The Real Reason Freddie Stroma Was Replaced By Tom Hopper In Game Of Thrones

‘Game of Thrones,’ HBO’s hit television series adapted from George R. R. Martin’s world of Westeros, has had its fair share of intriguing characters, shocking plot twists, and… character recasts? Yes, you heard right. A keen-eyed fan of the series will notice a few instances where familiar faces were suddenly not so familiar. One of the most notable instances was when Tom Hopper replaced Freddie Stroma as the character Dickon Tarly.

What Was The Real Reason Behind The Recasting?

Dickon Tarly, the younger brother of fan-favorite Samwell Tarly, first made his appearance in ‘Game of Thrones’ sixth season, portrayed by Freddie Stroma. But when season 7 rolled around, the character of Dickon was now played by none other than Tom Hopper.

But why did this recasting occur?

The answer, it turns out, is not due to any controversy or behind-the-scenes drama but rather due to a more mundane reason: scheduling conflicts.

Freddie Stroma had committed to the lead role in the science fiction television series ‘Time After Time.‘ The filming schedules clashed, and Stroma was unable to return to the mythical land of Westeros for the seventh season of ‘Game of Thrones.’

Tom Hopper, known for his roles in ‘Black Sails’ and ‘Merlin,’ stepped in to fill the shoes of Dickon Tarly in season 7. His character arc was notably more dramatic, including participation in a major battle against Daenerys Targaryen’s forces and eventually meeting a fiery end alongside his father, Randyll Tarly, after refusing to bow to Daenerys.

Despite his departure from the show, Stroma held his ‘Game of Thrones’ experience in high regard. In an interview with IGN, he expressed his fondness for the series, and despite the character recast, he remained a dedicated viewer:

“I was shooting this, so my character, I wouldn’t be able to go back now. It was still fun. I got to be in that world. I’ve watched all of it. It’s just an incredible TV show.”

Recasting is not new to ‘Game of Thrones,’ with characters like Daario Naharis, the Night King, the Three-Eyed Raven, and many others having multiple actors over the series’ eight seasons. These recasts were due to a variety of reasons, from actors seeking new roles to needing more mature performers for developing character storylines.

Freddie Stroma’s Career After Game Of Thrones

Meanwhile, Stroma’s career has continued to thrive since his brief stint in Westeros. He has starred in a range of roles, from the television series ‘UnREAL,‘ to the rom-com ‘Second Act‘ with Jennifer Lopez, and even joined the ranks of the Netflix hit show, ‘Bridgerton.’ Stroma’s most recent projects include 2021’s ‘The Crew,‘ where he appeared as Jake Martin, and 2022’s ‘Peacemaker,‘ where he had the main role as Adrian Chase.