Sam Heughan rejected from Game of Thrones seven times!

Sam Heughan may have landed the role of Jamie Fraser early in the auditioning process, and the Game of Thrones rejections may have been part of the reason why.

Did you know Sam Heughan auditioned for roles on Game of Thrones? He auditioned for and was rejected on seven different occasions. You would think after one or two you’d move on, but he really wanted a role in that series, which guest starred former Outlander actor Tobias Menzies. However, Game of Thrones probably helped Heughan land the role of Jamie Fraser in Outlander and not just because schedules didn’t clash.

There are no hard feelings about being rejected, it seems. In fact, Heughan believes that the Game of Thrones rejections helped him adapt and improve his auditioning technique. Of course, it would have been frustrating at the time, especially when he couldn’t even get the role of one of the warriors in the Night’s Watch!

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Despite being rejected, Heughan’s confidence must have grown. He was ready to prove his worth as Jamie Fraser when auditioning for Outlander. After all, he was one of the first parts cast and it was his on-screen chemistry test with Caitriona Balfe that landed her the role of Claire Beauchamp Randall Fraser in the end.

According to Heughan, there was something about the Outlander role that was just right. He felt a connection to Jamie that he obviously never felt with Renly and Loras in Game of Thrones–two main roles that he auditioned for in the series.

Photo credit: Outlander/Starz Image acquired via Starz Media Room /

"I auditioned for Renly, Loras, some of the members of the Night’s Watch…I had more experience, more experience with the process. And maybe I was more confident.–Sam Heughan"

Meanwhile, Menzies may just show up again in Game of Thrones. Right now, his character, Edmure Tully, is somewhere in a dungeon. He was last seen working with the Lannisters to get control of his family home but hasn’t been seen since. Menzies doesn’t know if he’s going to get to wrap up that story before the series ends next year, but he going to be busy working on his new project soon. He’ll take on the role of Prince Philip in Netflix’s The Crown.

Next: Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe share Droughtlander tips

Are you surprised at Heughan going for seven roles on Game of Thrones? What do you think about him being turned down? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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