Game of Thrones, based on George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series of books, is the latest rage in the fantasy genre. It has made being a fan of the fantasy genre mainstream. With its inimitable combination of politics and human drama (peppered generously with a whole lot of violence and erotica), it has managed to capture an extremely varied audience all over the world. The characters in the series have become global hits, with the scheming and sharp dwarf Tyrion Lannister being adored by millions, the plucky Arya Stark becoming a symbol for feminism, and Daenerys Targaryen and her dragons gaining millions of fans even before her first act of participation in the main plot. It has also racked up whopping numbers in the 'casualties' section, with several of the main characters and countless others falling prey to Martin's ruthless hand on the keyboard. Right from Eddard Stark's shocking execution in the Season 1 finale, the trend of shocking the viewers through the death of a well-established character has continued on to take the lives of (spoiler alert) his wife, eldest son, the latter's wife and unborn baby, and many others. The characters in Game of Thrones display every kind of personality possible: blind faith, naivete, cunning, ruthlessness, sadism, lecherousness (a whole lot of that), all find a place of honor in the roll call of Game of Thrones. Here is a list of the major characters in Game of Thrones. The descriptions given below may contain significant spoilers. Some minor characters have not been described in detail, and those described sufficiently in the descriptions of other characters have not been elaborated upon. This text describes the primary characters according to their House, or family. The characters associated exclusively or majorly with a particular house or a particular character are described in their section. Spouse: Catelyn Stark (Tully) Children: With Lady Stark: Robb, Sansa, Arya, Brandon (Bran), Rickon; With Wylla (not shown in series): Jon Snow Status: Deceased Portrayed By: Sean Bean The closest friend and eventual Hand (second in command) of King Robert Baratheon at the start of the series, Ned Stark is executed on the orders of Robert's successor―the queen's illegitimate son, King Joffrey. His death provides the spark for the war between the claimants to Robert Baratheon's throne. Spouse: Eddard Stark Children: See 'Eddard Stark' Status: Deceased Portrayed By: Michelle Fairley Born Catelyn Tully, Lady Catelyn joins Robb Stark's forces as his adviser when he sets off to avenge his father's death. She allows Jaime Lannister to escape from incarceration in Robb's camp, due to his promise that he would assist her daughters, Sansa and Arya, in escaping from King's Landing (the capital of Westeros). Lady Stark is killed in the Red Wedding, a massacre brought about by Robb breaking a promise to one of his allies of marrying his daughter. Spouse: Talisa Stark (Maegyr) Children: Unborn child killed along with Lady Talisa Status: Deceased Portrayed By: Richard Madden After Ned Stark's execution, Robb Stark, now titled the 'King in the North', leads a charge of Northern armies and his allies towards King's Landing. He makes good progress, winning several battles on the trot, and becoming a genuine threat to the kingdom. He falls in love and marries Lady Talisa, thus breaking his promise to one of his vassals to marry his daughter. He is killed in the Red Wedding, a massacre brought about as revenge for his marriage to Lady Talisa. Spouse: Engaged to Joffrey Baratheon, engagement broken; Tyrion Lannister Children: None Status: Alive Portrayed By: Sophie Turner A picture of archetypical femininity, Sansa Stark is engaged to Joffrey. Though she is initially happy at the proposal, since it would allow her to live out her dream life as a princess, Joffrey renegades on his promise to let her father live, and then constantly abuses her through various means. In the second season, Joffrey breaks off his engagement to Sansa so that he can marry Margaery Tyrell, and Sansa is forced to marry Tyrion Lannister. Spouse: NA Children: None Status: Alive Portrayed By: Maisie Williams The exact opposite of her sister Sansa, Arya Stark is the typical tomboy, and is disinterested in 'womanly' things, instead being interested in learning swordplay. She is very close to her brother Robb and half-brother Jon Snow―particularly the latter. After Ned Stark's death, she is protected from the King's men by first her fencing instructor, Syrio Forel, and then Yorel, a recruiter for the Night's Watch. Yorel conceals her as an orphan boy named Arry, and smuggles her into the Night's Watch recruits, hoping to offload her in Winterfell when they pass that way. She is captured by Tywin Lannister, but escapes his encampment and eventually joins forces with Sandor Clegane, who protects her from the massacre in the Red Wedding. Spouse: NA Children: None Status: Alive Portrayed By: Isaac Hempstead-Wright Adventurous and adept at climbing walls, Bran is thrown off a high tower by Jamie Lannister, when he happens upon Jamie and Queen Cersei engaging in their incestuous relationship, and ends up crippled at the hips, and with no memory of the accident. When Robb Stark sets off towards King's Landing, Bran becomes Lord of Winterfell, but is forced to go into hiding when Theon Greyjoy captures Winterfell. Along with Hodor (Kristian Nairn), a man who carries him around on his back, Rickon (Art Parkinson), and Osha (Natalia Tena), a wildling, Bran sets off towards the North Wall to meet Jon Snow. On the way, he realizes that he is a warg, and can project himself into the mind of his direwolf. Spouse: NA Children: None Status: Deceased and alive, respectedly Portrayed By: Thomas Sangster and Ellie Kendrick Jojen and Meera Reed are the son and daughter, respectively, of Eddard Stark's old friend, Lord Howland Reed. They join Bran in his northward travel, and Jojen helps him gain control over his abilities as a warg. He also tells Bran to look beyond the North Wall for the three-eyed raven, which has been appearing in Bran's dreams. Jojen, Meera, and Hodor accompany Bran beyond the Wall, while Osha and Rickon go to a town called Last Hearth. Spouse: Not shown Children: Harrion, Torrhen, Eddard, and Alys Status: Deceased Portrayed By: Steven Blount (Season 1), John Stahl (Season 2 and 3) Distant relatives of the Starks, the Karstark house is among the first to rally to Robb Stark's call to arms. However, Robb's honorable treatment of Jaime Lannister, and Lady Catelyn's aid in the escape of the hated Jaime, sour relations between the two. When Karstark men kill some captured Lannisters in revenge, he is executed by Robb. Spouse: NA Children: None Status: Deceased Portrayed By: Donald Sumpter The Maester of Winterfell, Maester Luwin stays behind with Bran when Robb rides out to battle. When Theon Greyjoy captures Winterfell, he stays on to guide him, but is stabbed trying to convince the Ironborn (Theon's clan) not to sack and destroy Winterfell. He is found dying by Bran's party, and he asks Osha to end his life, a request which she obliges to once out of sight of the boys. Spouse: NA Children: None Status: Deceased Portrayed By: Ron Donachie The Master-at-Arms of Winterfell, Rodrik Cassell is in charge of the defense of Winterfell when Lady Catelyn goes with Robb's army. He is instructed by Bran to repel the forces of the Ironborn, led by Theon Greyjoy, at Torrhen's Square. Meanwhile, Theon captures Winterfell, and executes Ser Rodrik personally. Spouse: NA Children: None Status: Alive Portrayed By: Tom Wlaschiha A member of the Faceless Men, Jaqen meets Arya Stark in Yoren's recruits. He helps her kill two men of her choice, as a repayment of her saving him and two others from a fire, and then helps her escape Tywin Lannister's encampment at Harrenhal. Later, he magically changes his identity, but tells Arya how to find him if she needs. Spouse: Joanna Lannister Children: Cersei, Jamie, Tyrion Status: Deceased Portrayed By: Charles Dance The patriarch of House Lannister, Tywin was the Hand of the King to the Mad King Aerys II, and is the Warden of the West. After Joffrey's coronation, Tywin becomes Hand of the King once again. He plans the massacre of the Starks in the Red Wedding, and orders the marriage of Tyrion and Sansa Stark as well as Cersei and Loras Tyrell. He orders his son Tyrion's execution on charges of regicide, but Tyrion escapes the prison with help from his brother Jaime, and Tywin is killed by his son in the season 4 finale. Spouse: Sansa Stark Children: None Status: Alive Portrayed By: Peter Dinklage A scheming, perceptive, clever, ruthless, but kindhearted dwarf, Tyrion is despised by his father Tywin, since his mother died giving birth to him. He is later sent by Tywin to act in his capacity as Hand of the King, and conducts the successful defense of King's Landing against Stannis Baratheon's forces. After having the credit for the victory taken from him, and removed from his post after the arrival of Tywin at King's Landing, he is forced to marry Sansa, the heir to Winterfell and the Kingdom of the North. Spouse: Robert Baratheon Children: None from Robert Baratheon; Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen from Jaime Lannister Status: Alive Portrayed By: Lena Headey The power-hungry queen of Westeros, Cersei was married to King Robert Baratheon in order to strengthen the ties between the two houses. She has been having an incestuous affair with her twin brother Jaime for a long time, and all of her three children are fathered by Jaime. She rules as Queen Regent when Joffrey becomes King, a situation brought about by her quick and ruthless disposition of Ned Stark's claims. Later, her influence is greatly reduced by her father, Tywin, and he orders her to marry Loras Tyrell, the brother of Joffrey's wife. Spouse: NA Children: See 'Cersei Lannister' Status: Alive Portrayed By: Nikolaj Coster-Waldau The twin brother and lover of Cersei Lannister, Jaime Lannister is known as the 'Kingslayer', since it was he who killed The Mad King. He is one of the best swordsmen in Westeros. He is captured by Robb Stark's forces, but is later released by Lady Catelyn after he promises to help her daughters escape from King's Landing. On the way to King's Landing along with Brienne of Tarth, who keeps on eye on him for Lady Catelyn, his sword-wielding hand is cut off by a violent man-at-arms called Locke. Spouse: Engaged to Sansa Stark, engagement broken; Margaery Tyrell Children: None Status: Deceased Portrayed By: Jack Gleeson The son of Queen Cersei and Jaime Lannister, Joffrey becomes king after the death of Robert Baratheon. At first, he promises to spare Ned Stark's life if the latter renounced his claims about Joffrey's right to the throne, accepted Joffrey as King, and confessed to being a traitor. However, he then has him executed after extracting the confession, setting the rest of the series in motion. He is spoilt, aggressive, and sadistic, but a coward when he has to deal with people stronger than him. After Renly Baratheon's death, he accepts the offer from House Tyrell of marrying the now-widowed Margaey Tyrell; at the wedding, he is fatally poisoned. Spouse: NA Children: None Status: Alive Portrayed By: Rory McCann Known as the 'Hound', Sandor Clegane is the personal bodyguard of King Joffrey, but leaves his service after his fear of fires (the right side of his face was burned when he was young) is exposed during the battle against Stannis Baratheon's army. He is brutal and extremely strong, but also compassionate, often looking out for Sansa when Joffrey wants to abuse her. He finds Arya Stark, and keeps her safe from the Stark massacre. Spouse: NA Children: None Status: Alive Portrayed By: Conan Stevens (Season 1), Ian Whyte (Season 2), Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (Season 4) Known as 'The Mountain that Rides', Gregor Clegane is the elder brother of Sandor Clegane, and is a huge and ferocious knight with a widespread reputation for cruelty and bad temper. He is responsible for Sandor's face wound. He commanded the castle of Harrenhal, but is defeated by Edmure Tully, and escapes to the Westerlands. Spouse: NA Children: None Status: Deceased Portrayed By: Sibel Kekilli Tyrion Lannister falls in love with Shae, a prostitute, when he comes across her in an encampment. She reciprocates his feelings, and comes with him to King's Landing, where he keeps her safe by having her appointed as Sansa Stark's handmaiden. She doesn't leave King's Landing even when Tyrion marries Sansa, but he eventually succeeds in getting her to leave and protect herself by lying about his feelings to her, claiming he never really loved her. After realizing that Shae was hired by Tywin to spy on him, Tyrion kills her before killing Tywin. Spouse: NA Children: None Status: Alive Portrayed By: Jerome Flynn A sellsword (mercenary) in the employ of Tyrion Lannister, Bronn serves as the Commander of the City Watch while Tyrion is in charge, and is knighted when Tywin Lannister returns. He is the closest confidante of Tyrion, apart from Shae. Spouse: NA Children: None Status: Alive Portrayed By: Eugene Simon Lancel is the son of Kevan Lannister, Tywin Lannister's younger brother. When Jaime is out of King's Landing, Cersei initiates an affair with him. Tyrion discovers the affair, and blackmails Lancel into spying on Cersei for him. Spouse: NA Children: None Status: Alive Portrayed By: Daniel Portman Payne is Tyrion's squire. He saved Tyrion's life during the attack on King's Landing, and is thus trusted by Tyrion. This section also covers the important figures among the Dothraki tribe, as well as the people encountered by Daenerys Targaryen in her journey to Westeros. Spouse: (Khal) Drogo Children: Rhaego (Sacrificed while unborn) Status: Alive Portrayed By: Emilia Clarke The last surviving heir of Aerys the Mad King (and thus, the rightful heir to the throne), Daenerys is forced to marry the warlord (Khal) of the Dothraki tribe, Khal Drogo, so that her brother can use the Dothraki army to win the Iron Throne of Westeros. After Drogo's death, Daenerys leads the Dothraki towards Westeros, gathering mercenaries along the way, largely due to the respect and fear commanded by her three dragons, Drogon, Viserion, and Rhaegal. The dragons were gifted to her in the form of supposedly petrified eggs, and were hatched in the funeral pyre of Khal Drogo. Spouse: NA Children: None Status: Deceased Portrayed By: Harry Lloyd The elder brother of Daenerys and claimant to the Iron Throne, Viserys married off his sister to Khal Drogo in order to use Drogo's savage army to gain the control of Westeros. He was abusive and dominating towards his sister, and greedy and vain otherwise. He threatened to kill the pregnant Daenerys unless he was given control of Drogo's army, to which Drogo responded by giving him a 'golden crown': Drogo had Viserys killed by pouring molten gold over his head. Spouse: NA Children: None Status: Alive Portrayed By: Iain Glen A knight exiled from King's Landing, Ser Jorah was a faithful guardian and advisor of Viserys Targaryen, and served Daenerys after her brother's death. Though this hasn't been explicitly acknowledged by any character, he is understood to be in love with Daenerys, and is her most trusted adviser as the first knight of her Queensguard. Spouse: Daenerys Targaryen Children: See 'Daenerys Targaryen' Status: Deceased Portrayed By: Jason Momoa The fierce, powerful, but noble warlord of the Dothraki, Khal Drogo marries Daenerys as a political arrangement, but grows to respect and love her due to her spirit and charitable behavior. He is injured in a fight with a rival chieftain, and ends up with a life-threatening wound. Daenerys employs a witch-doctor to cure Khal, but she tricks Daenerys into sacrificing the life of her unborn child for that of Khal's, and then leaves Khal in a brain-dead state as revenge upon the cruel Dothraki. Daenerys ends his life out of pity, and hatches her dragon eggs in his funeral pyre by walking into the fire along with the eggs. Spouse: NA Children: None Status: Deceased Portrayed By: Ian Hanmore Pyat Pree is a warlock in the city of Qarth, and kidnaps Daenerys' dragons to lure her into the magical House of the Undying. He is killed when Daenerys tells her dragons to breathe fire at him, displaying the stronger nature of her magic. Spouse: NA Children: None Status: Deceased Portrayed By: Nonso Anozie Xaro granted Daenerys entry into Qarth when the other members of Qarth's council seemed disinclined to let her in. He tried to woo her, and then make a business proposal of a marriage in return of the ships Daenerys needed to sail to Westeros. He and Pyat Pree conspired to kill the rest of the councilmen. When his boasts about his wealth were shown to be false, Daenerys has him and her treacherous companion Doreah killed by locking them in his empty vault. Spouse: NA Children: None Status: Alive Portrayed By: Ian McElhinney One of the most famous and respected knights in Westeros, Barristan Selmy is the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard until relieved of his duties by Joffrey. Considering his dismissal a personal insult, since the Kingsguard is supposed to serve for life, Selmy joins Daenerys as a member of her Queensguard. Spouse: NA Children: None Status: Alive Portrayed By: Ed Skrein (Season 3), Michiel Huisman (Season 4) Naharis was the third-ranking leader of the Second Sons, a group of mercenaries. He kills his two superiors and, taking control of the Second Sons, pledges allegiance to Daenerys. Spouse: NA Children: None Status: Alive Portrayed By: Jacob Anderson Grey Worm is the leader of the Unsullied, an army of eunuch soldiers recruited by Daenerys. The Unsullied joined Daenerys' cause after she bought them from Kraznys mo Nakloz, and then had them kill their former masters, and had her dragon burn Kraznys. Though she gives them the right to discard the names given to them by their captors, he sticks with 'Grey Worm', since it was his name when Daenerys freed him. Spouse: NA Children: None Status: Alive Portrayed By: Nathalie Emmanuel A talented polyglot, Missandei is a slave of Kraznys mo Nakloz. During the trade of the Unsullied, Daenerys insists on Kraznys giving Missandei to her as a gift. Spouse: NA Children: None Status: Alive, deceased, and deceased, respectively Portrayed By: Steven Cole, Elyes Gabel, and Amrita Acharia, resp. Kovarro and Rakharo are Dothraki bloodriders sworn to protect Daenerys, while Irri is her Dothraki maid. While stuck in the desert Red Waste, Daenerys sends Kovarro and Rakharo to find help. While Kovarro is successful in finding Qarth, Rakharo is presumably killed by a rival Khal, and his head is sent back along with his horse. Irri is killed by Doreah when the latter steals Daenerys' dragons. Spouse: Cersei Lannister Children: See 'Cersei Lannister' Status: Deceased Portrayed By: Mark Addy The eldest among the three Baratheon brothers, and the main instigator of the rebellion against the Mad King, Robert Baratheon is the King of Westeros (King of the Seven Kingdoms) at the start of the series. He is unaware of his queen's relationship with her brother, and thinks her children are fathered by him. He is killed by a wild boar during a hunt, prompting Cersei to install Joffrey as the King and arrest Ned Stark. Spouse: Selyse Baratheon Children: Shireen Status: Alive Portrayed By: Stephen Dillane The younger brother of Robert, Stannis is the rightful heir to Robert's throne, and is convinced of this by a priestess of the God R'hllor, Melisandre. He gains the armies of his younger brother, Renly, when the latter is killed by a shadow demon. His attack on King's Landing is thwarted, but he is convinced to keep fighting by Melisandre. Later, he shifts his armies to the North due to the growing threat of White Walkers and wildlings. Spouse: NA Children: None; gives birth to a shadow demon Status: Alive Portrayed By: Carice van Houten The enigmatic and most trusted advisor of Stannis Baratheon, Melisandre is a magically powerful priestess of the God R'hllor. Despite the misgivings of many of Stannis' advisers, he continues to trust her. She gives birth to a shadow demon, which then mysteriously kills Renly Baratheon, removing a major claimant to the throne and possessor of one of the largest armies in Westeros. She advises Stannis to focus on the threat from the North. Spouse: Not shown Children: Matthos Status: Alive Portrayed By: Liam Cunningham A former smuggler and one of the most trusted advisers of Stannis Baratheon, Davos Seaworth leads Stannis' navy in the Battle of the Blackwater, Stannis' attack on King's Landing, with help from his pirate friend, Salladhor Saan (Lucian Msamati). His son is killed in the battle, and, when he tries to attack Melisandre in revenge, he is imprisoned. Stannis orders his death, but Melisandre convinces him to reverse his decision, and Davos joins Stannis in his charge to the North Wall. Spouse: Margaery Tyrell Children: None Status: Deceased Portrayed By: Gethin Anthony The youngest of the Baratheon brothers, Renly is a generous, flamboyant, and jovial king, who is popular in his realm. He is secretly homosexual, and has a relationship with his wife's brother. Renly, who has a larger army than Stannis, is about to attack the latter's base, when he is killed by Melisandre's shadow demon. After his death, his bannermen and most of his soldiers join Stannis' army, and his wife and her brother join the Lannister camp. Spouse: NA Children: None Status: Alive Portrayed By: Paul Kaye A priest of the same religion as Melisandre, Thoros is a vital member of the Brotherhood Without Banners, headed by Beric Dondarrion (Richard Dormer). He has resurrected Dondarrion with his magical powers several times, due to which the Brotherhood has been able to amass and sustain power. He finds Arya, Gendry, and Hot Pie (Ben Hawkey), and sells Gendry to Melisandre. Spouse: NA Children: None Status: Alive Portrayed By: Joe Dempsie An unacknowledged illegitimate son of Robert Baratheon, Gendry joins the recruits to the Night's Watch with Yoren. He becomes a friend and protector of 'Arry', even though he knows her secret. Melisandre later captures him and informs him about his lineage, intending to sacrifice him for better luck to Stannis' army. Davos Seaworth, then in prison himself, helps Gendry escape. Spouse: First wife not named; Walda Bolton (Frey) Children: Domeric from first wife, Ramsay Snow from unknown woman Status: Alive Portrayed By: Michael McElhatton An unreliable and cunning vassal of House Stark, Bolton, the Lord of the Dreadfort, joins Walder Frey in carrying out the massacre in the Red Wedding; he kills Robb Stark himself. For his part in the massacre, he is named Warden of the North by Tywin Lannister. Bolton also sends his illegitimate son, Ramsay Snow to take Winterfell from the Greyjoy invasion. Spouse: NA Children: None Status: Alive Portrayed By: Iwan Rheon Ramsay Snow, the vicious and cunning illegitimate son of Roose Bolton, takes Winterfell, and captures and horrifically tortures Theon Greyjoy. He eventually castrates Theon, and forces him to be his servant. His father eventually makes him a true Bolton. Spouse: Renly Baratheon, widowed; Joffrey Baratheon, widowed Children: None Status: Alive Portrayed By: Natalie Dormer An extremely ambitious and driven woman, Margaery marries Renly Baratheon in an attempt to link her House to the strongest claimant to the Iron Throne, even though she knows about Renly's sexuality. After Renly's death, she and her brother join House Lannister, and her offer to marry King Joffrey is accepted. Spouse: Engaged to Cersei Lannister Children: None Status: Alive Portrayed By: Finn Jones The secret lover of Renly Baratheon before the latter's death, Loras is engaged to Cersei Lannister, upon the orders of Lord Tywin. Spouse: Not shown Children: Mace Tyrell Status: Alive Portrayed By: Diana Rigg The female version of Tywin Lannister, Lady Olenna, Margaery and Loras' grandmother, is the powerful matriarch of House Tyrell. She plans to have Loras wed Sansa and Margaery wed Joffrey, but her first plan is foiled by Lord Tywin. Olenna is remarkably progressive, insofar as she is okay with Loras' sexuality, and promotes the inclusion of women in politics, both otherwise openly condemned by various characters in the series. Spouse: Roslin Tully (Frey) Children: None Status: Alive Portrayed By: Tobias Menzies The younger brother of Catelyn Stark and Lord of Riverrun, Edmure Tully is a loyal Stark vassal. He unwittingly spoils Robb Stark's plan to destroy the Lannister forces for good, and to make up for it, agrees to marry Roslin Frey, one of Walder Frey's daughters. His marriage is the setting for the Stark massacre, and is called the Red Wedding. After the Starks are killed, Edmure is held prisoner by the Freys. Spouse: NA Children: None Status: Alive Portrayed By: Clive Russell Brynden Tully is the uncle of Lady Catelyn, Lord Edmure, and Lady Lysa Arryn. He survives the Red Wedding cull, completely by accident. Spouse: Not shown Children: Over 100 children from wives and mistresses Status: Alive Portrayed By: David Bradley Despite appearing in just three episodes of the series, Walder Frey is one of its most important characters, since it is his daughter whom Robb Stark had promised to marry. Frey is the Lord of the Twins, a set of interconnected and heavily fortified castles that hold huge strategic importance. When Robb Stark breaks his promise and marries Lady Talisa, Frey conspires with the Lannisters, and brings about the killing of Robb, his wife, and his mother. Two of his sons, Lothar and 'Black' Walder Frey, kill Lady Talisa and Lady Catelyn, respectively. He is rewarded by the Lannisters, but the reputation of his House is tarnished. Spouse: NA Children: None Status: Alive Portrayed By: Alfie Allen Son of Balon Greyjoy (Patrick Malahide) and brother of Yara Greyjoy, Theon was taken hostage by House Stark after an unsuccessful rebellion by the Greyjoys against Robert Baratheon, with the threat that he would be killed if the Greyjoys rebelled again. When Robb sends him to the Iron Islands to forge an alliance with his own House, he betrays Robb and captures Winterfell. He is, in turn, betrayed by his own men, and then captured by Ramsay Bolton. Spouse: NA Children: None Status: Alive Portrayed By: Gemma Whelan A strong, forceful woman who commands her own ship, Yara goes to Winterfell after Theon captures it, to try to convince him to let go and retreat. When Theon is tortured by Ramsay Snow, Yara takes the 50 best killers among the Ironborn, and takes her own ship, hoping to rescue Theon. Spouse: Lysa Arynn Children: None Status: Alive Portrayed By: Aidan Gillen Known as 'Littlefinger', Lord Baelish is the Master of Coin in King's Landing. He is extremely good at manipulating people, and has a huge network of spies. He brings about the alliance between the Lannisters and the Tyrells, and plays a vital part in Ned Stark's death. He receives the castle of Harrenhal from Lord Tywin, and proceeds to wed Lysa Arryn, the widow of Jon Arryn and sister of Catelyn and Edmure Tully. Spouse: NA Children: None Status: Alive Portrayed By: Conleth Hill A eunuch and a master spy, Lord Varys is the much-feared Master of Whisperers (the royal spymaster) at King's Landing. He has a much higher sense of honor than other court ministers, meeting Ned Stark in his cell to convince him to accept Joffrey's offer of pardon, and telling Tyrion Lannister that he is the true hero of the Battle of the Blackwater, even though he would never get the credit for it. Spouse: NA Children: None Status: Deceased Portrayed By: Esmé Bianco Ros is a prostitute who manages one of Lord Baelish's brothels in King's Landing. She is confused for Shae and beaten by Cersei's men to teach Tyrion a lesson. After this, she spies on Baelish for Varys, but when Baelish finds this out, he has her killed. Spouse: NA Children: None Status: Alive Portrayed By: Julian Glover The Grand Maester of the Seven Kingdoms, Pycelle is a spy for Cersei, and helps her get rid of Ned Stark. Tyrion places Pycelle in prison for a while, wanting to avoid the same fate as Lord Eddard, but Cersei overrules Tyrion and releases Pycelle. Spouse: NA Children: None Status: Alive Portrayed By: Kit Harington The illegitimate son of Ned Stark, Jon Snow joins the Night's Watch. He goes on a mission beyond the Wall, and is seduced by a wildling, Ygritte, but eventually escapes and returns to the Night's Watch. Many fans have speculated on his importance to the series based on certain sections of George R.R. Martin's books that have not been shown in the TV series; based on the literature, he may not be Ned Stark's son at all. The basis for the speculation is absent in the TV series. Spouse: Not shown Children: Jorah Status: Deceased Portrayed By: James Cosmo Ashamed by his son Jorah's defection, Jeor Mormont joins the Night's Watch, and is the 997th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch at the beginning of the series. He makes Jon Snow his steward, in order to groom him as a future Lord Commander. He dies in a mutiny in Craster's Keep. His death is the signal for the Maester of the Night's Watch to send out ravens to all kingdoms in Westeros, asking for help in defeating the impending invasion from beyond the wall. Spouse: NA Children: None Status: Alive Portrayed By: John Bradley Disowned by his father because he is not brave, Sam becomes Jon Snow's best friend in the Night's Watch. Though he is not cut out to be a warrior, he is well read and has immense knowledge about various topics, particularly the lore and myths of Westeros. He witnesses the march of the White Walkers towards the kingdoms of Westeros. He falls for Gilly, one of Craster's daughter-wives, and helps her escape along with her newborn son. Spouse: His own daughters, only one named: Gilly Children: Only one named: Gilly Status: Deceased Portrayed By: Robert Pugh One of the few wildlings who has a permanent house beyond the North Wall, Craster is the only ally for the Night's Watch, but his brash and repulsive nature makes the relationship uncomfortable. He keeps his own daughters as his wives, and sacrifices his newborn sons to White Walkers. He is killed when he goads members of the Night's Watch about their defeat to White Walkers, and mocks their fallen comrades. Spouse: Craster Children: Sam Status: Alive Portrayed By: Hannah Murray Gilly is one of Craster's daughter-wives, and has a son with him. Samwell Tarley falls in love with her, and helps her escape with her newborn son after Craster's death. She names her son Sam. Spouse: Dalla Children: None Status: Alive Portrayed By: Ciarán Hinds Once a member of the Night's Watch, Mance Rayder joined the wildlings to become the 'King Beyond the Wall'. Spouse: NA Children: None Status: Deceased Portrayed By: Rose Leslie A wildling captured by a team of the Night's Watch, Ygritte manages to lead Jon into a trap. Later, she seduces him and falls for him. She dies in Jon's arms during Mance Rayder's attack on Castle Black.