Fifteen years ago, when Game of Thrones premiered, it changed the television landscape and made its cast famous overnight. While stars like Kit Harington, Peter Dinklage, and Emilia Clarke are still synonymous with the world of Westeros today, their filmographies extend far beyond HBO's masterpiece. Exploring the other roles of Game of Thrones actors offers viewers an entertaining experience, whether they encounter happier endings or less complicated stories.

One of the most controversial characters in Game of Thrones, Jaime Lannister, was portrayed by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau throughout all eight seasons. At the beginning of the series, Jaime is perhaps seen as the least likable character—after all, he throws a child out of a window in the first episode—but his character development reveals that there is more to him beyond his horrific actions, culminating in a satisfying redemption arc. Coster-Waldau had the opportunity to play a captivating and multifaceted character, but this was not his first time. Three years before Game of Thrones, the actor starred in Fox's New Amsterdam, and looking back, it’s clear that the show was ahead of its time.

New Amsterdam premiered on Fox in March 2008, showcasing Coster-Waldau as John Amsterdam, an ordinary homicide detective in New York. However, he has a secret: he is actually an immortal man born in 1607. When he saves the life of a Native American woman at the age of 35, she grants him immortality—with one condition. He cannot die and will remain the same age until he finds his soulmate; only then can he finally grow old. As John solves murders with his new partner Eva Marquez (Zuleikha Robinson), he grapples with whether he will ever encounter the person who could change his fate after centuries.

Meanwhile, New Amsterdam presented flashbacks revealing the key events in John's long life, set against the backdrop of significant historical events like the Civil War and Prohibition. This element distinguished the show from other police procedural dramas—even those currently airing. While many series blend speculative or fantastical storytelling with straightforward episodic structures, New Amsterdam positioned itself primarily as a character study.

Thus, New Amsterdam was a perfect pre-Game of Thrones series for Coster-Waldau. In the role of Jaime, he showcased the depth of someone who seemed irredeemable, transforming into an anti-hero embraced by many viewers. John Amsterdam, while not as villainous, was a complex character who had the opportunity to essentially be different people over the centuries. New Amsterdam allowed Coster-Waldau to portray someone undergoing significant change, and the flashback format enabled him to highlight this transformation within a single episode.

Today, there is a greater interest in network procedurals. Classics like NCIS and Criminal Minds regularly draw large streaming numbers, while High Potential and 9-1-1 boast some of the most active fan bases. With its premise combining crime-solving with fantastical elements, New Amsterdam could have beautifully aligned with other fan-favorite titles in the genre. Beyond providing reliable stories through the weekly case format, John's quest to end his immortality could have been an additional compelling element to keep viewers engaged. New Amsterdam also featured John's 65-year-old son Omar (Stephen