'Game of Thrones' Cast: Meet Season 8's Stars

In its eight seasons on the air, the cast of Game of Thrones have become some of the biggest stars in the world.

Game of Thrones returned on Sunday with the season premiere of its final installment. The show has dominated the world of TV for the better part of a decade, and in that time its sprawling cast of characters have become familiar faces for fans.

More recently, the actors themselves have become pop cultural icons. The performers who bring Game of Thrones to life were largely unknown before the show began -- with a few exceptions -- and today they are celebrities of the highest order. Fans flock to any appearance, interview or social media outlet where they can hear the people of Westeros speak.

It can be hard to keep track of a cast this huge, across so many seasons and disparate storylines. At times, Game of Thrones has seemed to contain various shows, with plots playing out in different kingdoms that did not effect each other for years at a time.

That is changing as the show nears its epic conclusion. Not only has Daenerys Targaryen finally sailed her enormous retinue to Westeros, she has joined with Jon Snow and his people in the north. Many other are flocking there as well, and soon they will all stand together in the War for the Dawn.

Here is a look at the stars of Game of Thrones Season 8.