Sam Heughan may be best associated with Outlander but he did try to get into the Game of Thrones universe before triumphing as Highlander Jamie Fraser.
Sam Heughan was turned down for Game of Thrones a whopping seven times before he found success with Outlander.
The Starz and Lionsgate+ drama follows the emotional journey of Jamie Fraser (played by Sam Heughan) and Claire Fraser (Caitriona Balfe) torn apart and brought together thanks to time travel.
Season seven saw the husband-and-wife duo make the long trip from the US with young Ian (John Bell) by their side with Jamie once again feeling seasick.
As the Highlander was trying not to focus on his nausea, his wife and Ian were thrilled to see the Scottish coast, signalling they were home at last.
When subscribers think of Outlander, they cannot help but picture Sam Heughan as Jamie but the Scotsman did try to get his foot in the door for another hit drama.
Heughan was eager to enter into the fantasy world of iconic HBO series Game of Thrones but was never given a chance to appear on screen.
The 43-year-old was turned down numerous times for multiple roles, much to his dismay.
He told Vulture back in 2014: “I auditioned for Game of Thrones seven times!”
Upon hearing this from Vanity Fair, Game of Thrones casting director Nina Gold laughed “I’m sure that’s an exaggeration”.
But Heughan went on to state: “I auditioned for Renly, Loras, some of the members of the Night’s Watch.
“And I’d always get so close! I’d be like, ‘Guys, just give me a sword!’”
He lost out on the parts of Renly Baratheon and Ser Loras Tyrell to actors Gethin Antony and Finn Jones respectively.
However, neither of these characters lasted very long in Game of Thrones so it was fortunate that Heughan wasn’t picked for the roles.
Outlander’s season seven return has been “bittersweet” for Heughan and the rest of the cast as it was announced that the romantic drama would end with season eight.
While opening up on The One Show, he said: “It’s bittersweet. It’s been eight seasons…It’s been 10 years of my life.
“It’s just incredible. It’s been an amazing journey.
“But it’ll be sad to say goodbye to the ginger wig.”
Source: express.co.uk