Not Michelle Fairley, but this actress was the first choice to play Catelyn Stark in Game of Thrones

Seven years have passed since the Game of Thrones finale aired, and the Red Wedding remains one of the most unforgettable moments of TV history. Especially Michelle Fairley's portrayal of Catelyn Stark felt surreal; her helplessness and cry still echo.

The fierce and loyal matriarch of the House of Stark, the role of Catelyn Stark wasn't easy to play. From absolute commitment to her children to bravely facing death at the Red Wedding, Fairley aced the role of Catelyn Stark.

But are you aware that Michelle Fairley was not the first actress to be cast as Catelyn Stark in Game of Thrones? In the 2009 unreleased pilot episode of Game of Thrones, the now 55-year-old actress Jennifer Ehle played the role of Catelyn Stark. Quite shocking. Right? Fairley's portrayal of Catelyn Stark was so brilliant that it is quite impossible to even think of anybody else in the role.

The 2009 GOT pilot episode required some changes, which included recasting a few characters, simplifying the characters' relationships, and making it easier for the audience to understand.

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Jennifer Ehle quit Game of Thrones after the pilot episode due to a personal reason

The role of Catelyn Stark was initially offered to Jennifer Ehle, the actress who played Elizabeth Bennet in the 1995 Pride and Prejudice miniseries. Ehle wasn't just a notable veteran actress but also a fan of George R.R Martin's novel series. She shot for the unaired pilot episode for Game of Thrones with Tamzin Merchant, the first Daenerys.

Jennifer Ehle quit Game of Thrones because she wanted to embrace motherhood and bond with her then-seven-year-old infant. Ehle was not emotionally ready to commit to such a project requiring long working hours and nearly a decade-long commitment.

In an interview with The Daily Beast in 2011, she revealed it was her "personal decision" to quit the HBO show. She told,

"My daughter was seven months old when we did the pilot. It was too soon for me to be working, emotionally and bonding-wise."

Ehle continued,

"I love Game of Thrones, but it was too soon, and I did The King's Speech immediately after that. They did a play after that. I found out that the series was then picked up at the end of working through six months, when I really just wanted to hold my baby, even though I was aware of the incredible privilege of having done the three pieces of work that I got to do in a row."

After Jennifer Ehle quit Game of Thrones, the producers found Michelle Fairley to be a perfect match for Catelyn Stark. After seeing her performance as Lady Macbeth in a play, the producers decided to cast her for the role.

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Michelle Fairley as Catelyn Stark — A role reimagined

Ehle's version and Fairley's version of Catelyn Stark were a bit different from each other. Ehle's version of Catelyn Stark was similar to George R.R Martin's novel- red hair, aristocratic restraint, ambitious, and sometimes arrogant.

While Fairley's portrayal of Catelyn Stark wasn't simply dignified, it had elements of grief, duty, and a suppressed rage. Thus, Fairley was able to bring out a sympathetic side of Catelyn in Game of Thrones. She added depth to the character, strength encased in sorrow and loyalty tainted by fear.

Also read: How Game of Thrones made death meaningful—until it didn’t