By Megan Riedlinger
6:08am PDT, Sep 10, 2019
Sometimes your favorite stars are totally unrecognizable in their roles. Ahead of the Primetime Emmy Awards on Sept. 22, 2019, Wonderwall.com is taking a look at what this year's crop of nominees look like in costume vs. in real life. First up? Michelle Williams on FX's "Fosse/Verdon." The actress completely transformed to take on the role of Gwen Verdon, an actress and dancer who had both a personal and professional relationship with director and choreographer Bob Fosse (played by Sam Rockwell, who you'll see later). Not only did she transform into the star in her younger days, but in her older days as well, requiring plenty of prosthetics and various eras of wardrobe. Keep reading to see the star's real-life look and check out the rest of the nominees in costume and in real life…
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Joey King brought Gypsy Rose Blanchard's chilling early years to life on Hulu's "The Act." For the role, the star shaved her head and rocked glasses and childish clothing a la Gypsy. As a girl, Gypsy was abused by mother Dee Dee Blanchard, whom experts believed had Munchausen syndrome by proxy as she insisted Gypsy was sick and kept her in a wheelchair. The performance earned Joey a best lead actress in a limited TV series or movie nomination. But in real life, Joey looks very different…
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Joey King is a stylish 20 year old who, prior to landing "The Act," was best known for her starring turn in the Netflix smash hit movie "The Kissing Booth." She wore this gorgeous green two-piece ensemble to the Television Academy's Performers Peer Group Celebration in August and sported short hair that's grown out nicely since she shaved her head to play Gypsy.
Emilia Clarke brought Daenerys Targaryen to life over eight seasons of "Game of Thrones," complete with an opulent wardrobe and beautiful white-blonde hair. The actress is up for best lead actress in a drama series for her work on the final season of the show. Off-screen, Emilia looks nothing like her most famous character…
Emilia Clarke's tresses are dark in real life, and the star has been known to rock a feminine and fabulous ballgown every now and then. Take this gorgeous red dress she wore to the Time 100 Gala earlier this year, for instance.
Niecy Nash played Korey Wise's mother, Delores Wise, on "When They See Us," the dramatic Netflix miniseries about the 1989 Central Park jogger case, in which her son was wrongly accused of assault and rape and tried as an adult though he was only 16. We almost didn't recognize the usually glamorous Niecy as a concerned, buttoned-up mom. She earned a best lead actress in a limited TV series or movie nod for her work on the project. See what she usually rocks next…
That's the Niecy we know! Niecy Nash rocked a hot pink pantsuit to an event in August with big hair to match — a world away from her character's demure wardrobe.
Alfie Allen played Theon Greyjoy on "Game of Thrones." He earned a best supporting actor in a drama series nomination for his performance, which required him to wear armor-like leather costumes most of the time.
When he's not covered in armor, Alfie Allen cleans up nicely! The actor attended the final season premiere of "Game of Thrones" in April in a midnight blue suit and cropped hair.
Moira Rose's wardrobe could serve as another character on the beloved comedy "Schitt's Creek." Catherine O'Hara plays the stylish former socialite who finds herself living amongst normal folk in a tiny town — and still manages to retain her unique couture closet. The performance earned Catherine a best lead actress in a comedy series nomination and the character inspired some of her own red carpet looks…
Alright, so this one is not a stretch! Catherine O'Hara carried her Moira fashion sense over to real life at the 2019 Tony Awards where she rocked a black-and-white-striped dress that would have made her fashionista alter ego proud.
The role of Sansa Stark on "Game of Thrones" catapulted Sophie Turner to fame back on Season 1. After the eighth and final season aired, Sophie picked up a best supporting actress in a drama series nomination for her portrayal of the red-headed would-be Queen in the North — who was often seen wearing warm furs over her elegant dresses.
Though Sansa is pretty fashionable, off-camera, Sophie Turner puts her to shame. The star is known for pushing the envelope in the fashion department — take this cool crop top and jeans combo she wore to a movie premiere earlier this year, for example. She's also been known to experiment with edgy makeup which, unfortunately, wasn't popular at Winterfell.
Like Sophie Turner, we watched Maisie Williams grow up on "Game of Thrones." She's now Emmy-nominated as a best supporting actress for her work as Arya Stark, who donned armor on many occasions. But in real life, fans might be surprised to see what Maisie usually wears…
Not only does Maisie Williams love to experiment with unique fashion — she also loves to change up her hair color! The actress is seen here with pink locks wearing a funky getup of mismatched prints while attending Comic-Con in San Diego in July.
"Fosse/Verdon" is an FX miniseries that chronicled the relationship between director-choreographer Bob Fosse, played by Sam Rockwell, and actress-dancer Gwen Verdon, played by Michelle Williams. Sam underwent a major transformation to portray the real-life character and earned himself a best lead actor in a limited series or movie nod.
In real life, Sam Rockwell had to shave his head every day to portray Bob Fosse, and he seemed to embrace the new hairstyle even after filming wrapped. Here's the star looking dapper in a black suit at the Oscar Nominees Luncheon earlier this year.
Patricia Arquette completely transformed to play Dee Dee Blanchard — a mother believes to have Munchausen syndrome by proxy — on "The Act." Her work as the complicated mom nabbed her a best supporting actress in a limited TV series or movie nomination.
Patricia Arquette looks nothing like Dee Dee Blanchard in real life, though she did a phenomenal job turning into the late real-life woman for the Hulu series. The star looked every bit the actress at the Filming Italy Sardinia Festival in June in a gorgeous yellow short-sleeved dress that was worlds away from Dee Dee's wardrobe.
Natasha Lyonne stars on the Netflix series "Russian Doll" as game developer Nadia Vulvokov, who continues to live the same night over and over while attempting to solve her own death. That means she spends most of the series in the same outfit, while in real life, Natasha has been known to sport some pretty cool looks on the red carpet…
Look at this stunning sparkly number! Natasha Lyonne donned this gorgeous long-sleeved black sequined design for the Vanity Fair Oscar Party earlier this year, a step up from the outfit repeating she had to do on "Russian Doll."
Gwendoline Christie played warrior Brienne of Tarth on "Game of Thrones," which means she was typically dressed to fight. But in real life, the best supporting actress in a drama series nominee is an impossibly stylish star…
Look at this gorgeous gown! Gwendoline Christie regularly shuts down red carpets just like she did in this stunning multicolored confection at the "Game of Thrones" Season 8 premiere in April.
While playing Annalise Keating on "How to Get Away with Murder," Viola Davis sports a lot of attorney-approved fashion (read: business-casual looks). Off-screen, the best lead actress in a drama series nominee is a lot more glamorous.
At the BAFTAs earlier this year, Viola Davis proved she beats Annalise Keating in the style department. The star, who's been known to kill it on the red carpet, wore this gorgeous black-and-silver gown with a bow detail at the neckline.
Vera Farmiga had a role on the dramatic Netflix miniseries "When They See Us," playing Elizabeth Lederer in the tragic tale of the 1989 Central Park jogger case in which five male suspects were prosecuted on charges related to a rape and assault. For the role, she had to transport back to the late '80s when it came to fashion and this permed hairstyle. She picked up a best supporting actress in a limited series or movie nomination for her work.
No perm here! Vera Farmiga sported her usual sleek dark hair while attending a June movie premiere, where she also wore this funky black-and-white frock.
On "The Good Place," best actor in a comedy series nominee Ted Danson plays Michael, the architect in charge of running the afterlife neighborhood. The role sees him in clean-cut suits and bow ties.
Off-screen, Ted Danson dresses just as sharp as Michael! He's seen here at an Emmy nominee celebration in August rocking a sleek navy blue suit.
Netflix's "GLOW" centers around the world of women's professional wrestling in the '80s — which means there are plenty of killer uniforms on the series. Betty Gilpin plays Debbie "Liberty Belle" Eagan, who rocks some pretty great Lycra. In real life, the best supporting actress in a comedy series nominee looks very different…
This long-sleeved conservative black dress is a world away from Betty Gilpin's "GLOW" costumes! Betty Gilpin typically dresses in sleek and modern looks, like she did for an appearance at a SAG-AFTRA event for her show in August.
Best lead actress in a drama series nominee Mandy Moore does a serious transformation for her role on "This Is Us." To play Rebecca Pearson on the hit NBC series, Mandy sometimes has to age forward, which means the actress dons prosthetics to look like a convincing mother of three adult children. That also means she dons a more mature wardrobe to make older Rebecca more convincing.
When she's not playing Rebecca Pearson, Mandy Moore dresses like a regular starlet. The actress donned this unique black, tan and white design at an Emmy nominee celebration in August.
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau played Jaime Lannister on "Game of Thrones," a role that often had him in elaborate aristocrat garb (he also had a gold prosthetic hand). Nikolaj, who is up for best supporting actor in a drama series, is a much more modern dresser in real life…
Though he's handsome in his Lannister garb too, we prefer Nikolaj Coster-Waldau's fresh red carpet style. He wore this powder blue suit to the ACM Awards in April.
Next up? Jamie Lannister's twin sister (and lover) Cersei Lannister, whose evil was brought to life by Lena Headey on "Game of Thrones." Her turn on the last season earned her a best supporting actress in a drama series nomination as she played the infamously evil blonde queen who temporarily sat on the Iron Throne. In real life, Lena keeps things much more casual…
Lena Headey has a tendency to keep things much more relaxed than Cersei Lannister. Case in point? Her look during a Build Series visit earlier this year, where she rocked a low-key sweatshirt and jeans with her dark hair down… and no crown in sight!
Rachel Brosnahan brings Midge Maisel to life on the critically acclaimed "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. She picked up a best lead actress in a comedy series Emmy last year and this year, she's up for the honor again for her work on the show, which is set in New York City in the late '50s. That means on-screen Rachel is often rocking gorgeous vintage looks…
In real life, however, Rachel Brosnahan dresses much more modern than alter ego Mrs. Maisel. Take this pretty ruffled floral gown she wore earlier this summer at the Tony Awards, for example. Though Rachel's wardrobe is updated, she still tends to favor more feminine fabrics and silhouettes, like her character.
On "Pose," Billy Porter plays Pray Tell, a fashion designer, mentor and emcee of the New York ballroom scene in the '80s and '90s. The role calls for some elaborate getups, like this fuzzy leopard-print jacket and top hat combo. Off screen, this best lead actor in a drama series nominee keeps things just as fun…
Billy Porter has been known to rock some elaborate looks on the red carpet — like this tuxedo-ballgown hybrid he donned at the Academy Awards in 2019. One thing is for sure: His looks are never boring!
On the British spy thriller "Killing Eve," Jodie Comer plays a psychopath assassin named Villanelle who's seen here in a bubblegum pink ballgown… the opposite of a killer's usual wardrobe. Jodie picked up a best lead actress in a drama series nod this year! Off screen, Jodie's wardrobe looks a bit different…
No ballgowns here! Jodie Comer opted for a sleek and sophisticated LBD for the "Killing Eve" premiere in Los Angeles in April. She also rocked darker hair than she does on the show.
Season 3 of "True Detective" starred Mahershala Ali as Wayne Hays, a detective in Arkansas who's also a Vietnam War vet in the show's 1980 timeline (there were three interwoven timelines throughout the season). For that reason, the actor gets to wear some great '80s ensembles, but in real life, the best lead actor in a limited series or movie nominee is a pretty snazzy and modern dresser.
When he's not playing a detective, Mahershala Ali is an amazing dresser. Just look at this cool ensemble he wore to an event in April where he paired a suit jacket with a red-and-white-striped shirt with a bandana detail!
Best lead actress in a limited TV series or movie nominee Amy Adams starred as Camille Preaker on HBO's "Sharp Objects." While playing a reporter who recently got out of a psychiatric hospital, her character typically wore casual clothes… nothing like what we're used to seeing the star in on the red carpet.
Off screen, Amy Adams is an A-list movie star who spends a lot of time all dolled up on red carpets. Take this stunning turn at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party, for instance, where she wore a deep emerald green gown with a plunging neckline.
