One of the most intriguing parts of television shows is recasting actors even when they have been doing well with their performance. And Ed Skrein knows exactly how that feels after he was replaced in Game of Thrones.
Fans would remember the actor notably portrayed Daario Naharis, the dashing love interest of Daenerys Targaryen. Then, all of a sudden, the studio decided to ditch him in the fourth season with a new star on board.
Ed Skrein Opens Up About Getting Replaced in Game of Thrones
Many had been wondering why there was a need to replace Ed Skrein in Game of Thrones, and while the reports claimed he walked away to work on a new movie at the time, it was not entirely true. Indeed, he starred in The Transporter: Refueled in 2015, but it was not the reason he departed from the show.
Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, the Deadpool star revealed he was looking forward to sticking to the project for a long time, but things got complicated when politics entered the room.
My plan was to stay with Game of Thrones for the long haul. That was always my plan. I would have loved to. It was a wonderful experience, but politics led to us parting ways.
He reiterated that he never walked away from the series, but “there’s always politics involved” in a complicated industry such as the entertainment business, he told TooFab. Despite his unexpected exit, he remained positive and did not dwell on it.
Although he would have loved to continue working with the fantastic cast and crew, he still counted the experience as a blessing. Skrein praised the series and never showed any sign of bitterness. He told the same outlet that he’s got his own ways of accepting how things go about in the industry, and that he never looks back – always forward.
Skrein was replaced by Dutch star Michiel Huisman in Season 4 where the character had a more prominent role. Apart from being an ally, he also became the lover of Emilia Clarke’s Daenerys Targaryen. He pledged allegiance to the Mother of Dragons and helped her conquer cities.
Unfortunately, he was left behind by the queen in Meereen when she took her army to Westeros. The character’s fate was never revealed in the show as he was never seen again.
Which Actor Played Daario Naharis Better?
The audience had a divisive reaction to both Skrein’s and Huisman’s portrayals of Daario Naharis. It was clear that neither of them accurately depicted the character’s appearance based on the book’s description. However, when it comes to personality, the Rebel Moon actor captured his arrogance and confidence.
Huisman’s version is more dialed down, and it remains a mystery why the show chose to alter his personality after the recasting. Perhaps, it had something to do with his blossoming relationship with Daenerys and to make him more appealing as a lover.
Game of Thrones is currently available to stream on HBO.
