‘Game of Thrones’ stars visit ‘Sesame Street’

On HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” Peter Dinklage and Lena Headey play murderous siblings, driven by their mutual hatred of each other and their twisted sexual appetites (he for prostitutes, she for her twin brother). On PBS’ “Sesame Street,” those same actors play themselves as teachers of such childhood basics as relaxation and the rules of Simon Says.

Dinklage and Headey appeared on “Sesame Street” on Friday and it appeared to be a refreshing change of pace for both performers. Dinklage got the opportunity to sing while Headey got to act in a scene with a muppet character, Murray, who had considerably more charm than most of the residents of Westeros she normally appears on-screen with.

On “Game of Thrones,” Headey plays Cersei Lannister, mother of the sociopathic ruler of the Seven Kingdoms, Joffrey Baratheon, whose desire for power and respect has left bodies in her path. Dinklage plays her younger brother, Tyrion, whose short stature and keen intelligence have earned him nothing but scorn and mistrust from his elder sister.

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“Game of Thrones” may be a strict no-kid zone (at least in the audience), but Dinklage and Headey aren’t the first actors with grown-up followings who have made the journey to the long-running kids show, which began its 44th season this week.

Other guest stars from the current season who are probably more familiar to parents include Rutina Wesley from HBO’s “True Blood” and Oscar winners Forest Whitaker and Charlize Theron.

Last season, “Mad Men’s” Jon Hamm and “Justified’s” Timothy Olyphant mingled with the puppet people. Even Tony Soprano, the late James Gandolfini made a “Sesame Street” appearance, talking about fears. (No, getting whacked wasn’t discussed.)

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