Game Of Thrones Season 9 Can’t Bring Back Daenerys, But It Should Follow These 4 Characters If It Happens

Although Game of Thrones ended with season 8, there’s been discussion about whether season 9 could ever happen, especially after the series’ controversial ending — and there are some obvious characters it could follow if it does. Jon Snow killing Daenerys Targaryen is one of the most divisive developments of Game of Thrones ending, but it offers a fairly conclusive finale. With the Lannisters gone, Bran Stark crowned king, and Daenerys no longer seeking to conquer Westeros, most of the major conflicts come to a close in the final episodes.

This doesn’t leave a ton of room for a sequel series or another season, though fans have ideas about how Game of Thrones can fix season 8’s mistakes. Among them is resurrecting Daenerys, but this would further harm the HBO series’ legacy. There are several reasons resurrecting Daenerys would be a bad idea, from diminishing the meaning behind her fate to repeating a storytelling device already used with Jon Snow. There’s also nowhere else to go with Dany’s character, but there are other players who have new stories to tell in a potential ninth season.

4. Arya Stark

Going West Of Westeros Is The Best Season 9 Idea

Arya Stark’s Game of Thrones ending is probably the best setup for a sequel, as Maisie Williams’ character embarks on an adventure that will take her “west of Westeros.” No one knows what’s out there, so there’s endless potential for a season 9 story addressing that mystery. There’s no source material to draw from, but that means there are fewer limits on what the writers could do. And Arya’s still finding herself on the heels of her trauma and revenge mission, which means there’s still room for her character to grow.

The fact that Arya is a fan-favorite character also makes her an obvious choice for Game of Thrones season 9, as viewers would be happy to be reunited with her. Depending on what Arya does after sailing west, a narrative focused on her could also bring in the other Starks. Doing so would make this season 9 concept a crowd-pleaser, as would its fresh premise.

3. Jon Snow

Continuing Jon’s Story Could Fix One Season 8 Problem

Resurrecting Daenerys Targaryen feels like a cheap way to fix Game of Thrones season 8’s problems, but returning to Jon Snow’s story could solve another issue with the final season — and in a less obvious and outlandish way. Dany’s death isn’t the only controversial detail of the show’s final season. The fact that Game of Thrones solves its Night King and White Walker storyline in just a single episode is frequently cited as a disappointment. It’s also frustrating that the series hardly addresses the backstory surrounding these villains.

With Jon and the Wildlings venturing back beyond the Wall after season 8, Game of Thrones season 9 could easily find a way to bring back the White Walkers or a similar threat. This would offer an opportunity to dig into lore that wasn’t explored thoroughly enough in prior seasons. Because of this, it’s somewhat surprising that HBO’s Jon Snow spinoff was shelved with the reasoning that there wasn’t a clear story to tell.

2. Daario Naharis

This Forgotten Game Of Thrones Character Deserves Closure

While Game of Thrones season 8 delivers a definitive conclusion for the Mother of Dragons, there’s one character from Daenerys’ story who is largely forgotten. And even if season 9 can’t focus on him alone, another outing would need to address the fate of Daario Naharis after Dany’s death. Daenerys leaves Daario in Mereen when she sails to Westeros, partly to ensure the city’s slaves remain free and partly because she can’t bring a lover with her. He’s never seen or heard from again, which is disappointing given his constant presence in prior seasons.

Viewers also don’t get closure about Mereen or Slaver’s Bay, so working Daario’s story into Game of Thrones season 9 would give them answers on that front. It would be an interesting way to revisit that part of the world, and it would reveal what Daario does after losing his queen. He’s not a typical hero, but he could serve as an antihero or villain — and he’d be an interesting change of pace from the majority of Game of Thrones’ most prominent characters.

1. Yara Greyjoy

The North Gaining Independence Creates An Iron Islands Story

Yara Greyoy is another possible character Game of Thrones season 9 could follow, as the North gaining independence in season 8 creates an obvious Iron Islands story. Theon and Yara seek out a similar setup for the Iron Islands when they ally with Daenerys in Game of Thrones. Therefore, it’s somewhat surprising that Sansa’s demands in the series finale don’t infuriate Yara and the other Iron Islanders.

Game of Thrones season 9 could explore any tensions that arise from the Iron Islands remaining part of the now Six Kingdoms, and it could also see Yara trying to rebuild. Following Yara opens the door for interactions with other prominent leaders in Westeros as well, even if they aren’t main characters this time around.