George R. R. Martin shares an unseen throwback snap of his Game of Thrones’ unaired pilot cameo

Failures are the stepping stones to success. Game of Thrones became the huge and thriving franchise it is today after repeated efforts of the cast and crew despite facing huge setbacks. The popular TV show hit a major roadblock at the beginning of its filming. The original pilot episode of the series turned out to be a $10 million disaster and had to be re-filmed with a lot of changes. One of those changes also removed George R.R. Martin’s cameo scene.

Martin was supposed to appear as a Pentoshi magister at Khal Drogo and Daenerys’ wedding scene. He shared a picture of him in costume, along with co-star Ian McNeice. McNeice is dressed as Illyrio Mopatis, another magister of Pentos. They were shooting in Morocco.

Here's another peek at the past, and the original pilot for GoT. We shot the wedding of Daenerys Targaryen and Khal Drogo in Morocco.   Ian McNeice played Illyrio Mopatis, and I played one of the wedding guests, presumably another magister. #TBT https://t.co/2BiGflKIIO pic.twitter.com/ItkUw75uvV

— George RR Martin (@GRRMspeaking) October 29, 2020

The Game of Thrones writer shared the picture on his Twitter and personal website, Not a Blog. Fans loved the snap, some even described them as medieval Santas.

More can be found out about the show’s unaired pilot in Entertainment Weekly editor James Hibberd’s book Fire Cannot Kill a Dragon. The book contains detailed information about various interviews with the show’s cast and crew. It delves into the secret behind-the-scene mysteries and brings them to the limelight.

Though the original pilot was absolutely bonkers and had to be re-shot, it lost a few fun elements. Like George R.R. Martin’s cameo, and even Ian McNeice was replaced. What do you think about the unaired pilot? Tell us in the comments below!

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01/10/2025 10:27 pm GMT