dangerous.
Richard Madden (Robb): 8 I don’t know if it’s Michelle Fairley’s acting that brings his to a higher level or if he’s just a really good actor. He brings a passion and a righteousness to his role that could easily be lacking.
Kit Harington (Jon): 8 Kit, close your mouth! Sorry, I just had to say that. I like his acting, but I don’t love his character. I’m thinking it’s the writing and directing that make him so pathetic. I really want to like him, but he’s such a whiny baby.
Francis Magee (Yoren): 8 He convincingly portrayed a grizzled veteran from the wall who is immensely likeable, and just a little yuck…like he BELONGS on the wall.
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jamie): 8 Is it his sheer gorgeousness or his acting that makes me hope Jamie Lannister doesn’t die anytime soon? I think it’s his acting, but it’s hard to be 100% sure.
Isaac Hempstead Wright (Bran): 5 Something is just off about the way he portrays Bran. He’s okay, but not terrific.
Eugene Simon (Lancel): 6 Underwhelming. He’s almost comical.
Finn Jones (Loras): 7 Not a very demanding role, but he did a good job.
Esmé Bianco (Ros): 7 She has shown a fairly good range as an actress with a fairly uninteresting role.
Ron Donachie (Ser Rodrick): 8 Not a particularly demanding role, but he nails it!
Rory McCann (Sandor): 8 Convincing as an angry, dangerous man who’s barely holding himself in check. He’s very likeable, even if he does despicable things.
James Cosmo (Lord Commander): 7 Pretty good, even though his role is not a difficult one.
Gethin Anthony (Renly): 7 Not sure if it’s the writing or the actor that aren’t quite right here. He’s not quite convincing.
Carice van Houten (Melisandre): 8 Very well cast, and well acted. She’s a bit two dimensional, but I think it’s the writing.
Donald Sumpter (Luwin): 8 Great acting, especially towards the end of season 2.
Amrita Acharia (Irri): 7 Pretty good.
Natalie Dormer (Margaery): 8 Nicely portrays the would-be queen.
Gwendoline Christie (Brienne): 7 She seems a bit uncomfortable with her role, but I’ll bet she’ll hit her stride in season 3.
Aidan Gillen (Littlefinger): 8 I love this character, the casting and the acting. He’s devilishly naughty and just a little sad.
Ralph Ineson (Dagmer): 8 Excellent and utterly believable. The right mix of harshness and humor.
Nonso Anozie (Xaro): 8 He embodied a character who has contradictory aspects quite well.
Nicholas Blane (Spice King): 6 A bit overacted.
Silbel Kekilli (Shae): 6 Mediocre. Tyrion bantering with a cardboard cutout might be just as interesting. She doesn't convince me that she is Shae.
Julian Glover (Pycelle): 7 I think it’s the character that annoys me, not necessarily the actor.
Jon Bradley (Sam): 7 Sympathetic and likeable, while portraying a spineless but intelligent wuss.
Rose Leslie (Ygritte): 4 Really dislike her portrayal of the character. She can act, but I think her idea of a strong wildling woman and mine are completely different.
Oona Chaplin (Talisa): 7 Pretty good job, but not difficult material.
Patrick Malahide (Balon): 6 Just another grouchy old guy. They could’ve used Walder Frey again, and I wouldn’t have noticed the difference.
Joe Dempsie (Gendry): 6 He’s not very inspiring. He could be a scene-stealing standout actor, but he’s pretty mediocre.
Hannah Murray (Gilly): 6 It would be easy to overact this role, but I think she underacts it.
Emilia Clarke (Daenerys): 7 I liked her better in season 1. In season 2, she’s either angry or cowed. There doesn’t seem to be an in between, but those in between emotions seem more appropriate for most of her scenes.
Gemma Whelan (Yara): 5 She isn’t at all right for this role. I think this is a role that needs to be portrayed with a lot of nuance.
Roxanne McKee (Doreah): 7 I like her portrayal of a slave girl making the most of her situation.
Roy Dotrice (the pyromancer): 4 Way overacted.
I think those are about the only actors I've formed an opinion about. How's that for a looooong post? Sorry if I've hurt any feelings.
Put the tomatoes back in the basket, that was quite an engrosing read , so thank you for sharing! One thing I'm curious about, which scenes in season 2 you though Arya was lacking? If you can remember.
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“Fear is a strange soil. It grows obedience like corn, which grow in straight lines to make weeding easier. But sometimes it grows the potatoes of defiance, which flourish underground.”
Your complaints about Jon aren't Kit Harrington's fault, it's the script, he's not like that in the books. Though I must say when reading the book and imagining Kit's voice it does sound ridiculous.
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AS private parts we are to the gods, they play with us for their sport.
Your complaints about Jon aren't Kit Harrington's fault, it's the script, he's not like that in the books. Though I must say when reading the book and imagining Kit's voice it does sound ridiculous.
I thought as much. I just started a thread on Stannis because I think it must be the script or maybe the acting. With Jon Snow, there are glimpses of who he should be now or who he should become, just as with Arya. I just want to smack him sometimes and tell him to put on his big boy pants.
Put the tomatoes back in the basket, that was quite an engrosing read , so thank you for sharing! One thing I'm curious about, which scenes in season 2 you though Arya was lacking? If you can remember.
Hmmm, off the top of my head, there was the scene where she says "proper...properly." It was either a bad attempt to act low born or bad acting. I came across as really lame. But for the most part, she's terrific. She is cast perfectly. This is a character that could easily be overacted and annoying, but the balance between spunk, uncertainty, sadness and determination is exactly as it should be.
I think you're onto something about Robb. I've noticed too that his performance improves a lot in the scenes he shares with Michelle Fairley. And I've noticed IRL they seem to have great chemistry as well.
About the Arya bit, I thought it was done that way on purpose, to show she was "trying too hard" and failing to convince.
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“Fear is a strange soil. It grows obedience like corn, which grow in straight lines to make weeding easier. But sometimes it grows the potatoes of defiance, which flourish underground.”
You could be right about Arya. She had terrific chemistry with both Tywin and Jaqen. I hope we can see similarly stellar performances from her in season 3.
@Lady Black: OMG I am so with you on all of your post. Love Michele, did not like her in the books, esp. how she treated Jon Snow. Love Iain Glen, Nicoli W-C (sp?) damn laptop, beg pardon. Kitt and Robb's lines this season were not what I had hoped yet they take what they are given and are so moving and heart felt. Thanks for the post.
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Rhaegar, despite wounding Robert, was struck down with a massive blow from Robert's warhammer, which scattered the rubies encrusted in Rhaegar's armor under the water. Rhaegar died with Lyanna Stark's name on his lips.
Tir Aigid I love your list and it's pretty much spot on. Season two was mixed for some regular cast members notably Jon but the scripts and storyline should improve in the upcoming season. Too late for Qhorin and others though.
Your complaints about Jon aren't Kit Harrington's fault, it's the script, he's not like that in the books. Though I must say when reading the book and imagining Kit's voice it does sound ridiculous.
I concur, your grace. The scripts for both Kitt and The King in the North left them spineless in my mind in S3. Here's hoping they will have better words in S3.
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Rhaegar, despite wounding Robert, was struck down with a massive blow from Robert's warhammer, which scattered the rubies encrusted in Rhaegar's armor under the water. Rhaegar died with Lyanna Stark's name on his lips.
@Lady Black As Snow, this woman agrees with many of your assessments, with a few adjustments. Sansa/Sophie was only OK the first season, but the improvement in her acting in S2 was a quantum leap IMO. With Sansa, it's all about the eyes, as with many of the other great actors on the show. I think she was searching for her center to the character in S1, and really found how to express that in S2. She is keeping the stillness in her face intentionally, as her calm and courtesy are her armor against the world she is living in where she cannot loose her cool for fear of death. I think she nailed it this year, and now when reading the books again I see Sophie's face when reading Sansa, I think that means she's become Sansa now for this woman anyway. S2 she gets a solid 9 in my book.
Naturally, I give Jaqen/Tom a 10. His subtle mastery of the character is impressive. Every twitch of the eyebrow has meaning, and of course he's hotter than molten steel.
Bran/Isaac gets a 10 to this woman, as I also feel that he has mastered showing the emotion of the character with just a look...and at his young age to show the intelligence, pain, anger, and hope he must portray just with a look is a revelation. This was probably a hard role to cast, and Nina & co NAILED IT imo.
Yara/Gemma won me over when she said "Don't die so far from the sea brother," that's when I said, Yeah, she's got it. Though she's not the Xena Warrior Princess type hottie as described in the book, this woman can believe that she commands a fleet of ships and does it with ease. She is subtle, but her snark works for Yara, and she's at least an 8 for me.
Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey (just season 2), Jack Gleeson, Sean Bean, Michelle Fairley.
Patrick Malahide, Stephen Dillane (just give him some time and more scenes), Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Iain Glen, Julian Glover, Sophie Turner, Charles Dance
Maisie Williams (not so much in season 2), Liam Cunningham, Rose Leslie, Gemma Whelan, Francis Magee
Aidan Gillen, love him but he´s acting strange.
Isaac Hempstead Wright (Bran), Tom Wlaschiha, Alfie Allen, Gethin Anthony, James Cosmo, Jerome Flynn, Eugene Simon, Oona Chaplin, Sibel Kekilli, Richard Madden, Kit Harington.
Emilia Clarke (she needs a strong director), Natalia Tena (love her but few scenes and dialogues), Natalie Dormer (I´m biased here, I don´t like her), Gwendoline Christie (she needs time and dialogues of course), , Nicholas Blane.
Sometimes is not because of the actor but for the script: Jerome Flynn with bad lines I don´t know if I like him that much. Kristian Nairn: we never know about his talent.
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"I´d not prolongued the chewing up, Doc. Nor the being spat out. Not go out a cunt. It´s the dispatch I find inglorious. The whole delusory fucking self importance.". Al Swedgin ;).
I think you're onto something about Robb. I've noticed too that his performance improves a lot in the scenes he shares with Michelle Fairley. And I've noticed IRL they seem to have great chemistry as well.
About the Arya bit, I thought it was done that way on purpose, to show she was "trying too hard" and failing to convince.
Well Richard Madden did say in one interview that he loves doing scenes with her and that he's incredibly comfortable with her. It was the hilirous interview he did with Simone Boyce.
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AS private parts we are to the gods, they play with us for their sport.
I think you're onto something about Robb. I've noticed too that his performance improves a lot in the scenes he shares with Michelle Fairley. And I've noticed IRL they seem to have great chemistry as well.
About the Arya bit, I thought it was done that way on purpose, to show she was "trying too hard" and failing to convince.
Well Richard Madden did say in one interview that he loves doing scenes with her and that he's incredibly comfortable with her. It was the hilirous interview he did with Simone Boyce.
Saw the same interview. Could not understand 1/3 of what he said because his accent is so thick, but boy does it work!
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Rhaegar, despite wounding Robert, was struck down with a massive blow from Robert's warhammer, which scattered the rubies encrusted in Rhaegar's armor under the water. Rhaegar died with Lyanna Stark's name on his lips.
To be honest, there is just something about Michele's acting that I just do not like. I find her to be forced and over the top. And I dislike the way she stutters and tends to accent certain words with a head jolt.
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"If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt." - Dean Martin
Rewatching the second season, i was impressed by Costen Waldau , cool as fuck Jaime , subtle and fun. Gwen Christie was a great discover too. But the one whose perform was my greatest pleasure to watch was Dance . I didn't remenber the name of the actor playing Yoren, but he was really gifted. And of course Dinklage, as usual, but it's so mainstream writing it that i nearly daren't. A deception, the beautiful Sibel , a great actress (Head-on is one of my favourite movie) but underemployed, she can be so intense, it's a pity.
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Je voudrais un croissant et une chaussette mignonne...
To be honest, there is just something about Michele's acting that I just do not like. I find her to be forced and over the top. And I dislike the way she stutters and tends to accent certain words with a head jolt.
This. Is. So. Spot. On.
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"If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt." - Dean Martin
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