With a world as visually stunning as that which has been done by HBO for Game of Thrones, it’s easy to imagine folks like Gwendoline Christie, Natalie Dormer, Michiel Huisman, and Kristofer Hivju in their roles. Decked out in Westeros’ finest, it’s hard to imagine anyone else in these roles. But there was a time, long ago, when the show was merely in its casting stages, and there were literally hundreds of faces from which to choose.

We’ve already previously seen Jason Momoa’s seriously intense and borderline nutty (in the best way) audition — and if you haven’t peep that below — but this video, as it was shown at San Diego Comic-Con during the series’ Hall H panel, features those that survived beyond season one (R.I.P. Khal Drogo). Folks like Thomas Wlaschiha, Nathalie Emmanuel, Ben Crompton, Rose Leslie, Carice van Houten, Gwendoline Christie, Pedro Pascal, Natalie Dormer, Michiel Huisman, Liam Cunningham, and Kristofer Hivju with a carrot (because spectacle). And even in these bare bones moments, the magic of their auditions is pretty clear: these folks were made for these roles.

I mean look at the electricity behind van Houten’s eyes! The intensity of Christie’s sneer! Pedro Pascal’s general Pascal-yness (which is, if we’re being honest here, perfect in all scenarios)! It’s a fun little bit of behind the scenes business, and a nice little treat for Thrones obsessives.

But also, seriously, watch Momoa’s too when you’re done:

What other auditions would you like to see? Let us hear ’em in the comments.

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Alicia Lutes is the Associate Editor of The Nerdist. Find her on Twitter @alicialutes.