Game of Thrones revolutionized the television landscape in the new millennium. Arriving at the height of the Golden Age of Television, Game of Thrones introduced audiences to the violent world of Westeros, employing a unique mix of high fantasy and political intrigue that made the show irresistible for mainstream audiences. Thrones redefined the meaning of “event television,” increasing viewership with each season and ending its run as one of the most acclaimed and successful series in modern television history.
Although the show didn’t stick the landing with its now-infamous ending, some aspects remained untouched despite the negativity surrounding the final seasons. Mainly, the stellar cast of morally ambiguous and fascinating characters that made Thrones a hit in the first place remains acclaimed by critics and fans. Indeed, Game of Thrones featured a large ensemble of ruthless and complicated figures that quickly became critical and fan favorites, cementing the show’s legacy despite all the issues that followed in later seasons.
Game Of Thrones
Release Date April 17, 2011
Creator David Benioff, D.B. Weiss
Seasons 8
Watch on Max
30 Ramsay Bolton
Played by Iwan Rheon
Game of Thrones had no shortage of great villains. However, Ramsay Bolton is arguably the worst, a character utterly devoid of sympathy without a redeemable bone in his body. The bastard son of Roose Bolton, Ramsay debuts in Season 3 and rises to arguably become the show’s main antagonist in Seasons 5 and 6.
Played by the underrated Iwan Rheon, Ramsay is one of the show’s most one-dimensional characters: he is pure evil. However, there’s an interesting and even admirable quality to such a straightforward characterization. Rheon makes Ramsay hatable and fearsome, a brutal but riveting character that became the world’s most hated figure and loved every second of it.
29 Lyanna Mormont
Played by Bella Ramsey
Image via HBO
Long before she fought zombies alongside Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsay was stealing the show as the infallible Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones. The young Lady of Bear Island, Lyanna is a major supporting character in seasons 6 through 8, an outspoken ally to the Starks and a passionate defender of the North.
Unfortunately, Lyanna doesn’t receive much character development and becomes something of a gimmicky figure in the last season. However, Ramsay remains such a strong and purposeful figure on screen that viewers can’t help but fall under Lyanna’s spell. She perishes in the long-awaited yet ultimately disappointing fight against the Night King, depriving Westeros of her skill and strength as a young but effective leader.
28 Mance Rayder
Played by Ciarán Hinds
Image via HBO
Known as the King Beyond the Wall, Mance Rayder was once a member of the Night’s Watch, but defected and managed to unite the warring Wildling clans and the last of the giants into a single fighting force. He used his knowledge of the Night’s Watch to launch a massive assault on the Wall so that his people could escape the White Walkers, but was ultimately defeated by the timely arrival of Stannis Baratheon.
Though Mance didn’t have a lot of screentime between Seasons 3 and 5, his scenes were always memorable thanks in large part to Ciarán Hinds’ acting. Mance is a very charismatic and practical leader who only wants to spare them from death, and was willing to die rather than offer his people as soldiers for Stannis’ wars. More than anything, he valued freedom and personal choice, which left a lasting impact on the people who knew him, such as Jon Snow. – Tyler B. Searle
27 Tormund Giantsbane
Played by Kristofer Hivju
Of all the members of the Free Folk, none left quite as large of an impact as Tormund Giantsbane. An unmatched warrior and raider of great renown, Tormund is a fierce supporter of Mance Rayder, believing he will be the one to save them from the terrifying White Walkers. This hope is shattered when Mance is killed, but he forms a new alliance with Jon Snow.
Kristofer Hivju has a ball playing Tormund as a boisterous man with a sense of humor matched only by his ferocity. Whether it’s laughing at one of his own exaggerated stories or splitting open the skull of his enemy, Tormund commits fully to his chosen path and never diverts until it’s done. That said, he knows when to stand down rather than keep fighting, and is more than happy to turn enemies into friends if they prove themselves worthy. – Tyler B. Searle
26 Samwell Tarly
Played by John Bradley
Image via HBO
Born the eldest son of famed general Randyll Tarly, Sam had none of his father’s courage or stomach for blood. When all his attempts to toughen Sam up failed, Randyll sent him to the Wall, so his younger brother could inherit Horn Hill. Sam initially struggled as a recruit but made some friends who helped support him and encourage his clever mind.
In a world full of power-hungry individuals, sometimes audiences just want someone who is morally good. John Bradley delivered that with Sam, who begins the story as a self-deprecating coward, but steadily finds his courage thanks to the support of his friends and by protecting his Wildling girlfriend, Gilly. In Season 3, he becomes the first person to kill a White Walker with an obsidian knife, which helps the Night’s Watch prepare for the coming war. – Tyler B. Searle
25 Robb Stark
Played by Richard Madden
Image via HBO
The eldest Stark child was one of Game of Thrones’ earliest tragedies. Robb Stark had his father’s strength and the love of his people; unfortunately, he didn’t have the Stark’s honor, choosing to follow his heart and betray a kew alliance that ultimately cost him the war – and his head.
Richard Madden played Robb during the first three seasons of Game of Thrones. Commanding and impressive, Robb was the show’s de facto hero, a typical knight in shining armor with many crucial qualities necessary to win the Iron Throne. Unfortunately, Robb was short-sighted and foolish, traits that made him an interesting character but a lousy player in the game.
24 Ned Stark
Played by Sean Bean
Image via HBO
Sean Bean was Game of Thrones’ original hero. The honorable and noble Eddard Stark was a man of integrity and principle entering a world of betrayal and cruelty for which he was never prepared. The show starts with his appointment as Hand of the King to his close friend, Robert Baratheon, and his journey to King’s Landing, a viper’s nest that ultimately claims his life.
Ned was too pure to exist in the ruthless world of Game of Thrones. His morals stopped him from playing the game, and his honor meant he had the worst poker face on both sides of the Narrow Sea. And while his infamous TV death was unexpected to many, there was no ending more fitting for such a straight character in a show like Game of Thrones.
23 Stannis Baratheon
Played by Stephen Dilane
Image via HBO
Stannis “the Mannis” Baratheon was Game of Thrones’ ultimate dark horse. Robert’s unpopular but infallible brother was, in more ways than one, the right choice to sit atop the Iron Throne. However, his near-blind faith in Melisandre and his lack of influence in Westeros severely damaged his claim.
Stephen Dilane was an inspired choice to play the stoic and inflexible Stannis, with the revered English actor bringing a sense of palpable discomfort to his portrayal that made the character more intriguing. Stannis hid many things that never came to light, not even during his most private moments. Honorable but far too proud, Stannis was a great example of the dangers of hubris, especially in the World of Ice and Fire.
22 Catelyn Stark
Played by Michelle Fairley
Image via HBO
Game of Thrones is all about mothers. The show’s most important figures are mothers trying to do right by their children; however, few were as fierce or devoted as Catelyn Stark. The matriarch of the wolf clan, Catelyn was the perfect balance between the Tullys’ dutiful nature and the Starks’ honor-bound lifestyle. Catelyn lived for her family, and her devotion often led her down the wrong path.
Despite her best efforts, Catelyn played a crucial role in Robb’s demise. And yet no other character was as passionately committed to a cause as she was to Robb’s fight against the Lannisters. Cat is among Thrones’ most tragic characters, a cautionary tale about the dangers of blind, unchecked love, and a masterful tour de force for the underrated Michelle Fairley.
21 Joffrey Baratheon
Played by Jack Gleeson
Image via HBO
Throughout the first half of the 2010s, no name brought more eye rolls, clenched teeth, and curse words than King Joffrey Baratheon. Arguably the most hated television character from the past decade, Joffrey was Cersei and Robert’s oldest son, who ascended to the Iron Throne following his father’s death. A spoiled and cruel brat, Joffrey was a nightmare, a stupid and vicious child who was all bark and no bite.
Young actor Jack Gleeson did a stellar job portraying Joffrey, crafting one of the worst and most frustrating portrayals of entitlement in recent memory. Every viewer loathed Joffrey with a passion, to the point where everyone cheered when the character finally died during his now-infamous wedding ceremony.
20 Podrick Payne
Played by Daniel Portman
Few characters in Game of Thrones are entirely selfless: Podrick Payne is one of them. Introduced as Tyrion’s loyal servant, Podrick saves his master’s life during the Battle of Blackwater Bay and remains staunchly dedicated to Tyrion’s service until his arrest. He then becomes Brienne’s squire, maintaining his dedication to serving.
Podrick is one of the show’s purest, kindest, and most sympathetic souls. In a world as ruthless and savage as Westeros, people like Pod are too rare to ignore. Daniel Portman played Pod with a youthful enthusiasm and naiveté that remained present even in later seasons, proving that Pod wasn’t willing to lose his spirit or warmth despite all the betrayal and carnage he witnessed. Westeros needs more people like Pod.
19 Melisandre
Played by Carice van Houten
Image via HBO
Game of Thrones had no shortage of femme fatales, but Melisandre was in a league of her own. The shifting, mysterious Red Priestess arrives in Season 2 and severely alters the balance of the then-ongoing War of the Five Kings by birthing a shadow baby that kills Renly Baratheon. Melisandre remains a key figure throughout the game, manipulating major players while pursuing an elusive agenda.
The brilliant Carice van Houten played Melisandre throughout seven of the show’s eight seasons, becoming one of its most fascinating characters. Melisandre is not only one of television’s most powerful witches but also an evasive and astonishing character who outplayed many of the show’s most prominent players. Thrones only showed glimpses into her background, leaving many questions unanswered and cementing her legacy as one of Westeros’ biggest riddles.
18 Eddison Tollett
Played by Ben Crompton
Image via HBO
Every friend group has one member who looks at things from a glass-half-empty perspective. For the Night’s Watch storyline, that member is Eddison Tollett or Dolorus Edd. Played by Ben Crompton, he provided some much-needed comic relief thanks to his cynical and unfiltered sense of humor.
Edd is one of Game of Thrones’ more underrated side characters because of his pessimistic quips and his courage. Sure, he’ll complain every second that he’s performing a mission, but when the chips are down, he never runs from a fight and won’t leave his friends to face danger alone. He even has some good leadership skills, which leads to him becoming Lord Commander in Season 6. – Tyler B. Searle
17 Theon Greyjoy
Played by Alfie Allen
Image via HBO
It would be disingenuous to call Theon Greyjoy a victim. He is very much in control of his actions, allowing his inexperience and ambition to get the best of him. However, Theon remains a tragic character, a lost boy desperate for validation from a father he hardly knows. Divided between his allegiances to his house and his affection for the Starks, Theon sets on a path of violence that leads to his downfall before he atones for his mistakes.
Theon’s journey is among the best in Game of Thrones. Alfie Allen’s portrayal went years unnoticed before the final seasons gave Theon a traditional sacrificial arc that allowed him to display Theon’s broken psyche for everyone to see. What Allen did with Theon is nothing short of masterful, making him among Thrones’ most layered characters, a divisive figure who audiences could simultaneously pitty, hate, and root for.
16 Jon Snow
Played by Kit Harington
Image via HBO
Following Ned and Robb’s deaths, Jon Snow became Game of Thrones’ de facto hero. The bastard of Winterfell sent to the Wall during the show’s pilot episode, Jon spends most of the show away from playing the game, focusing on the fight against the Free Folk and the war against the White Walkers and the Night King.
In many ways, Jon’s story was an island, separated from the main action and single-handedly developing what would turn out to be the show’s endgame. Kit Harington did an impressive job carrying this responsibility, playing Jon like the ultimate embodiment of honor, duty, and courage. Jon might easily be discarded as boring or one-dimensional, but Harington portrayed him like a one-man war, with multiple contrasting feelings – anger, desire, fear, frustration – raging inside him without being allowed to come out for air.
15 Davos Seaworth
Played by Liam Cunningham
Image via HBO
Introduced alongside Stannis, Davos Seaworth served as the angle to Melissandre’s devil, offering the king solid advice and telling him the truth, even when it hurt. Sometimes he was even willing to risk his own life defying his king’s command, such as when he smuggled Gendry from Dragonstone, to try and spare Stannis from making terrible decisions.
Played by the fantastic Liam Cunningham, Davos offered perhaps the most unique perspective on Game of Thrones, since he was transformed from a smuggler to a knight for helping Stannis. This left him with a hefty dose of humility compared to the show’s long list of prideful characters, and he wasn’t afraid to argue the ethics of what was being done to win the war. Unfortunately, the writers didn’t know what to do with him in the later seasons, where Davos felt like an elevated background character. – Tyler B. Searle
14 Olenna Tyrell
Played by Dame Enid Diana Elizabeth Rigg
The mighty Olenna Tyrell was the matriarch of House Tyrell and one of the best players in the game. Arriving in season 3, Olenna is among Game of Thrones’ most cunning characters; she proves a mighty foe for Cersei, goes face to face against Tywin, outplays characters like Littlefinger and Varys, and goes down on her terms.
The late, great Dame Diana Rigg played Olenna like the ultimate English Dame: purposeful, bold, witty, straightforward, and proud. Olenna always had the last word, delivering sharp words with a gentle smile and out-talking Westeros’ cleverest minds. Often called the Queen of Thorns, Olenna was among Thrones’ most entertaining characters and a formidable player who played the game by her own rules.
13 Tywin Lannister
Played by Charles Dance
Image via HBO
House Lannister is the most powerful in Westeros, all thanks to Tywin Lannister. The ruthless, Machiavellian, proud Lion of the Rock is arguably the show’s most intimidating character, a highly intelligent and resourceful man whose mere name was enough to bring the most powerful noble to their knees.
The spectacular Charles Dance brought Tywin to life, and was the only actor for the role. Commanding and subtly terrifying, Dance was stellar as Tywin, taking one of the story’s most interesting characters and adding layers of gravitas and purpose into an already rich characterization. Tywin’s hubris eventually brings him down in Season 4, and the show’s rich, political angle dies along with him.
12 Varys
Played by Conleth Hill
Image via HBO
Several characters in Game of Thrones are different from their book counterparts. Varys, the Spider, wasn’t one of them, at least not during the show’s early seasons. Portrayed by the revelation that was Conleth Hill, Varys was Westeros’ Master of Whisperers and a strong contender for the best player in the game.
With a mysterious past that viewers never fully understood, Varys is an elusive and adapting figure who operates from the shadows. Varys is every major theme in Game of Thrones embodied, and Hill beautifully portrayed him as a character of many truths, none of which was fully real. Varys’ characterization declined in later seasons, but Hill’s performance never faltered, saving Varys from the mediocre ending many other characters suffered at the hands of the show’s writers.
11 Petyr Baelish
Played by Aidan Gillen
Along with Varys, Petyr Baelish was the best player in the game; if the Spider weaved the net, the little finger coiled it. Petyr is the architect of the show’s main conflict, provoking the animosity between the Starks and Lannisters that led to the War of the Five Kings and, according to most fan theories, whispering the secret that sparked Robert’s Rebellion.
It’s not an overstatement to say Littlefinger is the best-written character in the novels. The show does right by him, with Aidan Gillen playing Petyr with the appeal of a vinegar-laced sweet. Yet, Littlefinger remains an enthralling figure, the Westerosi equivalent of a made man who slithered across the shadows, climbing the unending chaos ladder that would take him to the top – before bringing him down with a thunderous crash.