Top 20 Game Of Thrones Characters | Game Of Thrones Cast

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Game Of Thrones Characters – The night is dark and full of terrors, and so is the prospect of narrowing down the Top 20 characters on Game of Thrones. Few TV series in the past decade have had quite the cultural impact as HBO’s hit fantasy drama, and few characters have become as entrenched in pop culture as the Starks, the Lannisters and, of course, Daenerys Targaryen.

But which GoT characters will endure the test of time as the greatest the TV show has to offer? We gathered together IGN’s Small Council to determine which of the series’ vast array of characters will make the Top 20. Who will win this Iron Throne? Continue reading to find out.

The criteria we examined:

The character’s active participation in the story, and influence on the narrative and significance in the show.
How great or memorable a character is as a combination of strong writing, a standout performance and impact on the legacy of Game of Thrones.

For the purposes of this ranking:

Characters were judged on their merit only from their roles in the TV show, not George R.R. Martin’s novels.
Animals — cute cats, dragons, direwolves or otherwise — were not included in this list. Sorry, Ser Pounce fans.

Top 20 Game Of Thrones Characters | Game Of Thrones Cast

20. Margaery Tyrell

ACTORNatalie Dormer

DEBUTSeason 2

ERIC GOLDMANMargaery Tyrell … So sweet. So conniving. So giving. So manipulative. In a world many characters are pretty easy to describe, what made Margaery so fun is she defied an easy description. But what’s become clear over time is that Margaery was, above all else, incredibly ambitious and — aligned with her fierce grandmother, Olenna — always ready with a new plan to secure a place at the top of King’s Landing. So did she really care about the poor, or was it all an act to secure their support? Did she have any genuine compassion for young, overwhelmed Tommen, or was she only making sure the young King was under her control, as she strove to gain control from Cersei? Or was the true answer somewhere in the middle, and her moments of compassion were at least somewhat genuine, but still not at the expense of her quest for power? The answer is up to each viewer, which made Margaery a very fun character to watch as she constantly came up with new solutions to the obstacles put in front of her … until there was no solution to be had.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

Margaery shows her political savvy when she doesn’t want to be “a queen,” she wants to be “thequeen.”
Her political rivalry with Cersei backfires when she is forced to atone for her sins with the High Sparrow.
She’ll always have a special place in our hearts for gifting her husband Tommen with Ser Pounce.

19. Theon Greyjoy

ACTORAlfie Allen

DEBUTSeason 1

JIM VEJVODARaised as the hostage-ward-surrogate son of Ned Stark following his father’s failed rebellion, Theon Greyjoy never quite belonged in the Stark family despite being a foster brother to Ned’s kids. His complicated feelings towards the Starks, his resentments, and desire to assert himself as heir to the Iron Islands lead not only to his betrayal of the Starks but also to his own destruction as a man. Tortured and maimed by Ramsay Snow after his failed coup, Theon became a shell of a human who only answered to the name “Reek.” When a slim chance for atonement — in the form of helping Sansa Stark — presented itself, he failed. Now reunited with his sister Yara, we will see how much of the old Theon might resurface as the Greyjoys mount their campaign for the Iron Throne — and if he is truly beyond redemption.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

Theon earns the audience’s anger when he betrays the Starks and takes over Winterfell.
He then earns the audience’s sympathy when he gets captured and tortured by Ramsay Bolton for seasons.
Theon earns his redemption by helping Sansa Stark escape the sadistic Ramsay.

18. Melisandre

ACTORCarice Von Houten

DEBUTSeason 2

MARTY SLIVAThe Red Woman’s role as a shadowbinder, priestess and influencer of Stannis Boratheon has proven to be one of the most crucial in all of Game of Thrones. Whether it’s her agelessness and admiration for magical jewelry, or her creating a shadow demon to assassinate Stannis’ enemies, Melisandre begins the series with unwavering faith that she has identified the messiah of Westeros. That makes it all the more powerful when those she has placed the utmost faith in start dying around her, forcing her to come to the realization that her religion has failed her — or at least not been as easily interpretated as she originally believed. The night is dark and full of terrors, indeed.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

Birthing a shadow demon to kill Renly Baratheon. Hand’s down.
Melisandre removes her magic disguise and reveals herself to be an incredibly old (and tired) woman.
But nothing tops when Melisandre proved to be the MVP of Season 6 by resurrecting Jon Snow.

17. Sandor “The Hound” Clegane

ACTORRory McCann

DEBUTSeason 1

KATHLEEN LUEVANOHe may not be the most lovable character, and there have definitely been times we’ve hated him, but Sandor “The Hound” Clegane ranks up there on our list. He is one of the most dangerous and feared men in Westeros, but his character arc is one of the most interesting. Sandor grew up in the shadows of his older brother, Gregor Clegane, until he was eventually appointed to be the guard for Joffrey Baratheon. But while being in that shadow gave him a dark streak, it also gave him empathy for underlings that has translated into soft spots for both Sansa and Arya Stark. The Hound’s journey toward redemption is one of the most compelling narratives of the series — and it only helps that Rory McCann can steal every scene he’s in. The way he is able to subtly bring out Sandor’s goodness makes us like the character even more.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

We first see some of the Hound’s softer side when he brusquely comforts Sansa after Joffrey hits her in the Season 1 finale.
Remember, the Hound wants twochickens.
Thought dead, Sandor Clegane’s return in Season 6 was one of the show’s most unexpected and welcomed moments.

16. Bran Stark

ACTORIsaac Hempstead-Wright

DEBUTSeason 1

TERRI SCHWARTZBran Stark shows promise to be one of the most significant characters on Game of Thrones by the end of its run, though he hasn’t reached his full potential yet. In addition to helping set of the chain of events that kick off the drama in this series, his magical abilities offer a look into the more fantastical elements of this world. His journey to meet the Three-Eyed Raven culminated in his insightful flashbacks into the past, and it’s incredibly exciting to imagine just how much resonance the information he learns will have on the rest of this story.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

Proving you always listen to your mother, Bran accidentally finds the Lannister twins having sex, causing him to get pushed out a window.
Bran’s magical abilities begin to emerge when he connects with — and later meets — the Three-Eyed Raven.
Using his new Three-Eyed Raven abilities, Bran makes unintentional contact with the Night King.

15. Joffrey Baratheon

ACTORJack Gleeson

DEBUTSeason 1

BRANDIN TYRRELIt’s a credit to actor Jack Gleeson that most of the world hates his face. The sneery, whiny, sadistic former boy-king of Westeros went on a many-year rampage during his tenure on the Iron Throne. His slow transformation from privileged brat to torture-loving, self-righteous monster was like watching a train wreck unfold in slow motion – becoming more destructive and hard to fathom with each passing moment. But his importance to the show and events unfolding can’t be understated. Joffrey was ultimately responsible for the execution of Ned Stark – deciding at the last moment the “traitor” should lose his head rather than take the black. Outside his direct contributions to the destabilization of the kingdom, his wild unpredictability and apathy toward the good of his people forced those around him to elevate themselves. Characters like Tywin, Tyrion, Cersei, and Sansa all had to step into new roles to either try and repair the damage that followed him, or just learn to survive him. Whether we like him or not, Joffrey was a catalyst of incredible change in Game of Thrones, and for that we have to acknowledge his importance, even if he is, without a doubt, just the absolute worst.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

We start to despise Joffrey when he lies about Arya and Nymeria attacking him, causing the deaths of Mycah and the direwolf Lady.
Joffrey earns our permanent hate when he orders the beheading of Ned Stark.
Fortunately, we’ll always be able to remember how purple his face got when he was murdered on his wedding day.

14. Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish

ACTORAidan Gillan

DEBUTSeason 1

JOSHUA YEHLLord Petyr Baelish, aka Littlefinger, orchestrated the entire conspiracy that kicked off the events of Game of Thrones by plotting the death of Ned Stark’s good friend Jon Arryn and using that to gain power in King’s Landing. The former Master of Coin and current Lord Protector of the Eyrie and the Vale of Arryn has a shrewd, calculating mind and rivals Varys for character with the most secrets and schemes. Everything Littlefinger has done in the series has been part of a master plan that allows him to climb the ladder of chaos all the way to the top, yet despite his backstabbing ways, his unrequited love for Catelyn and then her daughter Sansa adds a pitiful vulnerability to his otherwise slimy personality.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

Littlefinger turns on Ned in Season 1, an event that leads to the elder Stark’s death. “I did warn you not to trust me.”
Baelish proves his affection for Sansa by rescuing her and smuggling her out of King’s Landing.
Thanks to Sansa’s plotting, Littlefinger saves the day at the Battle of the Bastards when he arrives with the Vale’s army.

13. Brienne of Tarth

ACTORGwendoline Christie

DEBUTSeason 2

JOSHUA YEHLBrienne of Tarth is a warrior woman in a man’s world. Mocked for her masculine appearance and unladylike features, she nevertheless strives to be a noble person and worthy knight. After failing to protect the one man who truly believed in her, Renly Baratheon, she found herself partnered with the antithesis of everything she stands for, Jaime Lannister. Yet the two wound up forming a strange bond at odds with their loyalties and Houses, creating one of the series’ most memorable duos. On the field of combat, Brienne’s brutish strength and efficient skill with Oathkeeper has seen her cut down numerous soldiers and even best the Hound in an unforgettably bloody and savage fight. As stalwart as she is formidable, Brienne is a unique and engaging character that’s hard not to root for.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

Brienne of Tarth earns our permanent love and respect when she fights to be a knight on Renly’s Kingsguard.
Though she’s had many great traveling companions, Jaime Lannister is her best. Case in point: that bath scene.
Fighting a bear at Harrenhal, thus bringing to life the song “The Bear and the Maiden Fair.”

12. Davos Seaworth

ACTORLiam Cunningham

DEBUTSeason 2

BRANDIN TYRRELIn the Game of Thrones world there aren’t many characters that are consistently likable, and genuine, without suffering a quick and terrible fate. Davos Seaworth, as of now, is one of those characters, though he’s no stranger to heartache and loss. Liam Cunningham’s gruff but lovable portrayal of Davos lends the show an element of humanity that’s often missing in the conniving machinations of the realm’s would-be kings, and supernatural high-stakes threats. It’s hard not to respect Davos, the smuggler turned kingly advisor serves as the shows de facto moral compass. He’s a humble man with a code who understands that the smart course of action is rarely the right the to do, and struggles to promote those beliefs and an internal sense of justice amid so many characters who are willing to lose themselves in the face of their own ambition. Whether he’s pushing those he believes in to believe in themselves, or delivering genuine, heartfelt pleas when all other options fail, Davos has time again proven that sacrifice in order to do what’s right for the good of the many is as kingly a goal as any claim to the throne.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

As Stannis’s Hand of the King, Davos leads the Baratheon fleet into the Battle of Blackwater.
Because Shireen Baratheon has taught him to read, Davos is the person who presents Stannis with the Night’s Watch’s plea for reinforcements.
It’s thanks to Davos’s testimony that Jon and Sansa earn the backing of Lady Mormont in Season 6.

11. Sansa Stark

ACTORSophie Turner

DEBUTSeason 1

ERIC GOLDMANTo say Sansa began Game of Thrones as the least likable member of the Stark family is an understatement. The polar opposite of her sister Arya, Sansa felt she deserved a life of luxury, as a Princess – and eventually a Queen. But as fate would have it, Sansa would instead learn some incredibly harsh and cruel lessons about how things really worked in Westeros, enduring unthinkable loses and pain along the way. What makes her stand out is that she did endure, though, not giving up where others would, and slowly but surely adapting to survive in this environment. She began to actually “play” the Game of Thrones, using Littlefinger’s unhealthy interest in her to her advantage when it counted the most, and eventually getting her well-deserved revenge on the loathsome Ramsay Bolton. She’s might never be a Cersei-level mastermind or run into battle like Arya, but Sansa’s transformation over the course of the series is one of the show’s most impressive.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

Not realizing how dangerous the world is, Sansa outs her father to Cersei in Season 1, which leads to his eventual capture and execution.
Disguised as “Alayne,” Sansa reveals her true identity to the lords of the Vale, reclaiming her power.
After suffering horrible torture and rape from her husband Ramsay Bolton, Sansa gets her revenge by feeding him to his dogs.

10. Catelyn Stark

ACTORMichelle Fairley

DEBUTSeason 1

MARTY SLIVACatelyn Stark is so much more than just the matriarch of the Stark family. Yes, her role as the lady of Winterfell means that her influence spread far and wide across her husband and children, all of which are vital to the entire Game of Thrones saga. But past that, watching her have to stand by and watch as her entire family is torn apart figuratively and literally through a series of horrific events cements her as one of the strongest, most steadfast figures in all of Westeros. Watching her decline is absolute devastating, and The Red Wedding acting as the punctuation mark at the end of all of this exists as one of the most tragic moments in the series.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

Not one to take orders, Catelyn captures Tyrion Lannister and takes him to the Vale to be tried for complicity in Jon Arryn’s murder.
Catelyn makes the rash decision to set free her son Robb’s prisoner, Jaime Lannister, in exchange for the safety of her daughters.
It’s Catelyn who realizes the deception at the Red Wedding, though too late, and we witness its horrors through her eyes.

9. Varys “The Spider”

ACTORConleth Hill

DEBUTSeason 1

JOSHUA YEHLAlso known as the Spider and Master of Whisperers, Varys is a spymaster is a key power player on Game of Thrones thanks to the secrets and information given to him by his informants, who he affectionately calls his “little birds.” He often finds himself at odds with Littlefinger, the only other character who can compete with him when it comes to secretly manipulating events to reach a larger goal. It was Varys who put Daenerys on the path to power and allowed Tyrion to escape execution to join her in an effort to return the Targaryens to the throne, which he claims he’s doing “for the good of the realm,” yet his true intentions are never quite certain. The calm and soft-spoken, Varys can be counted among the most dangerous and influential characters in the series.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

Arya overhears Varys and Illyrio Mopatis in Season 1 where they outline their plans to revive the Targaryen dynasty.
Varys became a eunuch when a sorcerer castrated him as part of a spell, an experience that has helped define him as a person.
Varys allies himself with Daenerys Targaryen, as was his plan all along, and sets sail to help her reclaim Westeros.

8. Tywin Lannister

ACTORCharles Dance

DEBUTSeason 1

BRANDIN TYRRELThere are few characters in Game of Thrones that are more singularly responsible for the political climate and power standing than Tywin Lannister. The influential and rightly feared head of House Lannister was responsible for the sacking of King’s Landing during Robert’s Rebellion, effectively ending the war, setting in motion the union between his house and the crown, and planting the seeds for nearly every major plotline to follow in the capitol. On the show, Charles Dance steals nearly every scene he’s in, commanding respect with his unnerving, contemplative mood. It’s a joy to watch otherwise powerful, formidable characters pause in reverence or fear in his presence, perfectly illustrated when Tyrion exclaimed, “You just sent the most powerful man in Westeros to bed without his supper.” As a force of change, he consistently drove other characters to evolve since his introduction on the show – challenging Jaime to become his true heir, forcing Cersei to put her house before herself, and reminding Tyrion of his lack of worth. Tywin is perhaps the best example, and practitioner, of the political players in Westeros.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

Newly arrived at Harrenhal, Tywin makes a girl disguised as a boy his new cupbearer, not realizing it’s actually Arya Stark.
Tywin tries his son Tyrion as Joffrey’s murderer, burning a bridge between them that can never be rebuilt.
For all his stature and honor, Tywin Lannister is murdered by his son while on the toilet.

7. Eddard Stark

ACTORSean Bean

DEBUTSeason 1

STEVE BUTTSEven putting aside Sean Bean’s star power, which was an important part of the show’s first season, the character of Eddard Stark does so much to set the tone of the show. His lessons about honor and loyalty and justice reverberate through the actions of his children, many of whom have become major players in the Game. And his execution in that first season further sent the message that maybe honor isn’t as practical as you might hope. Ned’s shadow looms large over the entire series, both as an example of the type of heroic figures we’re used to seeing in fantasy series, and as a major player whose actions still continue to ripple throughout the kingdom. I mean, he’s been dead for five seasons and he’s still getting new scenes.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

Ned begins GoT by teaching the audience and his children an important lesson in honor: “The man who carries the sentence swings the sword.”
Despite warnings to be more politically savvy, Ned confronts Cersei about what he’s learned about the legitimacy (or not) of her children.
In one of the shocking twists ever on TV, presumed main character Eddard Stark gets killed in the penultimate episode of Season 1.

6. Jaime Lannister

ACTORNikolaj Coster-Waldau

DEBUTSeason 1

JIM VEJVODAForever known as the infamous Kingslayer for his treacherous assassination of the Mad King, who he was sworn to protect, Jaime Lannister was once arguably the most formidable swordsman in Westeros and a character who seemed irredeemable. His passionate love for his twin sister Cersei (yep), his soft spot for his black sheep brother Tyrion, the loss of his sword hand and subsequent humbling, the deaths of his children and father, his bonds with Brienne and Bronn — all of these relationships and events have revealed Jaime Lannister to be a far more complicated and significant character than his earlier “Prince Charming from Shrek” persona indicated. While Jaime might not be as throughly rotten as he once seemed, he’s still not a man to let one’s guard down around.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

Jaime shows his true colors when he pushes Bran Stark out a window to protect his lover and family. “The things we do for love.”
Locke cuts of Jaime’s hand after he and Brienne are captured in Season 3.
Deciding to stay by Cersei’s side, he overtakes the siege at Riverrun and wins back the keep from the Blackfish.

5. Arya Stark

ACTORMaisie Williams

DEBUTSeason 1

STEVE BUTTSArya’s journey has had a few rough patches, both in terms of what the character has been through, and the stretches where the writers seemed to struggled to give her something interesting. But what makes her undeniably awesome is that she is the least powerful of the series’ principals, but has managed to keep her head while other stronger, smarter, and better connected Starks have lost theirs. She’s reinvented herself multiple times – a water dancer, Arry, a blind assassin, just to name a few – but her hard traveling twosome with the Hound is arguably one of the series’ best arcs.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

Arya’s first kill was a defining moment for her character. “Stick him with the pointy end.”
It’s small, but that time Arya laughed at the ridiculousness of Sansa leaving the Eyrie just before her arrival is one of her best moments.
Every mark checked off her death “prayer” is appreciated, but Walder Frey’s death was unexpectedly excellent.

4. Cersei Lannister

ACTORLena Headey

DEBUTSeason 1

TERRI SCHWARTZFlawed, vindictive and cunning, bullheaded, mad yet steadfast in her love of her children, there are few characters quite as dark and fascinating on Game of Thrones as Cersei Lannister. She is a woman in a man’s world who is fighting to be a political equal of men who view her lesser simply because of her gender. Her initial warning to Ned Stark — “when you play the game of thrones, you win or you die” — has proved to be her mantra, though there’s something to be respected about how she’s still standing while more likeable and honorable people fall around her. Even when she does the most hateful, awful things and spirals into madness, we still can’t help but respect how she’s clawed her way to the top.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

Some things you can never forget, like when Bran caught Cersei having sex with her brother.
The Walk of Shame is something we — and Cersei — will be remembering for a long time.
Despite losing pretty much everything, Cersei earned her grim satisfaction when she finally sat as queen on the Iron Throne.

3. Jon Snow

ACTORKit Harington

DEBUTSeason 1

KATHLEEN LUEVANOIt’s no question why Jon Snow is one of the most important characters in Game of Thrones. Jon has all the traits of a classic hero – honor, kindness, intelligence, persistence, and selflessness. Jon proves time and time again that his duty comes before his own desires. When Jon is eventually stabbed to death in a mutiny by some of his own men, his allies desperately turn to magic in the unlikely hope they can resurrect their fallen friend, because he’s a good man and the leader they need. Outside of his life in the Night’s Watch, one of the most intriguing aspects of Jon Snow’s character is his mysterious parentage. Accepted as the illegitimate son of Ned Stark for years, Jon has never expressed interest in ruling Westeros. But if he were to have a legitimate claim to the Throne, plus the support of his Northerners as “King in the North” … well, let’s just say we can’t wait to see what happens when he meets Danaerys and her “children.”

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

Finding his white direwolf pup, Ghost, and realizing this one was for him.
Jon turning down the offer to be legitimized as a Stark to be Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch instead.
When we thought him dead, but Melisandre resurrected him in Season 6.

2. Daenerys Targaryen

ACTOREmilia Clarke

DEBUTSeason 1

TERRI SCHWARTZWhether Daenerys Targaryen proves to be a savior out of legend or a conquerer who is bad news for Westeros, there’s no denying she is one of the most monumental characters on Game of Thrones. This series has been charting her rise to power as the character who seemingly is meant to sit on the Iron Throne since the very beginning, and her removed storyline is arguably just as important as anything happening to the West. It’s strongly suggested she helped bring magic back into the world with the birth of her three dragons, which is no small feat to say the least. Though her ultimate role in this story remains unclear, it’s clear Daenerys Targaryen is going to be one of the most significant players in this story through its conclusion.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

When she emerges from Khal Drogo’s funeral pyre, naked, draped in three baby dragons.
That time she won the Unsullied with a single word: “Dracarys.”
The first time she rode Drogon, when the Sons of the Harpy attacked in Meereen.

1. Tyrion Lannister

ACTORPeter Dinklage

DEBUTSeason 1

STEVE BUTTSTyrion is the rarest of all things in Westeros — a smart person with scruples. While Ned may have shown more moral fortitude, his gullibility made him a quick casualty in the game of thrones. And while Littlefinger may have more insight in how to manipulate and exploit a situation, he only ever really does it for his own benefit. But Tyrion expends those same qualities to protect a realm and a family (up to a point) that reject him at every turn. His willingness to rise above his circumstances, and his own notable failings, to turn his intelligence and connections toward doing whatever he needs to do to keep the realm safe.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

Tyrion slapping Joffrey. We can watch this over and over and over and over and…
Proving he is more than just a sharp mind, Tyrion saved the day the Battle of Blackwater.
We’ll never forget the look on Tyrion’s face where he saw a living, (fire-)breathing dragon for the first time.

Game Of Thrones Characters

Source:.ign.com

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