With the news that Game of Thrones is launching a Ned Stark prequel onstage at the Royal Shakespeare Company, speculation is rife about who’ll be playing the young Ned, particularly because this new stage play could subsequently be turned into a TV show. Among the viable casting options, an actor from Apple TV’s spy series Slow Horses stands out.

This RSC prequel entitled The Mad King is far from the only Game of Thrones spinoff currently in the works, but it’s arguably the most exciting origin story for a key protagonist in the main series. It’s absolutely vital, then, that those behind the project get the casting of Ned Stark right.

In this context, it’s hard to look past an actor known for his portrayal of Slow Horses character Ben Dunn, who’s also featured in the historical spinoff Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light. Given the stylistic and thematic parallels between the Wolf Hall franchise and Game of Thrones, Charlie Rowe has already had the perfect preparation for playing Ned.

Another important aspect of Rowe’s suitability for the role is his physical likeness to a young Sean Bean, the actor who made Stark one of the most iconic characters in screen fantasy. Indeed, Rowe is often seen sporting a beard that’s remarkably similar to Bean’s in Game of Thrones. On looks alone, the pair could easily be father and son.

Slow Horses Actor Charlie Rowe Would Be The Perfect Ned Stark Replacement

It isn’t just his appearance and his role in a Wolf Hall spinoff that make Charlie Rowe the ideal candidate to portray Ned Stark’s origin story. Recasting Stark in his own Game of Thrones prequel requires an actor who’s young enough to play the role, but also experienced enough with major projects to be able to handle the pressure.

In both these respects, Rowe is the perfect fit. The 29-year-old star came to global attention in 2023 at the center of an especially dramatic storyline in the acclaimed and hugely popular espionage drama series Slow Horses. His character Ben Dunn helped carry out a high-stakes kidnapping and steal a classified file, before being killed off by MI5.

Yet, Charlie Rowe had already made his name in the acting industry before this recurring role in Slow Horses, by starring in the British period drama Vanity Fair, and playing the talent agent who discovered Elton John in Rocketman. Most recently, he played a younger version of George Clooney’s protagonist in the movie Jay Kelly.

Rowe even has previous experience acting in a Shakespearian setting, having acted in a version of As You Like It directed by Ralph Fiennes last year, which received impressive reviews from critics. In virtually every facet of his profile as a performer, Charlie Rowe looks and sounds perfect for the young Ned Stark, whether onstage and on the small screen.

Why A Young Ned Stark Prequel Would Add To The Game Of Thrones Franchise

Although the casting of Ned Stark still hasn’t been announced, Game of Thrones: The Mad King premieres at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, on August 8, 2026, with preview performances taking place from July 20. If the stage show is a success, there’ll undoubtedly be a clamor to bring this prequel to the screen as soon as possible.

A series specifically focusing on Ned Stark’s origin story is particularly important for Game of Thrones for two reasons. Firstly, Stark is and will always be one of the most beloved characters of the franchise, who served as the face of this landmark release in the fantasy genre during the show’s first season.

Secondly, Ned’s death just nine episodes into Game of Thrones is among the most shocking character deaths in TV history. While it was a brilliant twist that helped define the series and the franchise, it also robbed audiences of an all-time great protagonist. Now, at long last, Ned Stark could be returning to the screen after more than 15 years.

TV Show(s)

Game Of Thrones, House of the Dragon, A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms

First TV Show

Game Of Thrones

Cast

Emilia Clarke, Peter Dinklage, Sophie Turner, Kit Harington, Lena Headey, Maisie Williams, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Iain Glen, John Bradley, Alfie Allen, Conleth Hill, Liam Cunningham, Gwendoline Christie, Aidan Gillen, Isaac Hempstead-Wright, Rory McCann, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jerome Flynn, Rhys Ifans, Matt Smith, Graham McTavish, Fabien Frankel, Steve Toussaint, Eve Best, Emma D’Arcy, Matthew Needham, Olivia Cooke, Milly Alcock, Emily Carey

Created by

George R.R. Martin

Game of Thrones is a multimedia franchise created by George R.R. Martin. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire is the basis for the award-winning HBO series Game of Thrones, which lasted for eight seasons. After the incredibly divisive final season of Game of Thrones, the series was followed up by the prequel series House of the Dragon, which also received critical acclaim.