emilia_clarke/TwitterWatching the last ever episode of Game of Thrones has proven to be an intensely emotional experience for many fans.
And we can can only imagine how the cast and crew must feel – after almost a decade filming together – about this chapter in their lives closing forever.
Many of the actors – who we have grown to love as much of the characters – have paid online tributes to their time on set, and their heartfelt words may well make you cry more than the finale did.
HBOEmilia Clarke – who played Dragon Queen turned despot Daenerys Targaryen – posted on Instagram about her time wearing *that* ‘platinum wig of dreams’:
Finding the words to write this post has left me overwhelmed with how much I want to say but how small words feel in comparison to what this show and Dany have meant to me.
The mother of dragons chapter has taken up the whole of my adult life. This woman has taken up the whole of my heart. I’ve sweated in the blaze of dragon fire, shed many tears at those who left our family early, and wrung my brain dry trying to do Khaleesi and the masterful words, actions (and names) I was given, justice.
Game of Thrones has shaped me as a woman, as an actor and as a human being. I just wish my darling dad was here now to see how far we’ve flown.
But to you, dear kind magical fans, I owe you so much thanks, for your steady gaze at what we’ve made
and what I’ve done with a character that was already in the hearts of many before I slipped on the platinum wig of dreams. Without you there is no us.And now our watch has ended. @gameofthrones @hbo #love #motherofdragonsoverandout
Sophie Turner – who played resilient Lady of Winterfell Sansa Stark – also expressed gratitude to the people who made the show, which she credits with making her the person she is today.
Taking to Instagram, Sophie also shared pictures of the cast members together, with the following touching caption:
Sansa, Thank you for teaching me resilience, bravery and what true strength really is. Thank you teaching me to be kind and patient and to lead with love.
I grew up with you. I fell in love with you at 13 and now 10 years on.. at 23 I leave you behind, but I will never leave behind what you’ve taught me.
To the show and the incredible people who make it, thank you for giving me the best life and drama lessons I could have ever asked for.
Without you I wouldn’t be the person I am today. Thank you for giving me this chance all those years ago. And finally to the fans. Thank you for falling in love with these characters and supporting this show right through till the end. I’ll miss this more than anything.
Another moving Instagram post came from John Bradley, who played the history book-loving Samwell Tarly in the series.
John shared a photograph showing him holding his rehearsal and prep schedule from his very first week of season one (a very Sam thing to do) alongside the following caption:
So tonight we have our very last episode. It’s the final step of a long and wonderful journey. A journey that, for me, started at 10am on Monday 19th of July 2010. I know this because recently I found my rehearsal and prep schedule for season 1, week 1.
This was given to me when I landed in Belfast for the first time, weeks before we even started shooting. Listed here is the rehearsal where I first met Kit, and the first time I wore the costume that’s seen me through 8 seasons. I’m glad I kept this.
I met so many people that week who have come to mean so much to me. Back then we couldn’t have known the journey we’d go on together. I wouldn’t swap that experience, or those people, for the world. Enjoy the episode and thanks for everything.
I for one can’t quite believe it’s all over, and am really looking forward to seeing what the cast members get up to next.
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Jules studied English Literature with Creative Writing at Lancaster University before earning her masters in International Relations at Leiden University in The Netherlands (Hoi!). She then trained as a journalist through News Associates in Manchester. Jules has previously worked as a mental health blogger, copywriter and freelancer for various publications.