Game of Thrones characters in real life – pictures

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Game of Thrones has been nominated for Emmy Awards for best costume, make-up and hairstyling every year since the series first premiered in 2011.

Designers and stylists have been honoured for transforming the show's actors into the characters its fans have grown to love, from Daenerys Targaryen's platinum braids and Cersei Lannister's power breastplates to The Hound's facial burns and Shireen Baratheon's greyscale.

Dozens of wigs are used on the show, as well as plenty of hair dye to master the perfect Tully red or Lannister blonde. It also takes a lot of "dirt powder" - a real make-up product - to get the perfect "peasant of the North" look.

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For the latest season, finale The Winds of Winter impressed the Emmy costume judges. This included Cersei's coronation gown, designed by GoT veteran Michele Clapton and made from leather and textured brocade.

With all the work that goes into bringing George RR Martin's books to life, some of the actors look almost unrecognisable when they are out of character.

Click on the gallery above to see some of the show's favourite cast members in real life.