Quick answer: Two actors played Daario Naharis in HBO's Game of Thrones. Ed Skrein played him in season 3, and Michiel Huisman took over for seasons 4 to 6.
That swap confused a lot of viewers in 2014. The hair changed, the attitude shifted, and nobody on screen explained why. This guide covers who played the role, what changed, and what we actually know about the recast.
Who Is the Daario Naharis Actor?
The honest answer is "it depends on the season." Bustle confirms that British actor Ed Skrein played the part in season 3, while Dutch actor Michiel Huisman played it in seasons 4 through 6.
| Detail | Ed Skrein | Michiel Huisman |
|---|---|---|
| Seasons | Season 3 | Seasons 4 to 6 |
| Nationality | English | Dutch |
| Look on screen | Long, blonde hair, clean-shaven | Shorter dark hair, scruffy beard |
| Tone | Cocky and arrogant | Moodier and more brooding |
Sources: Bustle, SoapCentral.
Who Is Daario Naharis in the Story?
Daario is a Tyroshi sellsword. In George R.R. Martin's novels, he is a captain of the Stormcrows, according to A Wiki of Ice and Fire. The TV series places him in a company called the Second Sons instead.
He first appears when Yunkai hires his company to fight Daenerys Targaryen. Here is what happens next:
- Daenerys offers the captains gold if they switch sides.
- Daario, won over by her, kills two fellow captains.
- He brings their heads to Daenerys as proof of loyalty.
- His company then helps her take Yunkai and Meereen.
Ser Jorah Mormont never trusts him. The same wiki records that Jorah calls Daario a false man. Nobody said sellswords were warm.
How Did the Character Evolve Between Actors?
Bustle describes Skrein's version as clean-shaven with long blonde hair. It describes Huisman's version as scruffier, darker and more brooding.
The Skrein version (season 3)
- Cocky: Westeros.org called him cocky and dangerous.
- Brief: AceShowbiz reports he appeared in only three episodes.
- Bold: He won Daenerys over by killing his own captains.
The Huisman version (seasons 4 to 6)
- Steady: He became a close adviser and companion to Daenerys.
- Less arrogant: SoapCentral notes that viewers found him less haughty.
- Left behind: In season 6, Daenerys sails for Westeros without him.
That last point matters. The Ringer reports that she ordered Daario and the Second Sons to keep the peace in Meereen, Yunkai and Astapor. He never returned on screen after that.
Why Was Daario Naharis Recast?
This is the part most articles get wrong. Nobody has confirmed a single official reason. Here is what the record shows.
| Claim | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Huisman replaced Skrein for season 4 | Confirmed | ComicBookMovie, citing The Hollywood Reporter |
| Skrein left for a Transporter reboot | Reported, not confirmed | The Daily Beast |
| Skrein blamed "politics" | His own account | SoapCentral |
| HBO and Skrein have not revisited it | Reported | Kino.de |
The Daily Beast said Skrein, then 31, reportedly left to replace Jason Statham in a rebooted Transporter series. Kino.de adds that he would have been busy with The Transporter Refueled.
AceShowbiz reports that Skrein wanted to stay for several seasons. So the scheduling story and Skrein's "politics" comment do not fully match. Treat both as unsettled.
How Did Michiel Huisman Describe the Switch?
In a Daily Beast interview, the then 32-year-old Huisman said the producers hoped audiences would forgive the change. They wanted viewers to accept him as Daario from then on.
He arrived with solid credentials. The Daily Beast lists Treme, Nashville and Orphan Black on his résumé by 2014. Bustle also points to The Haunting of Hill House and The Flight Attendant later on.
What Happened After Game of Thrones?
- Ed Skrein: SoapCentral lists Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver and Jurassic World Rebirth among his projects.
- Michiel Huisman: He kept working across US television and film.
- Daario: He left the show alive, so his story never ended in bloodshed.
Fans still ask whether he would return. The Ringer noted that Huisman said he was "not allowed to say" ahead of season 8. Daario did not come back.
Quick Facts Checklist
- Season 3 actor: Ed Skrein.
- Seasons 4 to 6 actor: Michiel Huisman.
- Skrein's run: three episodes.
- Source books: A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin.
- Final on-screen fate: left in Meereen to keep order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who played Daario Naharis first?
Ed Skrein played him first, in season 3. Michiel Huisman replaced him from season 4.
Why did Daario Naharis change actors?
No official reason exists. Reports point to a Transporter reboot, while Skrein himself has cited "politics."
Which seasons feature Michiel Huisman?
Huisman appears in seasons 4, 5 and 6. Daario does not appear after season 6.
Is Daario Naharis the same in the books?
Not exactly. Wikipedia notes he is mostly a background character in the novels. He also leads the Stormcrows, not the Second Sons.
Keep Reading
- Meet the Goliath cast for another look at actors and their roles.
- Netflix plans compared if you are budgeting for streaming.
Sources
- Bustle: Why Daario Naharis Was Recast
- The Daily Beast: Michiel Huisman interview
- Westeros.org: Daario Naharis Recast
- A Wiki of Ice and Fire: Daario Naharis
- Wikipedia: Daario Naharis
- The Ringer: Will Daario return?
- AceShowbiz: Why Daario was recast
- SoapCentral: Why Skrein was replaced
- Kino.de: Daario Naharis ab Staffel 4
- ComicBookMovie: Huisman replaces Skrein
Quick answer: Two actors played Daario Naharis in HBO's Game of Thrones. Ed Skrein played him in season 3, and Michiel Huisman took over for seasons 4 to 6.
That swap confused a lot of viewers in 2014. The hair changed, the attitude shifted, and nobody on screen explained why. This guide covers who played the role, what changed, and what we actually know about the recast.
Who Is the Daario Naharis Actor?
The honest answer is "it depends on the season." Bustle confirms that British actor Ed Skrein played the part in season 3, while Dutch actor Michiel Huisman played it in seasons 4 through 6.
| Detail | Ed Skrein | Michiel Huisman |
|---|---|---|
| Seasons | Season 3 | Seasons 4 to 6 |
| Nationality | English | Dutch |
| Look on screen | Long, blonde hair, clean-shaven | Shorter dark hair, scruffy beard |
| Tone | Cocky and arrogant | Moodier and more brooding |
Sources: Bustle, SoapCentral.
Who Is Daario Naharis in the Story?
Daario is a Tyroshi sellsword. In George R.R. Martin's novels, he is a captain of the Stormcrows, according to A Wiki of Ice and Fire. The TV series places him in a company called the Second Sons instead.
He first appears when Yunkai hires his company to fight Daenerys Targaryen. Here is what happens next:
- Daenerys offers the captains gold if they switch sides.
- Daario, won over by her, kills two fellow captains.
- He brings their heads to Daenerys as proof of loyalty.
- His company then helps her take Yunkai and Meereen.
Ser Jorah Mormont never trusts him. The same wiki records that Jorah calls Daario a false man. Nobody said sellswords were warm.
How Did the Character Evolve Between Actors?
Bustle describes Skrein's version as clean-shaven with long blonde hair. It describes Huisman's version as scruffier, darker and more brooding.
The Skrein version (season 3)
- Cocky: Westeros.org called him cocky and dangerous.
- Brief: AceShowbiz reports he appeared in only three episodes.
- Bold: He won Daenerys over by killing his own captains.
The Huisman version (seasons 4 to 6)
- Steady: He became a close adviser and companion to Daenerys.
- Less arrogant: SoapCentral notes that viewers found him less haughty.
- Left behind: In season 6, Daenerys sails for Westeros without him.
That last point matters. The Ringer reports that she ordered Daario and the Second Sons to keep the peace in Meereen, Yunkai and Astapor. He never returned on screen after that.
Why Was Daario Naharis Recast?
This is the part most articles get wrong. Nobody has confirmed a single official reason. Here is what the record shows.
| Claim | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Huisman replaced Skrein for season 4 | Confirmed | ComicBookMovie, citing The Hollywood Reporter |
| Skrein left for a Transporter reboot | Reported, not confirmed | The Daily Beast |
| Skrein blamed "politics" | His own account | SoapCentral |
| HBO and Skrein have not revisited it | Reported | Kino.de |
The Daily Beast said Skrein, then 31, reportedly left to replace Jason Statham in a rebooted Transporter series. Kino.de adds that he would have been busy with The Transporter Refueled.
AceShowbiz reports that Skrein wanted to stay for several seasons. So the scheduling story and Skrein's "politics" comment do not fully match. Treat both as unsettled.
How Did Michiel Huisman Describe the Switch?
In a Daily Beast interview, the then 32-year-old Huisman said the producers hoped audiences would forgive the change. They wanted viewers to accept him as Daario from then on.
He arrived with solid credentials. The Daily Beast lists Treme, Nashville and Orphan Black on his résumé by 2014. Bustle also points to The Haunting of Hill House and The Flight Attendant later on.
What Happened After Game of Thrones?
- Ed Skrein: SoapCentral lists Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver and Jurassic World Rebirth among his projects.
- Michiel Huisman: He kept working across US television and film.
- Daario: He left the show alive, so his story never ended in bloodshed.
Fans still ask whether he would return. The Ringer noted that Huisman said he was "not allowed to say" ahead of season 8. Daario did not come back.
Quick Facts Checklist
- Season 3 actor: Ed Skrein.
- Seasons 4 to 6 actor: Michiel Huisman.
- Skrein's run: three episodes.
- Source books: A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin.
- Final on-screen fate: left in Meereen to keep order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who played Daario Naharis first?
Ed Skrein played him first, in season 3. Michiel Huisman replaced him from season 4.
Why did Daario Naharis change actors?
No official reason exists. Reports point to a Transporter reboot, while Skrein himself has cited "politics."
Which seasons feature Michiel Huisman?
Huisman appears in seasons 4, 5 and 6. Daario does not appear after season 6.
Is Daario Naharis the same in the books?
Not exactly. Wikipedia notes he is mostly a background character in the novels. He also leads the Stormcrows, not the Second Sons.
Keep Reading
- Meet the Goliath cast for another look at actors and their roles.
- Netflix plans compared if you are budgeting for streaming.
Sources
- Bustle: Why Daario Naharis Was Recast
- The Daily Beast: Michiel Huisman interview
- Westeros.org: Daario Naharis Recast
- A Wiki of Ice and Fire: Daario Naharis
- Wikipedia: Daario Naharis
- The Ringer: Will Daario return?
- AceShowbiz: Why Daario was recast
- SoapCentral: Why Skrein was replaced
- Kino.de: Daario Naharis ab Staffel 4
- ComicBookMovie: Huisman replaces Skrein