Before landing the role of Eleven in Netflix’sStranger Things, Millie Bobby Brown auditioned for the role Lyanna Mormont in HBO’sGame of Thrones. However, Brown nearly quit acting altogether after feeling the sting of rejection when theGame of Thronesteam selected a different actress for the role.
Lyanna Mormont was introduced onGame of Thronesduring the sixth season of the series as one of the few allies to join Jon Snow and Sansa Stark in the battle to reclaim Winterfell from Ramsay Bolton. The role was portrayed by English actress Bella Ramsey, who gave the character a fierce and quick-witted personality thatquickly made her a fan-favorite. Ramsey would play the role until the character’s demise during the Battle of Winterfell in the eighth and final season of the series.
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Brown opened up about the unsuccessful audition for the role of Lyanna Mormont during an interview on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. “I think I was just very disheartened by the rejection, which is something I tell everyone, this industry is full of rejection 24/7,” she said when asked of her decision to almost give up on her acting career. “I auditioned forGame of Thronesand got a ‘No’ for that. Then, that’s when I was like, ‘This is really difficult,’ and I guess I really wanted that role.” Despite the setback, Brown made one last attempt at acting when she auditioned for a role inthe Netflix seriesMontauk, which would later become Stranger Things. “Montaukwas definitely the one that gave me that hope of doing it all again,” she said.
Production on the fourth seasonof Stranger Thingsis currently underway following a months-long shutdown that started in March. “I can’t wait to get back to work. I’ve missed playing Eleven so much. To think it’s been quite a while since I’ve been on set with my friends again,” Brown said of production starting up again. “Just playing Eleven, she always such a challenge to play. I just miss work, to be honest with you.”
Brown’s decision to persevere proved to be worthwhile as the role of Eleven inStranger Thingseventually led to a career in feature films as well. In 2019, Brown made her feature film debut as Madison Russell inGodzilla: King of the Monsters, a role she will reprise in the sequel titledGodzilla vs. Kong,and she recently portrayed the titular heroine inNetflix’sEnola Holmes.
Meanwhile, theGame of Thronesfranchise is moving forward with a prequel series set decades beforethe events of the original showtitledHouse of the Dragon. Based on author George R. R. Martin’sFire and Bloodbook,the series will chronicle the downfall of House Targaryen.
