If you feel like every time your kid starts a new "age-appropriate" show, a former resident of Westeros pops up to haunt your memories of the Red Wedding, you aren't imagining things—the Game of Thrones cast has officially taken over the teen TV landscape. From Gwendoline Christie running Nevermore Academy to Sophie Turner stepping into Lara Croft’s boots, the actors we associate with "dragons and decapitations" are now the faces of the media our middle and high schoolers are obsessed with.
TL;DR: The Game of Thrones cast has successfully pivoted from TV-MA carnage to teen-friendly franchises like Wednesday and The Last of Us. While their new projects are often parent-approved, their "mature" digital legacy is just a Google search away, so Screenwise recommends using these transitions to talk to your kids about how actors take different types of roles for different audiences. Check out our guide to managing mature content searches for more tips.
It’s 2026, and the "Thrones to Teen" pipeline is in full swing. For a decade, Game of Thrones was the undisputed heavyweight champion of prestige TV. It produced a generation of actors who are not only incredibly talented but also carry a "cool factor" that studios are desperate to bottle up for younger audiences.
The challenge for us as intentional parents is that while we might be thrilled to see Gwendoline Christie in something that won't give our kids nightmares, the digital footprint of these actors is heavily weighted toward some of the most graphic content ever aired on television. When your 12-year-old falls in love with an actor in a PG-13 show, their first instinct is to go to YouTube or TikTok to find "best of" clips—and that’s where things get dicey.
In Game of Thrones, she was Brienne of Tarth, the honorable, sword-swinging knight. In Wednesday, she plays Principal Larissa Weems. The Parent Vibe: This is a total win. Christie brings a regal, slightly mysterious energy to the school for outcasts that fits perfectly. It’s a great example of an actor using their physical presence for something whimsical rather than violent.
Before he was the internet’s favorite "cool dad," Pedro Pascal was Oberyn Martell, a character whose exit from Game of Thrones is arguably the most traumatizing scene in the series. The Parent Vibe: The Mandalorian is the gold standard for family-friendly Pascal. However, The Last of Us (the show and the game) is definitely for the older teen crowd. If your kid is obsessed with "Joel," they are going to find the "Red Viper" eventually.
The newest entry in the pipeline is Sophie Turner (formerly Sansa Stark) taking on the iconic role of Lara Croft in the 2026 Tomb Raider series. The Parent Vibe: This is high-octane action. While it’s aimed at the same demographic that loves Uncharted or the Marvel movies, Turner’s history as Sansa involves some of the most mature and controversial storylines in TV history.
It is still wild to think that the man who played Khal Drogo is now a lead in the Minecraft Movie. The Parent Vibe: This is the ultimate "safe" transition. Momoa has leaned hard into his "fun uncle" persona in recent years, making him a household name for even the youngest gamers.
Here is the no-BS reality: If your kid likes an actor, they are going to search for them. According to Screenwise community data, about 65% of kids aged 11-14 use "actor deep dives" as a primary way to find new content.
If they search for "Sophie Turner," the top results aren't just going to be Tomb Raider trailers. They are going to see clips from Game of Thrones. Unlike some other fandoms, GoT clips on YouTube are often not age-restricted properly, and the thumbnails alone can be pretty graphic.
We aren't saying you should block these actors. That’s impossible and, frankly, would mean missing out on some great TV. Instead, use it as a moment to explain the concept of a "filmography."
When your kid says, "Oh man, I love the guy who plays the Mandalorian, what else is he in?" you have a choice.
- The "Check Screenwise First" Rule: Make it a habit to look up actors on Screenwise or Common Sense Media together. You can say, "He’s a great actor, but he started out in some shows that are definitely for adults only. Let’s see what else he’s done that’s more your speed."
- Explain the Transition: Help them understand that actors "grow up" into different roles, just like kids do. Sophie Turner was basically a kid herself when she started Thrones, but the show she was on was meant for people your age (the parent).
- Curate the YouTube Experience: If they want to see interviews or "funny moments," watch a few with them first. The Hot Ones episodes with GoT cast members are usually great, but even those can have some spicy language.
If your teen is a fan of these actors but isn't ready for the "Winter is Coming" level of violence, try these:
- For Maisie Williams (Arya) fans: Doctor Who. She has a fantastic multi-episode arc that is adventurous and thoughtful without the gore.
- For Bella Ramsey (Lyanna Mormont) fans: Hilda on Netflix. She voices the lead character in this beautiful, whimsical animated series that is pure magic for all ages.
- For Emilia Clarke (Daenerys) fans: The Amazing Maurice. It’s a clever animated film based on a Terry Pratchett book. It’s witty, slightly dark in a "Grimm’s Fairy Tales" way, but totally appropriate.
- For Kit Harington (Jon Snow) fans: Eternals. It’s a standard Marvel entry—lots of CGI fighting, very little "Westeros" grit.
Check out our full guide on transitioning from kids to teen media
Q: Is Game of Thrones okay for a 13-year-old? No, Screenwise generally recommends waiting until at least 17 or 18 for Game of Thrones. The show contains extreme graphic violence, frequent explicit nudity, and sexual assault, which are heavy topics even for older teens.
Q: Which Game of Thrones actors are in Wednesday? Gwendoline Christie (who played Brienne of Tarth) plays Principal Larissa Weems in Wednesday. She is a major character in the first season and is a fan favorite for her elegant but firm leadership style.
Q: Is the new Tomb Raider show with Sophie Turner safe for middle schoolers? The Tomb Raider series is generally rated TV-14. It features intense action sequences and some peril, similar to the Indiana Jones movies, but it lacks the explicit sexual content found in the actress's previous work.
Q: Why is Pedro Pascal in so many kid-friendly things now? After his success in The Mandalorian, Pascal became the go-to actor for "protector" roles. Studios realized he has a massive appeal across generations, allowing him to move between "prestige" adult dramas and massive family franchises.
We’re living in an era where "prestige" actors are the new superheroes. Seeing the Game of Thrones cast in shows like Wednesday is a testament to their talent, but it does require us to be a little more vigilant about the "Up Next" queue on YouTube.
Enjoy the fact that we can finally watch Gwendoline Christie without shielding our eyes, but keep the conversation open about why some of her older work is still off-limits.
- Audit the Watchlist: See if your kids are currently watching Wednesday or The Last of Us.
- Set Search Boundaries: Talk about what happens when we Google actors and how to handle seeing things that look "too old" for them.
- Explore the "Safe" Filmography: Use the recommendations above to find other great projects these actors have done that fit your family's values.
Learn more about setting up smart search filters for your family