That. I was in fact surprised that there were so few recasts over 6 years, and none at all amongst the significant characters.
It looks like the consensus is they just needed warm bodies for some of the roles in the first few seasons. I can’t think of a show like this that had a major role changed but there may be one. (not counting actors who died such as John Ritter)
Also on Sopranos, Joseph Gannascoli who played Vito on the Sopranos had a minor role in 1 episode in season 1 before he played Vito.
I didn’t even realize that Whyte was supposed to be the Mountain. He spends his entire run seated, doesn’t he, and looks normal sized as a result? And I’m not one of those people who is constantly confused, I knew most of the characters even back in S2.
I thought Daario was recast unwillingly? Skrein stars in Deadpool, so he must be doing okay though.
Whyte had even “bigger” roles in seasons 3, 4, and 5, playing giants Dongo the Doomed and Wun Wun.
He also played the White Walker in the first episode.
Any of the significant actors could plausibly be replaced with other performers if push came to shove … except Dinklage. If he decided not to return or was unwell, who could substitute for him? David Rappaport is dead and Warwick Davis is too cute.