When you play the Game of Thrones, you win or you die - and several key families are willing to take that risk for their stake in the Seven Kingdoms.
Set 200 years after the events of spin-off House Of The Dragon, Game of Thrones follows the story of several noble houses all fighting for their claim to the Iron Throne, and to rule all of Westeros.
Over the course of eight seasons, political power plays, familial bonds and loyalties are all called into play as each character seals their own fate.
Incredibly intricately woven, dozens of characters become key to how the series plays out - and the families are so vast and interconnected it could be hard to keep track.
Meet the key players who believe they have what it takes to rule the world of Westeros, their loyal followers, and the actors bringing them to life.
Jon Snow
Played By: Kit Harington (Gunpowder, Extrapolations, Criminal)
Jon is raised as the bastard son of Ned Stark, alongside the rest of the Stark children.
However, due to his status, he is treated as lesser than by many. Regardless, he has a close bond with his family, particularly Arya. While naive to a lot of the world, he is a natural born leader when given the opportunity.
Notable Alliances: Ygritte - a Free Folk (Rose Leslie - Time Traveler’s Wife, Vigil); Samwell Tarly - a steward of the Night’s Watch (John Bradley - The 3-Body Problem); Daenerys Targaryen.
Daenerys Targaryen
Played By: Emilia Clarke (Me Before You, Marvel’s Secret Invasions)
When we first meet Daenerys she is highly under the influence of her brother, the power-starved Viserys, who arranges her marriage to the Dothraki leader Khal Drogo in order to acquire the manpower of the nomadic warriors. However, over time it becomes clear she is a natural-born leader, who often commands attention and also loyalty to those around her, and she uses this to her advantage.
Notable Alliances: Jorah Mormont (Iain Glen - Silo, The Rig); Khal Drogo (Jason Momoa - SEE, Aquaman); Missandei (Nathalie Emmanuel - Fast and Furious franchise, The Invitation); Viserys Targaryen (Harry Lloyd - Brave New World, Counterpart).
Cersei Lannister
Played By: Lena Headey (Gunpowder Milkshake, White House Plumbers)
Cersei Lannister is a cruel and calculated woman, who has had a long-held incestuous relationship with her twin brother, Jaime.
Married to Robert Baratheon, she is the mother of four children. Due to their hair and eye colour, it’s inferred only one of her children, a son, is legitimate, with the other three - Joffrey, Myrcella and Tommen - being Jaime’s biological children.
Notable Alliances: twin brother Jaime Lannister; Gregor Clegane aka The Mountain (professional strongman Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson); son Tommen Baratheon (Dean Charles Chapman - 1917, Blinded By The Light).
Tyrion Lannister
Played By: Peter Dinklage (X-Men: Days of Future Past, I Care A Lot)
Tyrion Lannister is the youngest of his siblings, and has dwarfism - often making him a prime target for his cruel-natured family.
A drunk and frequent user of brothels, Tyrion nonetheless is personable, smart and quick-witted - which gets him both in and out of trouble.
He is also a useful ally to have on your side, with connections to all major players vying for the Iron Throne.
Notable Alliances: Daenerys Targaryen; Sansa Stark; Cersei Lannister; Jaime Lannister; Jorah Mormont; his squire, Podrick Payne (Daniel Portman - Black Mirror, Vigil); Ser Bronn (Jerome Flynn – Black Mirror, Ripper Street)
Arya Stark
Played By: Maisie Williams (Pistol, Two Weeks To Live)
Arya Stark is the third legitimate child of Ned and Catelyn Stark, and finds herself more naturally drawn to the rough-and-tumble nature of her brothers than her sister, Sansa.
She is naturally skilled in fighting and swordsmanship - which comes in useful when she finds herself seeking vengeances. Her weapon of choice is a small, slight sword she nicknames ‘Needle’.
Notable Alliances: Sandor Clegane aka ‘The Hound’ (Rory McCann - Hot Fuzz, Jumanji: The Next Level); Gendry (Joe Dempsie - Pieces of Her, Skins).
Sansa Stark
Played By: Sophie Turner (X-Men: Dark Phoenix, The Staircase)
Of her four brothers-and-sisters, Sansa is by far the most feminine and most-willing to take on a feminine role within society. Primed and ready to be married off to a fellow noble house, a twist in fate sees Sansa discovering her own place in Westeros in a way she could never have imagined.
Notable Alliances: Lord Baelish; Tyrion Lannister.
Jamie Lannister
Played By: Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Oblivion, Radioman)
Jamie Lannister is a celebrated soldier, member of the Kingsguard, and later Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. Despite bravado, Jaime is far more sensitive than he lets on. Despite his father and sister, Jaime has a close bond with his brother Tyrion. He’s in love with his sister, Cersei, and finds himself bonding with Brienne of Tarth during their time together.
Notable Alliances: Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie - Wednesday); Cersei Lannister
Bran Stark
Played By: Isaac Hempstead-Wright (Voyagers, The Boxtrolls)
Bran Stark is introduced as the mischievous youngest Stark sibling, who loves to climb and spy on the world around him. Despite his brothers’ efforts, he is not as naturally skilled at fighting, though dreams of becoming a knight.
However, an accident leaves him known as Bran The Broken - and it sets him on a path that leads him to developing supernatural gifts.
Notable Alliances: Hodor (Kristian Nairn - Our Flag Means Death, The Appearance)
Eddard Stark (aka Ned)
Played By: Sean Bean (Time, Lord Of The Rings, Snowpiercer)
Ned Stark is patriarch to the Stark family, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North.
He was also Hand Of The King to King Robert Baratheon, whom he considered like a brother having grown up with him.
Ned’s defining characteristic is his fiercely loyal nature, and his devotion to his wife and five children.
Notable Alliances: King Robert I Baratheon (Mark Addy - The Full Monty, A Knight’s Tale)
Robb Stark
Played By: Richard Madden (Bodyguard, Eternals)
Robb Stark is the eldest son, and is often burdened with the idea of looking after his siblings and inevitably assuming his father’s position as head of the house. He is talented in swordsmanship and horse-riding.
Notable Alliances: Theon Greyjoy
Joffrey Baratheon
Played By: Jack Gleeson
Joffrey Baratheon takes after his mother and is naturally cruel, vicious and bloodthirsty.
Cersei often treats him like the King he is destined to be, and so despite his young age he is both aware, and takes advantage of, his position in life. He is the first heir of Robert Baratheon, and next in line to take over the throne.
Reckless in his decision making, his actions set off a chain of events that changes Westeros forever.
Notable Alliances: Cersei Lannister.
Other Important Characters
Tywin Lannister
Played By: Charles Dance (The Crown, The Imitation Game)
The father of the Lannister siblings, Tywin was held in high regard in the realm. Lord of Casterley Rock, and Hand Of The King to three monarchs – meaning while many had the title, he was the true person in charge of decision-making in Westeros. Tywin was also ruthless and calculated, and acts poorly to his imp son, Tyrion.
Theon Greyjoy
Played By: Alfie Allen (SAS Rogue Heroes, Jojo Rabbit)
A right-hand man to Robb Stark as we are first introduced to the show, Theon is the heir of Lord Balon Greyjoy, ruler of the Iron Islands, and younger brother of Yara Greyjoy. His family’s desires for the Iron Throne inform many of his decisions throughout the show, leading him down a dark path before he can find redemption.
Davos Seaworth
Played By: Liam Cunningham (Hunger, The Wind That Shakes The Barley)
A reformed smuggler, sailor and from the slums of King’s Landing known as Flea Bottom, Davos Seaworth is a knight and a loyal servant to those he declares his allegiance to. He is a man who honours justice, and those who deliver it.
Lord Petyr Baelish (aka ‘Littlefinger’)
Played By: Aiden Gillen (Peaky Blinders, The Wire)
Despite coming from no distinguished lineage, Lord Baelish is masterful in his cunning and manipulation on his quest for true power. He knows who to whisper in the ear of, and just what to say to cause trouble.
Lord Varys
Played By: Conleth Hill (3 Body Problem, Vienna Blood)
Given the nickname The Spider, Lord Varys is the Master of Whisperers - an intelligence advisor. Initially on Baratheon’s council, Varys wants to keep the peace of the Seven Kingdoms, and has informants in many of the houses.