There’s a moment in Game of Thrones when Jaime Lannister, the Kingslayer who pushed a child from a tower, begins to earn a sliver of sympathy. That shift was almost entirely due to Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, the Danish actor who played the role across all eight seasons. His performance turned a reviled character into one of the series’ most complex figures.
Born: 27 July 1970 ·
Nationality: Danish ·
Profession: Actor, producer, screenwriter ·
Known for: Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones ·
Spouse: Nukâka Coster-Waldau (m. 1998) ·
Languages: Danish, English, some French and Swedish
Quick snapshot
- Born 27 July 1970 in Rudkøbing, Denmark (IMDb)
- Graduated from Danish National School of Theatre in 1993 (IMDb)
- Played Jaime Lannister for all 8 seasons (Television Academy)
- Married to Nukâka since 1998 (Wikipedia)
- 1970: Born in Rudkøbing (All American Speakers)
- 1993: Graduated from drama school (All American Speakers)
- 2011-2019: Jaime Lannister on HBO (All American Speakers)
- 2016: Appointed UNDP Goodwill Ambassador (All American Speakers)
- Upcoming Netflix thriller The Last Thing He Told Me (Conservation Film Festival)
- Conservation documentary An Optimist’s Guide to the Planet (Conservation Film Festival)
Six biographical facts, one pattern: Coster-Waldau’s career is defined by a deliberate shift from Danish cinema to global television, then to advocacy — each phase leaving its own mark on the record.
The table below captures the basic biographical data.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Nikolaj William Coster-Waldau |
| Date of birth | 27 July 1970 |
| Place of birth | Rudkøbing, Denmark |
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) |
| Spouse | Nukâka Coster-Waldau |
| Children | 2 |
Did the actor of Jaime Lannister change?
No — Nikolaj Coster-Waldau portrayed Jaime Lannister across all eight seasons of Game of Thrones (2011–2019). No recasting occurred. The role earned him a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2018, according to the Television Academy (industry awards body).
The implication: the Jaime Lannister character’s development over the decade was shaped entirely by one actor’s performance, making Coster-Waldau’s interpretation the definitive one for a generation of viewers.
What is Nikolaj Coster-Waldau doing now?
- He continues acting in film and television, including a role in the upcoming Netflix series The Last Thing He Told Me.
- He is working on wildlife conservation in Kenya, particularly in the Maasai Mara, through his role as a UNDP Goodwill Ambassador (United Nations development arm) since 2016.
That advocacy has taken him to Rwanda, the Maldives, Thailand, and the Peruvian Amazon to film climate-focused documentaries. One such project, An Optimist’s Guide to the Planet, features him meeting activists and scientists who turn environmental angst into action, as profiled by the Conservation Film Festival (environmental film organization).
The pattern: Coster-Waldau has moved beyond acting into a full-time advocacy role, using his platform to spotlight climate issues — a path that aligns with his earlier travel documentary Through Greenland – With Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, listed on IMDb (film & TV database).
Does Nikolaj Coster-Waldau speak other languages?
Yes. He is fluent in Danish (his native language) and English. He also has some knowledge of French and Swedish, according to his IMDb profile (actor credits and biographies). This multilingual ability reflects his Danish upbringing combined with years working internationally.
The pattern: his linguistic range mirrors his career trajectory — starting in Danish-language films then moving into English-language global productions.
Are Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Peter Dinklage friends?
Both actors have publicly expressed mutual respect. In interviews, Dinklage praised Coster-Waldau’s depth as a scene partner, while Coster-Waldau has spoken warmly about their shared time on set. No public reports of any conflict exist. According to an Entertainment Weekly interview (industry magazine), Dinklage described working with Coster-Waldau as one of the highlights of the series.
The trade-off: while not necessarily close off-set, their professional rapport contributed to the on-screen brotherly tension that defined two key characters.
Coster-Waldau’s performance as Jaime Lannister created a redemption arc that viewers still debate — a rare feat for a character introduced as a villain. That acting choice, supported by Dinklage’s complementary performance, shaped how audiences remember the series.
What is Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s net worth?
Reportedly, his net worth is estimated at around $16 million, based on multiple celebrity wealth aggregators. However, no verified financial disclosure exists. A 2024 video profile on YouTube (social video platform) echoed the same figure, while Koimoi (celebrity news site) listed him among the wealthier Game of Thrones cast members. These figures should be treated as estimates.
The catch: without public tax filings, exact net worth remains in the “unclear” category — a pattern common for actors who don’t self-disclose.
Timeline: Key moments in his career
- : Born in Rudkøbing, Denmark.
- : Graduated from the Danish National School of Theatre (IMDb).
- : Film debut in Nightwatch.
- : U.S. film debut in Black Hawk Down, playing Medal of Honor recipient Gary Gordon (Television Academy).
- : Appeared in Kingdom of Heaven.
- : Played Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones.
- : Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor.
- : Starred in and produced The Silencing.
- : Announced role in Netflix thriller The Last Thing He Told Me.
What’s confirmed and what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Born 27 July 1970 in Rudkøbing
- Married to Nukâka since 1998
- Fluent in Danish and English
- Played Jaime Lannister for all 8 seasons
- UNDP Goodwill Ambassador since 2016
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth (reported $16 million is unverified)
- Specific religious beliefs
In their own words
“I always felt that Jaime was a man who was trapped between the man he wanted to be and the man he was expected to be.” — Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, interviewed by The Guardian (UK newspaper)
“Nikolaj is one of those actors who makes everyone around him better. He brought a humanity to Jaime that wasn’t on the page.” — Peter Dinklage, interviewed by Entertainment Weekly (US entertainment magazine)
For the audience that followed him from Danish arthouse to HBO’s global phenomenon, the arc is incomplete without understanding his current work. Coster-Waldau is no longer just the Kingslayer — he’s now the father, ambassador, and documentary host who could shift his reputation as quickly as he once shifted Jaime’s. For viewers wondering whether he’s still acting, the answer is yes, but the more interesting performance may be happening off-screen, in the Maasai Mara.
Frequently asked questions
What was Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s breakthrough role?
His Danish breakthrough was Nightwatch (1994), but his global breakthrough came as Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones (2011).
How many seasons did he appear in Game of Thrones?
All eight seasons, from 2011 to 2019.
Did Nikolaj Coster-Waldau win any awards?
He received a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in 2018, but did not win. He has won several Danish awards for his early film work.
Is Nikolaj Coster-Waldau active on social media?
He uses Instagram, but his presence is moderate and focused on conservation and personal updates.
What are his upcoming projects?
He stars in Netflix’s The Last Thing He Told Me and hosts the documentary series An Optimist’s Guide to the Planet.
Does he have a production company?
He co-founded the production company Hekla with his wife Nukâka, which has produced projects like The Silencing.
Where does he currently live?
He splits his time between Denmark and Los Angeles.
Related reading: Alexander Skarsgård: Relationships, Family, and Health Rumors · Olga Kurylenko: Height, Children, Net Worth, and Home
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Australian Insight, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.