The Game of Thrones Universe features a mixed bag of characters. Most are polarizing, a few are guilty of despicable crimes, but almost all of them are memorable. Since Game of Thrones is a Machiavellian tale of a power struggle between the Westerosi nobles, every character, whether main or supporting, has been given a compelling backstory and is well crafted to justify their presence on the show.
Game of Thrones expanded its universe in 2022 with the prequel, House of the Dragon, which focuses on the war of succession between two scions of House Targaryen. King Aegon II sits the Iron Throne while his elder half-sister, Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, challenges his authority. Since House of the Dragon – Season 2 is here, it is imperative to go over the best characters in the Game of Thrones Universe.
10. Lyanna Mormont (Game of Thrones)
Sacrificed Everything To Save The North
- First Appearance: Game of Thrones Season 6, Episode 7: “The Broken Man”
Bella Ramsey’s Lyanna Mormont received Jon Snow, Davos Seaworth, and Sansa Stark at the Mormonts Keep. Forced by circumstances to take the reins of her House, Lyanna undertook the duties very well.
Lyanna remained fiercely loyal to House Stark and lent support to Jon Snow after the latter knocked at her door to ask men for his army. After Jon and his allies won the Battle of Winterfell, she chastised Lord Manderly, Cerwyn, and Lord Glover, pushing the convention to declare Jon King in the North. Lyanna understood the Kingdom of the North better than most and laid down her life fighting for her land in the Battle of Winterfell. She trained in combat to defend the North and advised the older men to do the same. She fought for the living and went out with a bang.
9. Davos Seaworth (Game of Thrones)
Best Negotiator In Game of Thrones
- First Appearance: Game of Thrones Season 2, Episode 1: “The North Remembers”
Ser Davos Seaworth has a compelling arc and is colloquially known as the Onion Knight for smuggling onions into Storm’s End during Robert’s Rebellion. He starts the series in the service of Stannis Baratheon, whom he hails as one true king, but grows disillusioned as time passes. Davos pairs with Jon Snow to aid him in the war against the Dead.
An excellent negotiator, Davos convinces the Iron Bank of Braavos representative, Tycho Nestoris, to lend Stannis money to fund his war in Westeros. He secures the Starks – Jon and Sansa an alliance with the Mormonts of Bear Island, and later, takes pride in stating his political convictions towards House Stark and Jon Snow. Davos’ actions in Game of Thrones are unmarked by self-interest, making him a unique character.
8. Alicent Hightower (House of the Dragon)
Fulfills Her Duties To The Best Of Her Abilities
- First Appearance: House of the Dragon Season 1, Episode 1 “The Heirs of the Dragon”
Alicent Hightower epitomizes the trappings of high-society women in medieval societies. Born into the wealthy Hightowers of the Reach, Alicent arrives at court in King’s Landing, blithely unaware of what she has walked into. The Dowager Queen in House of the Dragon, and King Viserys’ widow. She is the most sensible member at the Green Council.
Alicent refuses to murder for power and comes into her own in House of the Dragon‘s various time jumps. She is a living, breathing example of the duality of human nature. She supports her son, Aegon, in the war of succession, but at the same time, wants to do good by Rhaenyra. She arranges Aegon’s coronation at the Dragonpit of King’s Landing but has terms of surrender sent to Rhaenyra.
7. Sandor Clegane (Game of Thrones)
Likable, Amusing Character
- First Appearance: Game of Thrones Season 1, Episode 1 “Winter Is Coming”
Funny, charming, and amoral, Sandor Clegane is initially in the service of House Lannister as Joffrey Baratheon’s bodyguard. The unworthy boy king likes to berate him as “Dog” until the latter tells him off at the Battle of the Blackwater. Sandor, more commonly known as the Hound, quits Joffrey’s service and finds himself traveling across Westeros with Arya Stark.
Sandor becomes Arya’s foster father in Game of Thrones. At first, they seem like an unlikely pairing, but time reveals that they aren’t all that different from each other. Even though Sandor never admits it and loves being stony-faced, he is a good person deep down.
6. Oberyn Martell (Game of Thrones)
Charming, And Suave With A Devil-May-Care Approach To Most Things
- First Appearance: Game of Thrones Season 4, Episode 1 “Two Swords”
Pedro Pascal of The Last of US fame played a guest character on Game of Thrones – Season 4. Pascal started as the Red Viper, Prince Oberyn Martell of Dorne, and left a lasting impression; his wits, smarts, and attitude to most things in life made for lighthearted moments in the show.
Oberyn was every bit hilarious, but that’s not to say that’s all that his character was good for. He nursed a grudge against the Lannisters for the dishonorable treatment meted out to his sister, Elia Martell, and her children during the Sack of King’s Landing. He knew Tywin Lannister was behind the unspeakable crimes that Gregor Clegane aka The Mountain committed against Elia and her children, and wanted a confession out of the lord. Oberyn was killed by the Mountain while fighting for Tyrion Lannister in a Trial by Combat, while he managed to mortally wound him with the Manticore Venom spear. His popularity outlasts most main characters of Game of Thrones.
5. Jaime Lannister (Game of Thrones)
An Infinitely Quotable Character
- First Appearance: Game of Thrones Season 1, Episode 1 “Winter Is Coming”
Jaime Lannister soiled his name but killed the Mad King to save thousands when the latter sanctioned his Wildfire plot towards the end of Robert’s Rebellion. His critics liked to call him “Kingslayer,” but he knew he had done the right thing. He confided to Brienne the truth about the Mad King wanting to set alight the Wildfire barrels hidden all over King’s Landing:
Aerys saw traitors everywhere. So he had his pyromancer place caches of wildfire all over the city… beneath the Sept of Baelor and the slums of Flea Bottom. Under houses, stables, taverns. Even beneath the Red Keep itself.
Jaime is also guilty of many crimes, such as pushing then ten-year-old Bran Stark from the window and attacking Ned in the streets, but his good deeds far exceed them. Everything he did was either to protect his House or the living. Jaime armed and armored Brienne with the Valyrian steel sword (Oathkeeper) obtained from melting down Ned Stark’s Ice and tasked her to keep Sansa safe. He left everything behind to fight on the side of the living in the Battle of Winterfell. Jaime hid behind a smart mouth, but deep down he was one of the very best people in Westeros.
4. Jon Snow (Game of Thrones)
Heroic Character
- First Appearance: Game of Thrones Season 1, Episode 1 “Winter Is Coming”
Jon Snow is most remembered for his heroism, courage, and determination. Raised in Ned Stark’s household as “the Bastard of Winterfell,” Jon always puts his authentic self forward. He acts outside of self-interest and does what’s best for the people.
Jon Snow’s efforts against the Night King and the Dead save Westeros. He rallies the Kingdom of the North in the war against the Dead, builds an alliance with Daenerys Targaryen, and brings her miles away from King’s Landing to fight alongside House Stark. Game of Thrones‘ allure rests on Jon’s heroism, and he is an inspiration to many in the show.
3. Ned Stark (Game of Thrones)
Predictable But Admirable
- First Appearance: Game of Thrones Season 1, Episode 1 “Winter Is Coming”
Ned Stark is the person who raised honorable Game of Thrones characters such as the Stark children and Jon Snow. He is memorable for his role as a father, a husband, the Lord of Winterfell, and the King’s Hand.
Ned played a heroic role in Robert’s Rebellion, winning battles for Robert. He walked into the throne room before him and saved the seat for his friend. Ned could have claimed the throne for himself, but when has the honorable Lord Stark let power corrupt him. He held onto his strong sense of honor, even when that inevitably led to his execution.
2. Daemon Targaryen (House of the Dragon)
A True Targaryen
- First Appearance: House of the Dragon Season 1, Episode 1 “The Heirs of the Dragon”
Selfless and mean, ruthless but protective – Daemon Targaryen is everything, all at once. Written aptly as a true Targaryen, Daemon holds allure, so much so that the fandom often overlooks his unspeakable crimes. He is a loyal brother, and a husband, but won’t let any of those get in the way of his war plots.
A true soldier at heart, Daemon would rather spend his time fighting the Realm’s enemies than rest in rooms of opulence. He is fiercely loyal to the Blacks and brings order to whichever institution he serves. He means business and will play a key role in the Dance of the Dragons moving forward.
1. Daenerys Targaryen (Game of Thrones)
Left Behind A Rich Legacy
- First Appearance: Game of Thrones Season 1, Episode 1 “Winter Is Coming”
Queen Daenerys Targaryen’s arc was marred by the badly written Game of Thrones – Season 8. Despite still, the illogical, truncated, and badly written season could do Daenerys’ rich legacy no harm. The population of Westeros, including Sansa Stark, owe Daenerys their lives.
If it wasn’t for the innumerable sacrifices that Daenerys made, Westeros would have been overrun by the Night King’s army. She left the commoners prosperous and the tyrants high and dry. She was a favorite among the smallfolk, and it wouldn’t be wrong to call her the people’s Queen. Daenerys Targaryen is the very best of Game of Thrones, in spite of how badly the writers handled her character in the end.
