Best A Song of Ice and Fire Characters

If you are a fan of the series of epic fantasy novels written by George R. R. Martin, I'm sure you've got a favourite character.

Let me know!

The Top Ten

Arya Stark

Arya Stark is a fictional character created by American author George R. R. Martin. She is a prominent point-of-view character in Martin's award-winning A Song of Ice and Fire series and a main character in HBO's adaptation of the series, Game of Thrones. Arya is known for her development from a rebellious... read more

Somehow, she manages to be both a brave, strong, sympathetic character and have a vaguely sociopathic story arc. Kudos to you, Arya Stark.

She has a little bit of everyone on this list in her little body, hasn't she?

She is much more intelligent than Daenerys and can actually stand up for herself, unlike her pathetic older sister.
Tyrion Lannister

Tyrion Lannister is a fictional character in the A Song of Ice and Fire fantasy novel series by American author George R. R. Martin, as well as its television adaptation Game of Thrones. In the TV series, he is portrayed by actor Peter Dinklage. Tyrion is known for his wit, intelligence, and complex... read more

I put him here for the love I used to have for him, but by the 4th book, I was already starting to get bored of him. But, he's incredibly clever, and I like intelligent people.

Tyrion Lannister should win at the end of the series and sit on the Iron Throne. He would be a worthy king.

If all Lannisters were like him (or Jaime), they would probably be my favorite house, but Cersei and Joffrey made sure that never happens. Nevertheless, he is a very smart and humorous character who is being put down by everyone.
Sansa Stark

Sansa Stark is a fictional character created by American author George R. R. Martin. She is a prominent character in Martin's award-winning A Song of Ice and Fire series. Sansa is portrayed by Sophie Turner in the HBO television adaptation, Game of Thrones.

The most admirable character in A Song of Ice and Fire. She has all of her father's best traits: his kindness and honor. But she adds an extraordinary level of perceptiveness, intelligence, and an iron will that preserves her, despite her youth and inexperience, through a series of ordeals that would break most characters in the series.

I honestly don't get the hate for her. I didn't really care for her in A Game of Thrones, but A Clash of Kings onward, she became one of my favorite characters.

I understand the hate for her in the show, but she's incredible in the books.
Jaime Lannister

Jaime Lannister is a fictional character created by American author George R. R. Martin. He is a prominent point of view character in Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series and also a main character in HBO's television adaptation, Game of Thrones. The role was portrayed by Danish actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau... read more

The character everyone hated in books 1 and 2 and then loved afterward. The tragedy of Jaime is that in his heart he's a good man. He's a man who once believed in being a knight in shining armor, protecting what he thought was right.
He's branded for his actions and manipulated by most around him, the only Lannister who doesn't seem to actively seek out power. He's amazing, human, and not black and white, and that's why I love him.

Jaime, in my opinion, is the MOST misunderstood character in the series (like Tyrion and Sansa). I really wanted him dead in AGOT, especially after pushing Bran off, but man, by ASOS, I was like, The things he does for love! I LOVED his attitude with Tyrion (except Tysha, but Tywin Lannister is one of Jaime's weak points, the other being Cersei. He simply bows down to them, all in the name of love...). His character development is AWESOME! I really hope he has a good fate (Goldenhand the Just, anyone?).
PS: He may be Cersei's prophesied Valonqar too, which I really hope he is!
Jon Snow

Jon Snow is a fictional character in the A Song of Ice and Fire series of fantasy novels by American author George R. R. Martin, and its television adaptation Game of Thrones. He is portrayed by actor Kit Harington in the HBO series. Jon is known for his leadership in the Night's Watch and his eventual... read more

I think that Jon Snow is probably one of the most relatable characters in this story. He was never really accepted as a Stark and, in the first book, tries to make something of himself by joining one of the oldest orders of rangers that protect the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros from the icy horrors beyond the Wall, where winter lasts forever.
Along the way, he must spy on the Wildling army and send information back to the Wall. I think it was sad that he had to leave because of him and Ygritte.
All in all, I believe that Jon's side of the Song of Ice and Fire series is the most relatable and emotional of all, next to the story of Robb, Talisa, Catelyn, Arya, Sansa, and all of the other Starks.
Theon Greyjoy

Okay, I didn't really care about him in A Game of Thrones and hated him in A Clash of Kings, but come A Dance with Dragons, I just couldn't bring myself to hate the poor man. After all, Ramsay is the spawn of the devil.

The best character of this "song." You can easily empathize with him not because he is a good guy or anything like that. You feel empathy with him because he is a human, not a "hero" like Arya and Jon, and not a "villain" like Ser Mandon or Ser Meryn. Not even an anti-hero like Tyrion. He is just normal and feels numb about his own identity.
Love Theon.
Cersei Lannister

Cersei Lannister is a fictional character created by American author George R. R. Martin. She is a prominent point-of-view character in Martin's award-winning A Song of Ice and Fire series and a main character in HBO's adaptation of the series, Game of Thrones.... read more
Eddard Stark

Eddard "Ned" Stark is a fictional character in the first book of George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series and the first season of its television adaptation Game of Thrones. He is the head of House Stark, Lord of Winterfell, and Warden of the North. Ned is known for his honor, integrity, and... read more
Stannis Baratheon

Stannis Baratheon is a fictional character in the A Song of Ice and Fire series of fantasy novels by American author George R. R. Martin. He is featured prominently in the television adaptation Game of Thrones, portrayed by Stephen Dillane. Stannis is the younger brother of King Robert Baratheon and... read more

Theon: Lord Ramsay is the one Your Grace should fear.
Stannis: I defeated your uncle Victarion and his Iron Fleet off Fair Isle, the first time your father crowned himself. I held Storm's End against the power of the Reach for a year, and took Dragonstone from the Targaryens. I smashed Mance Rayder at the Wall, though he had twenty times my numbers. Tell me, turncloak, what battles has the Bastard of Bolton ever won that I should fear him?
Theon: You do not know him.
Stannis: No more than he knows me.

''Lord Seaworth is a man of humble birth, but he reminded me of my duty, when all I could think of was my rights. I had the cart before the horse, Davos said. I was trying to win the throne to save the kingdom, when I should have been trying to save the kingdom to win the throne.''
Nothing else to say. Too bad the show did his character injustice.
Daenerys Targaryen

Daenerys Targaryen is a fictional character in the fantasy novel series A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin. She also appears in the television adaptation Game of Thrones, where she is portrayed by Emilia Clarke. Daenerys is one of the last surviving members of House Targaryen and seeks to... read more

How can she be so low on the list? I mean, come on, she has had one of the best character developments. She is kind and fierce. Love her.

Really love her and what she represents. Definitely my favorite character.

Maybe not my favorite, but she deserves to be up at the top.

The Newcomers

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Brynden Rivers

Nobody is more memorable in all of A Song of Ice and Fire lore than Lord Bloodraven. He was a great bastard, legitimized by his father, King Aegon IV.
He went on to serve as the Hand of the King while extinguishing Blackfyre Rebellions left and right. Bloodraven wielded the ancestral Valyrian steel longsword of House Targaryen, Dark Sister, but he preferred his signature weirwood bow.
He was the Master of Whisperers for a time and eventually became Lord Commander of the Night's Watch and the last greenseer.
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Rhaenyra Targaryen

The Contenders

Catelyn Tully

She is my favorite character with high morals, a logical mind, and is extremely underrated for her ability at playing the Game. She lost due to her son's actions, not her own.

Could possibly give Jon the "kiss of life" and bring him back, just as Beric did with her. I think that would be a good way to end her arc, making up for the poor way she treated him.

Underrated! Possesses a spine of steel, and only has love for her family... Except, you know. No one is white or black, however, in this world, of course.
The Hound

Sandor Clegane, nicknamed The Hound, is a fictional character in the A Song of Ice and Fire series of fantasy novels by American author George R. R. Martin. He also appears in its television adaptation, Game of Thrones. Known for his brutal demeanor and scarred face, Sandor serves as a complex antihero... read more

One of the most complicated characters, a guy capable of the most horrible monstrosity and, incredibly, some kindness. I like complicated people too.

I wish he was a point-of-view character. I loved his banter with Arya and wanted to see a full fight with him and his brother. Sandor Clegane lives...
Margaery Tyrell

Margaery Tyrell is a fictional character in the A Song of Ice and Fire series of high fantasy novels by American author George R. R. Martin, and its television adaptation Game of Thrones. She is portrayed by actress Natalie Dormer in the HBO series. Margaery is known for her political acumen and ambition... read more

I wish Martin used her as a point-of-view character in A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons because she seems like a really interesting character. Not to mention, we need more interesting female characters.
Oberyn Martell

Oberyn Martell is a fictional character in the A Song of Ice and Fire fantasy novel series by George R. R. Martin. He appears in the television adaptation Game of Thrones. Known as the Red Viper, Oberyn is a prince of Dorne and is famed for his combat skills, passionate personality, and desire for vengeance... read more
Littlefinger

Petyr Baelish, nicknamed Littlefinger, is a fictional character in the A Song of Ice and Fire series of fantasy novels by American author George R. R. Martin and its television adaptation Game of Thrones. He is known for his cunning political maneuvers and ambition. Baelish plays a key role in the power... read more

I dislike him so much that I actually love him for it. Once again, very clever. He is bitter, manipulative, and a criminal mastermind.

While I can't help but hate him, he is just such a good character that I actually really like him.

Varys may be called the Spider, but he is the real spider. The true antagonist of the series.
Asha Greyjoy

When I read her first point-of-view chapter, I immediately thought of her as a badass. The show didn't do this character much justice. The Greyjoys are all interesting characters.
Arianne Martell
Varys

The storms come and go, the big fish eat the little fish, and Varys keeps on paddling.
Euron Greyjoy

Euron is the best Greyjoy! Why is he so low?
Tywin Lannister

Tywin Lannister is a fictional character in the epic fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire by American novelist George R. R. Martin. He is the head of House Lannister, father to Jaime, Cersei, and Tyrion Lannister, and a powerful political figure in the series. Tywin also appears in the television adaptation... read more

I don't 'like' him, but God, do I respect the man. All he does is for his family, and they throw it back in his face. The only thing I don't like about him is his unfair attitude to Tyrion, who is my favourite character.
Olenna Tyrell

I love Lady Olenna. So underrated.
Brienne

Brienne of Tarth is a fictional character in George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series of fantasy novels. She is a prominent point of view character in the fourth novel, A Feast for Crows, and a main character in the television adaptation Game of Thrones. Brienne is known for her loyalty, strong... read more

Oh, Brienne... What a great female character. A warrior, loyal, passionate, brilliant, mocked, misunderstood... I adore her!
Jaqen H'ghar

A man is the most mysteriously mysterious valar of all the realms.
Davos Seaworth

Usually, I have a kind of love for bad characters, so I am the first surprised by my intense love for him. I mean, he is the Good Guy. Incredibly loyal, even if it means losing his fingers (and thinking that it is justified AND that it is a reason to "love" your king) or his sons. Very good, very honest and, something that most people seem to forget, incredibly brave.

I like Davos because he is pragmatic. He plays the game so well without sacrificing his honor or values.
Renly Baratheon

That moment when Renly was the only one who had the balls to laugh at Joffrey because his sword got thrown into the Trident by a 9-year-old. He was by far the best King.