'Game of Thrones' season 8:
Battle for the Iron Throne

SPOILERS AHEAD: If you haven't watched Season 8, Episode 6 of "Game of Thrones," scramble onto your nearest dragon and fly away because this post is full of spoilers.

When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. It’s time to find out who wins.

After eight years, seven seasons and 67 episodes, the eighth and final season of HBO’s blockbuster TV show “Game of Thrones” is upon us.

The Night King and his army of wights have broken through the Wall and are about to wreak havoc on Westeros, with Daenerys Targaryen and Jon Snow united in their quest to defeat them. Meanwhile, Queen Cersei is plotting to maintain a tenuous grip on her crown.

So, who will ultimately sit on the Iron Throne? Follow along as we track all the major characters and chronicle every pivotal moment of the final season of “Game of Thrones.”

Key events by season

  • Ned Stark is named Hand of the King

    King Robert Baratheon travels north to Winterfell with his family where he asks Ned Stark to be Hand of the King following Lord Jon Arryn's death.

  • Jaime Lannister pushes Bran Stark off a tower

    While climbing the towers of Winterfell, Bran witnesses Cersei and Jaime Lannister having sex. In order to protect their secret, Jaime pushes Bran off the tower, thinking it would kill him. Bran survives but is paralyzed.

  • Catelyn Stark takes Tyrion Lannister prisoner

    During a chance encounter at an inn, Catelyn Stark calls on Stark bannerman to take Tyrion Lannister prisoner, believing that he sent an assassin to kill her son Bran after Littlefinger revealed that the dagger used in the attack belonged to Tyrion. This would ramp up tensions between the Starks and Lannisters.

  • Khal Drogo kills Viserys Targaryen

    After Viserys threatens a pregnant Daenerys, Khal Drogo kills him by pouring molten gold over his head.

  • Robert Baratheon dies

    While hunting boar, Robert is mortally wounded. It is later revealed that Cersei ordered Lancel Lannister to ply Robert with wine to get him drunk, which led to his eventual death. Joffrey becomes King.

  • Ned Stark is arrested

    After Robert's death, Ned confronts Cersei and Joffrey in an attempt to have them arrested, only to be betrayed by Littlefinger and the City Watch and thrown in the black cells.

  • Battle of Whispering Wood

    Robb Stark deceives Tywin Lannister by sacrificing a smaller force to fight against him while he lures Jaime Lannister and his army into the Whispering Wood. There, Robb wins a decisive victory and takes the Kingslayer prisoner.

  • Ned Stark is executed

    To protect his daughters, Ned agrees to Cersei’s terms to publicly confess to treason and to be sent to the wall to become a member of the Night’s Watch. King Joffrey has Ned Stark beheaded anyway, setting off the War of the Five Kings.

  • Tyrion Lannister named acting Hand of the King

    Following the execution of Ned Stark, Tywin Lannister names his son Tyrion as acting Hand of the King to help rule in his stead and to rein in King Joffrey and Cersei.

  • Robb Stark proclaimed King in the North

    Following the death of Ned Stark, the northern lords declare Robb Stark King in the North as they break off from the Seven Kingdoms and wage war against King Joffrey and Tywin Lannister.

  • Daenerys Targaryen's dragons are born

    After the death of Khal Drogo, Daenerys enters his burning funeral pyre along with her three petrified dragon eggs and walks out unscathed along with three newly born dragons.

  • Arya Stark captured and taken to Harrenhal

    Arya Stark’s party is ambushed while traveling to the Wall. She is captured and taken to Harrenhal, where she serves as Tywin Lannister’s cupbearer. It is there that Jaqen H’Ghar, a member of the Faceless Men, pledges to repay Arya for saving his life, eventually freeing her and leading her to train at the House of Black and White to become an assassin.

  • Renly Baratheon murdered by a spirit

    After having sex with Stannis Baratheon, Melisandre gives birth to a spirit that assassinates Renly Baratheon. Renly’s remaining forces join Stannis, while the Tyrell army leaves for Highgarden.

  • Catelyn Stark frees Jaime Lannister

    Defying her son Robb, Catelyn Stark frees Jaime Lannister and has Brienne of Tarth escort him to King’s Landing in order to exchange his life for her daughters.

  • Theon Greyjoy betrays the Starks

    Betraying the Starks, Theon Greyjoy takes control of Winterfell with an Iron-born force and fakes the deaths of Bran and Rickon Stark after they evade capture.

  • Battle of Blackwater Bay

    Leading the defense of King’s Landing, Tyrion Lannister uses wildfire to destroy most of Stannis’ fleet of ships, forcing Stannis to attack on land. The city nearly falls before Tywin Lannister and the Tyrell forces arrive and force Stannis to retreat.

  • Daenerys Targaryen enters the House of the Undying

    After her dragons are stolen by the warlock Pyat Pree, Daenerys Targaryen enters the House of the Undying in Qarth, where she sees multiple visions before being reunited with her dragons. She escapes after Drogon burns down the tower.

  • Jon Snow is forced to kill Qhorin Halfhand

    Jon Snow and Qhorin Halfhand, lead ranger for the Night’s Watch, are captured by the wildlings. Halfhand forces Snow to fight and kill him in order to infiltrate the wildlings.

  • Robb Stark marries Talisa Maegyr

    Despite agreeing to marry one of Walder Frey's daughters, Robb Stark defies his mom and secretly marries Talisa Maegyr, a nurse he meets on the battlefield.

  • Battle of the Fist of the First Men

    We get our first glimpse of the army of the undead as a horde of them descend on a group of the Night’s Watch encamped at the Fist of the First Men. The Night’s Watch is forced to flee after being overrun.

  • Bran Stark meets Jojen and Meera Reed

    On a mission to take Bran north of the Wall, Jojen and Meera Reed find him along with Rickon Stark, Osha and Hodor in a forest near Winterfell. Rickon and Osha separate from the group, heading to the Umbers for protection while the rest go north of the Wall.

  • Jaime Lannister has his hand cut off

    En route to Harrenhal, Jaime manages to prevent Brienne of Tarth being raped by Locke and his men. However, Locke cuts off Jaime’s sword hand.

  • The Unsullied join Daenerys Targaryen

    Daenerys makes a deal with the slave masters in Astapor to exchange one of her dragons for an army of Unsullied warriors. However, after taking command of the Unsullied, she turns Drogon and her new army on the masters and kills them all.

  • Mutiny at Craster's Keep

    The surviving members of the Night’s Watch make their way to Craster’s Keep after the Battle of the Fist of the First Men, but a number of deserters mutiny, killing Jeor Mormont and Craster in the process.

  • Daario Naharis pledges the Second Sons to Daenerys Targaryen

    Despite being pledged to the Wise Masters of Yunkai, Daario Naharis kills the other two commanders of the Second Sons and switches allegiance to Daenerys.

  • Tyrion Lannister and Sansa Stark get married

    Tywin Lannister forces Tyrion and Sansa to marry, preventing a potential marriage between Loras Tyrell and Sansa. Their brief, loveless union is unconsummated.

  • Daenerys Targaryen overthrows the slave masters of Yunkai

    Jorah, Grey Worm and Daario Naharis sneak into Yunkai, open the gates and allow Daenerys’ forces into the city. The slave soldiers quickly surrender, allowing Daenerys to overthrow the Wise Masters.

  • Robb Stark executes Lord Rickard Karstark

    In one of Robb Stark’s biggest tests, he personally executes Lord Rickard Karstark for treason after Karstark kills two Lannister boys for revenge. The Karstark forces then abandon the Starks for killing their lord.

  • The Red Wedding

    Edmure Tully and Roslin Frey's wedding reception turns bloody when Tywin Lannister and Roose Bolton conspire with Walder Frey to massacre their Stark guests. Robb, Catelyn and Talisa Stark are all killed, along with all the Northmen that accompany them.

  • Birth of a White Walker

    One of Craster's newly born sons is brought to an altar where the Night King turns him into a White Walker.

  • The Purple Wedding

    After marrying Margaery Tyrell, King Joffrey is poisoned and chokes to death in what is known as the Purple Wedding. As he lies dying, he accuses Tyrion Lannister of killing him.

  • Daenerys Targaryen liberates the slaves in Meereen

    Grey Worm sneaks into Meereen and arms the slaves, inciting them to revolt and overthrow the masters. The slaves would open the gates to Meereen, allowing Daenerys and her army to march in and take the city.

  • Tyrion Lannister's trial

    Tyrion is accused of killing King Joffrey and is put on trial. After his lover Shae is put on the stand and fabricates a story about his involvement, Tyrion demands a trial by combat to determine his fate.

  • The Viper vs. the Mountain

    Oberyn Martell volunteers himself as Tyrion's champion against The Mountain in order to avenge the death of his sister. He toys with The Mountain and brings him to the brink of death, but gets careless and has his head crushed in before he can finish him off.

  • Tyrion kills Tywin Lannister

    While escaping King's Landing with the help of Varys and his brother Jaime, Tyrion takes a detour to his father's chambers, where he strangles his former lover Shae to death before killing Tywin with a crossbow.

  • Brienne of Tarth fights The Hound

    Brienne finds Arya Stark traveling with The Hound and defeats him in one-on-one combat. The Hound begs Arya to grant him a mercy killing, but she leaves him behind, believing he'll slowly bleed to death.

  • The Battle of Castle Black

    Jon Snow helps lead the defense of Castle Black against a wilding attack but watches helplessly as his former wildling lover Ygritte dies in his arms after she is shot with an arrow.

  • Stannis Baratheon defeats the wildlings

    Jon Snow goes beyond the Wall to assassinate Mance Rayder under the pretext of parleying with him. Before he has a chance to act, Stannis Baratheon and his forces show up and defeat the remaining wildling army.

  • Jon Snow becomes Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch

    Samwell Tarly unexpectedly nominates Jon Snow to be the next Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. Jon and Alliser Thorne end up in a tie, which is broken by Maester Aemon, making Jon leader of a divided Night's Watch.

  • Arya Stark enters the House of Black and White

    Arya travels to Braavos where she enters the House of Black and White and begins her training with Jaqen H'Ghar to become a Faceless Man.

  • Margaery and Loras Tyrell are imprisoned by the High Sparrow

    Cersei Lannister schemes against the Tyrells, which results in the High Sparrow imprisoning Loras Tyrell and then Queen Margaery.

  • Cersei Lannister is imprisoned by the High Sparrow

    The High Sparrow imprisons Cersei after Lancel Lannister, who has abandoned his family and become a Faith Militant, confesses his adulterous affair with her.

  • Stannis Baratheon sacrifices Princess Shireen

    Stannis sacrifices his daughter at the urging of Melisandre, which causes the bulk of his men to desert him and his wife Selyse to commit suicide.

  • Massacre at Hardhome

    Jon Snow arrives at Hardhome to convince the remaining wildlings to evacuate. As they are boarding boats to leave for the Wall, the White Walkers arrive and attack, massacring thousands. The survivors witness the Night King resurrect the dead as wights.

  • Cersei Lannister's walk of atonement

    In order to repent for her crimes and escape her imprisonment, a naked Cersei takes a walk of atonement from the Great Sept of Baelor to the Red Keep.

  • Coup attempt by the Sons of the Harpy

    The Sons of the Harpy attempt to assassinate Daenerys Targaryen in the fighting pits of Meereen, but Drogon saves her and they escape Meereen together.

  • Stannis Baratheon is defeated

    With his diminished forces, Stannis Baratheon is defeated in his attempt to take Winterfell from Ramsay Bolton. Stannis retreats into the woods where he meets Brienne of Tarth, who executes him to avenge Renly Baratheon's death.

  • Jon Snow is betrayed and killed

    Olly uses news of his uncle Benjen Stark to lure Jon Snow outside and into a trap. Alliser Thorne and a group of the Night's Watch then stab Jon to death.

  • Jon Snow is resurrected by Melisandre

    Davos Seaworth urges a broken Melisandre to call on the Lord of Light to resurrect Jon Snow. Her efforts succeed and Snow comes back to life, to the shock of everyone at Castle Black.

  • Ellaria Sand stages a coup in Dorne

    Believing Doran Martell to be unfit to rule for not taking action after the death of Oberyn Martell, Ellaria Sand and her daughters kill Doran and Trystane Martell and take control of Dorne.

  • Daenerys Targaryen takes control of the Dothraki

    Captured by Khal Moro and his khalasar, Daenerys is taken to Dosh Khaleen. During a gathering of the khals to decide her fate, she burns them alive inside the Temple of Dosh Khaleen. After Daenerys emerges from the flames unscathed, the Dothraki pledge their allegiance to her.

  • Bran Stark witnesses the birth of the Night King

    The Three-Eyed Raven takes Bran back in time to witness the Children of the Forest creating the first White Walker (who we know now as the Night King), with a piece of dragon glass.

  • The Night King kills the Three-Eyed Raven

    The Night King kills the Three-Eyed Raven but Bran Stark escapes with Meera Reed -- and with the help of an undead Benjen Stark -- after Hodor sacrifices himself by holding a horde of wights behind a cave door before succumbing.

  • Daenerys Targaryen defeats the masters in Slaver's Bay

    With the slave masters besieging Meereen with their ships, Daenerys returns to the city and burns their ships with her dragons while her new Dothraki army slaughters the Sons of the Harpy.

  • Battle of the Bastards

    After Ramsay Bolton kills Rickon Stark with an arrow, Jon Snow recklessly charges the Bolton army, putting his force of wildlings and Northern houses at a tactical disadvantage. They are surrounded and nearly defeated before Littlefinger and the knights of the Vale arrive to defeat Bolton's forces.

  • Sansa Stark kills Ramsay Bolton

    An imprisoned Ramsay Bolton gets a taste of his own (sick and twisted) medicine when Sansa Stark gets her revenge by unleashing his own ravenous dogs on him.

  • Cersei Lannister bombs the Great Sept of Baelor

    Cersei uses a cache of wildfire stored below the Great Sept of Baelor to blow it up, killing everyone inside, including Margaery Tyrell and her family. King Tommen dies by suicide after learning what happened, making Cersei the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms.

  • Arya Stark kills Walder Frey

    Arya Stark infiltrates the Twins where she kills two of Walder Frey's sons and bakes them into a pie, serving it to Frey before revealing herself and killing him to avenge her family.

  • R+L=J confirmed

    The Three-Eyed Raven takes Bran Stark to the Tower of Joy where he witnesses Jon Snow's birth and discovers his true parentage.

  • Jon Snow named King in the North

    Jon Snow is named the King in the North after retaking Winterfell from Ramsay Bolton.

  • Arya Stark avenges the Red Wedding

    Arya Stark, disguised as Walder Frey, gathers the Frey males for a feast. While giving a toast, the Frey males drink poisoned wine as Arya watches them die.

  • Summit at Dragonstone

    With Tyrion Lannister serving as Hand of the Queen and Varys as her Master of Whisperers, Daenerys Targaryen forges an alliance with Olenna Tyrell, Yara Greyjoy and Ellaria Sand in a meeting at Dragonstone where they plot her invasion of Westeros.

  • Euron Greyjoy ambushes Yara Greyjoy's fleet

    Escorting Ellaria Sand to Dorne, Yara Greyjoy's fleet is ambushed and destroyed by her uncle Euron's fleet. Yara, along with Ellaria and Tyene Sand, are taken captive while Theon escapes.

  • The Sack of Highgarden

    Instead of fortifying Casterly Rock, Jaime Lannister leads the Lannister-Tarly forces to overtake the Tyrells in Highgarden. Following their victory, he meets with Olenna Tyrell, giving her poison to kill herself as she reveals that she was responsible for Joffrey's death.

  • The Loot Train Attack

    Returning to King's Landing, the Lannister supply line is ambushed by Daenerys Targaryen. Riding atop Drogon, she burns their supply line down while her Dothraki horde overwhelms their soldiers.

  • Jon Snow goes beyond the Wall to capture a wight

    Jon Snow leads a small force of men north of the Wall to capture a wight to prove the existence of the undead. After Jon kills a White Walker, they capture a wight but not before it calls for help.

  • The Night King kills Viserion

    Jon Snow's group is surrounded by the Night King and his army and facing near-certain death when Daenerys Targaryen arrives with her dragons and saves them. The Night King kills Viserion, then uses his powers to resurrect the dragon. (Yes, the White Walkers have an undead dragon now.) Jon stays behind to hold off the wights, then flees to safety on Benjen Stark's horse.

  • Parley in King's Landing

    Daenerys Targaryen and Jon Snow bring a wight to the dragon pit in King's Landing to broker a peace with Cersei Lannister so they can put aside their differences to fight the army of the dead. Cersei agrees to a truce after meeting with Tyrion but later reveals to Jaime she has no intention of sending her armies north.

  • Arya Stark kills Littlefinger

    After attempting to pit Arya and Sansa Stark against one another, Littlefinger is tricked and put on trial. After Sansa finds him guilty of a number of crimes, Arya cuts his throat with his own Valyrian steel dagger that was used in an attack on Bran Stark.

  • Jon Snow begins his romance with Daenerys Targaryen

    Samwell Tarly meets with Bran Stark in Winterfell where they discuss Jon Snow's lineage. Together, they realize that Snow is the true heir to the Iron Throne as the legitimate son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark just as Jon begins a romance with Daenerys Targaryen, who is his aunt.

  • The Night King destroys Eastwatch by the Sea

    The army of the dead arrive at the Wall. Riding an undead Viserion, the Night King destroys part of the Wall, beginning the invasion of Westeros by the army of the dead.

  • Reunions in Winterfell

    Despite the tension following the arrival of Daenerys Targaryen and her army, there are several heartfelt reunions in Winterfell: Arya Stark is reunited with Gendry and sees the Hound after believing him to be dead, while Jon Snow sees Arya and Bran Stark for the first time since he departed for the Wall.

  • Jon Snow learns the truth about his parents

    Jon Snow is reunited with Samwell Tarly in the crypts of Winterfell. There, Samwell reveals to Jon that his true parents are Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark and that his name is actually Aegon Targaryen (as he is more widely known as Jon Snow, we will continue to refer to him as such). Samwell also reveals that he is not a bastard and that he, not Daenerys Targaryen, is the rightful heir to the Iron Throne.

  • Jon Snow reveals the truth to Daenerys Targaryen

    In the crypts of Winterfell, Jon Snow reveals to Daenerys Targaryen the truth about his parents and the fact that he is the last male heir of the Targaryen dynasty, giving him a legitimate claim to the Iron Throne. However, this moment is abruptly cut short as a war horn blows, signaling the arrival of the White Walkers.

  • Battle of Winterfell

    The Battle of Winterfell looked mostly like a one-sided battle. Melisandre reappears to summon the Lord of Light in key moments and give Arya Stark a pep talk on her purpose. The living sustained heavy losses, with the army of wights killing nearly all of their combined forces, including some beloved characters: Jorah Mormont, Theon Greyjoy, Beric Dondarrion, Melisandre, Dolorous Edd and Lyanna Mormont.

  • The Night King and army of wights fall

    With all hope nearly lost and the Night King about to kill Bran Stark, Arya Stark jumps in at the last moment and kills the Night King with her Valyrian steel dagger, destroying all the White Walkers and the army of wights.

  • Jon Snow’s secret begins to spread

    Daenerys Targaryen begs Jon Snow to keep his family secret to himself. However, after Jon swears Sansa and Arya Stark to secrecy, they learn the truth. Sansa would later relay that information to Tyrion Lannister, who then tells Varys as they debate whether Daenerys or Jon should sit on the Iron Throne.

  • Euron Greyjoy ambushes Daenerys Targaryen

    En route to Dragonstone, Euron Greyjoy ambushes Daenerys Targaryen and kills Rhaegal. Missandei is captured after Daenerys' fleet is destroyed by Euron, and she is later executed by Cersei.

  • The last war

    Daenerys Targaryen and Drogon ambush the Iron Fleet and destroy it along with the rest of the scorpions. After Drogon blows open the front gates, Daenerys’ ground forces charge through and slaughter everyone in their path.

  • Daenerys Targaryen goes mad

    Daenerys Targaryen goes mad and burns King’s Landing to the ground with Drogon despite Queen Cersei’s forces surrendering the city to her.

  • Cleganebowl

    The long-awaited showdown between brothers Sandor and Gregor Clegane finally happened. The Hound sacrifices himself and tackles the Mountain as they fall to their deaths.

  • Jaime and Cersei Lannister die

    Jaime manages to reach Cersei and they attempt to escape through the dungeons, but they are crushed after the Red Keep collapses above them.

  • Jon Snow kills Daenerys Targaryen

    Realizing that Daenerys Targaryen has gone mad with power and will continue her ruthless conquest, Jon Snow kills her in order to prevent more bloodshed. He is sent to the Night’s Watch in order to prevent a war.

  • Bran Stark is named king

    Nominated to be the new king of Westeros by Tyrion Lannister, Bran Stark accepts and names Tyrion as his new hand. The North succeeds and becomes an independent kingdom with Sansa Stark serving as Queen. Joining Tyrion on the small council are Ser Davos, Bronn, Brienne and Samwell Tarly.

Tracking key characters

Jon Snow

Jon Snow

Alive

Daenerys Targaryen

Daenerys Targaryen

Dead

Cersei Lannister

Cersei Lannister

Dead

Night King

Night King

Dead

Jaime Lannister

Jaime Lannister

Dead

Tyrion Lannister

Tyrion Lannister

Alive

Arya Stark

Arya Stark

Alive

Bran Stark

Bran Stark

Throne

Sansa Stark

Sansa Stark

Alive

Euron Greyjoy

Euron Greyjoy

Dead

Characters by house or affiliation

Jon Snow

Jon Snow

Status: Alive

Known as the bastard child of Ned Stark, Jon Snow is the legitimate son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. Named the King in the North after uniting the Northmen, he helped defeat the Night King and Cersei Lannister. However, he kills Daenerys Targaryen after she massacred the people of King’s Landing and is sent back to the Night’s Watch in order to keep the peace.

Eddard Stark

Eddard Stark

Status: Dead

Ned Stark was a key ally to Robert Baratheon during Robert's Rebellion and would briefly serve as his Hand of the King. Ned would be executed by King Joffrey for treason, setting off the War of the Five Kings.

Sansa Stark

Sansa Stark

Status: Alive

Originally betrothed to Joffrey Baratheon, she is forced to wed Tyrion Lannister. After Joffrey's murder, she escapes King's Landing, only to be married to Ramsay Bolton at Winterfell. After Ramsay's defeat, she becomes Lady of Winterfell.

Arya Stark

Arya Stark

Status: Alive

After escaping King's Landing following her father's execution, Arya Stark's long journey eventually takes her to Braavos, where she is trained by the Faceless Men at the House of Black and White to become an assassin. She would strike the final blow that would kill the Night King and destroy the army of wights.

Bran Stark

Bran Stark

Status: Alive

Bran Stark is paralyzed after Jaime Lannister pushes him out of a window, but as a warg, he can inhabit the minds of animals and can also see through space and time with greensight. He becomes the Three-Eyed Raven after the former is killed, and he is chosen as the new king of Westeros.

Catelyn Stark

Catelyn Stark

Status: Dead

The wife of Ned Stark, Catelyn Stark is a Tully by birth and was originally supposed to marry Ned's older brother before his death. She was killed alongside her son Robb Stark at the Red Wedding massacre.

Robb Stark

Robb Stark

Status: Dead

As the firstborn son of Ned and Catelyn Stark, Robb Stark was named the King in the North during the War of the Five Kings. However, after breaking a marriage pact with House Frey, he was betrayed and killed at the infamous Red Wedding massacre.

Hodor

Hodor

Status: Dead

Called Hodor because it was his only spoken word, we learn he was told to "hold the door" to let Bran Stark escape the Night King, and a slurred version was seared into his mind during one of Bran's visions of the past.

Brienne of Tarth

Brienne of Tarth

Status: Alive

Originally serving as Kingsguard to Renly Baratheon, Brienne pledged her sword to Catelyn Stark after Renly's death. After Catelyn was killed, she pledged her sword to protect Sansa and Arya Stark.

Benjen Stark

Benjen Stark

Status: Dead

The younger brother of Ned Stark, Benjen Stark was the First Ranger of the Night’s Watch and was saved by the Children of the Forest after being attacked by a White Walker. He sacrificed himself beyond the wall to save Jon Snow.

Rickon Stark

Rickon Stark

Status: Dead

The youngest child of the Stark family, Rickon Stark was killed by Ramsay Bolton with an arrow at the Battle of the Bastards.

Daenerys Targaryen

Daenerys Targaryen

Status: Dead

Daenerys Targaryen was able to amass an army along with three dragons and free the people of Slaver’s Bay. After bringing her army to Westeros and helping to defeat the Night King, she uses Drogon, her last remaining dragon, and massacres the people of King’s Landing. She would be killed by Jon Snow.

Jorah Mormont

Jorah Mormont

Status: Dead

Ser Jorah Mormont is the disgraced son of Lord Commander Jeor Mormont. After recovering from a near-fatal illness, and he has earned a place back at Daenerys' side. He dies defending Daenerys during the Battle of Winterfell.

Grey Worm

Grey Worm

Status: Alive

Trained in Astapor and elected to be the leader of the Unsullied -- a fierce group of eunuch warriors renowned for their discipline and skill in battle -- Grey Worm is one of Daenerys Targaryen's most loyal warriors.

Missandei

Missandei

Status: Dead

Originally a slave, Missandei served as an interpreter to the masters of Astapor. After being freed by Daenerys Targaryen, she served as her handmaiden before becoming one of Daenerys' most trusted advisors. She was executed by Cersei after being captured by Euron Greyjoy.

Varys

Varys

Status: Dead

Varys the Spider served as the Master of Whisperers (a master spy) on the small council to several kings. Varys escaped from King's Landing with Tyrion Lannister, and he served as a member of Daenerys Targaryen's small council before she had Drogon burn him alive for treason.

Drogon

Drogon

Status: Alive

The biggest of Daenerys Targaryen's three dragons, he is often the one she chooses to ride. He can be distinguished by his black and red scales and wings.

Rhaegal

Rhaegal

Status: Dead

Named after Daenery Targaryen's oldest brother Rhaegar Targaryen, Rhaegal's scales are mostly green, while his wings have a yellow tint. Wounded after the Battle of Winterfell, he was killed after Euron Greyjoy’s ambush near Dragonstone.

Viserion

Viserion

Status: Dead

Named after Daenerys Targaryen's brother Viserys Targaryen, the dragon Viserion was killed by the Night King and later resurrected under his control. He died after the Night King was killed.

Daario Naharis

Daario Naharis

Status: Alive

The commander of the Second Sons, Daario Naharis was Daenerys Targaryen's former lover. However, when it was time for her to sail to Westeros, he was ordered to remain in Meereen to keep the peace.

Viserys Targaryen

Viserys Targaryen

Status: Dead

Viserys Targaryen was the second son of King Aerys II Targaryen and older brother to Daenerys. Khal Drogo later killed him for threatening Daenerys and their unborn child.

Cersei Lannister

Cersei Lannister

Status: Dead

The only daughter of Tywin Lannister, Cersei had three children with her brother Jaime while she was married to King Robert Baratheon. She was crowned Queen of Westeros following the deaths of her sons King Joffrey, King Tommen and Queen Margaery. She died after trying to escape the Red Keep with her brother Jaime.

Jaime Lannister

Jaime Lannister

Status: Dead

The twin brother and incestuous lover of Cersei Lannister, Jaime has sired three children with her. Considered one of the kingdom's greatest swordsmen, he has served as a member of the Kingsguard for several kings. He died after trying to escape the Red Keep with Cersei.

Tyrion Lannister

Tyrion Lannister

Status: Alive

The youngest child of Tywin Lannister, Tyrion was born a dwarf. After killing his father and escaping Kings Landing, he joined Daenerys Targaryen and serves as her Hand of the Queen.

Tywin Lannister

Tywin Lannister

Status: Dead

The former patriarch of the Lannister family, Tywin Lannister served as Hand of the King to King Aerys II Targaryen and to King Joffrey. He was killed with a crossbow by his son Tyrion.

Lancel Lannister

Lancel Lannister

Status: Dead

Lancel Lannister was the nephew of Tywin Lannister. He became one of the High Sparrow's most devoted followers and he was killed during Cersei's bombing of the Great Sept of Baelor.

Gregor Clegane

Gregor Clegane

Status: Dead

The elder brother of Sandor Clegane, The Mountain was nearly killed fighting Oberyn Martell. Qyburn managed to save him, and he has returned as a monstrous figure that is loyal only to Cersei Lannister. He died fighting his brother.

Qyburn

Qyburn

Status: Dead

A former maester, Qyburn replaced Varys as Master of Whisperers on the King's small council and served as Hand of the Queen to Cersei Lannister before being killed by the Mountain.

Samwell Tarly

Samwell Tarly

Status: Alive

A brother of the Night's Watch and one of Jon Snow's closest friends, he is sent to the Citadel to become a maester. At Winterfell, he and Bran piece together Jon's true name.

Jeor Mormont

Jeor Mormont

Status: Dead

The 997th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, Jeor Mormont of Bear Island was killed during a mutiny at Craster's Keep.

Maester Aemon

Maester Aemon

Status: Dead

He was the great uncle of Daenerys Targaryen and faithfully served the Night’s Watch for several decades. He lived to be more than 100 and died at Castle Black of natural causes.

Dolorous Edd

Dolorous Edd

Status: Dead

One of Jon Snow's closest friends, Dolorous Edd served as the acting Lord Commander of the Night's Watch before falling in the Battle of Winterfell.

Night King

Night King

Status: Dead

Created by the Children of the Forest, the Night King was originally one of the First Men before he became the first-ever White Walker. After leading an assault on Winterfell, he would die after being stabbed with a Valyrian steel dagger by Arya Stark.

Tormund Giantsbane

Tormund Giantsbane

Status: Alive

Formerly one of Mance Rayder's top Lieutenants, Tormund Giantsbane is a fierce warrior who has become one of Jon Snow's most loyal supporters as unofficial leader of the wildlings.

Gilly

Gilly

Status: Alive

One of Craster's daughters and wives, she escaped from his compound beyond the Wall with the help of Samwell Tarly. She is now at Winterfell with Samwell and her son.

Ygritte

Ygritte

Status: Dead

A wildling, Ygritte and Jon Snow became lovers beyond the Wall. She nearly killed Snow after discovering his betrayal but was later killed during the wildling attack on Castle Black.

Osha

Osha

Status: Dead

A wildling, Osha was captured by Robb Stark after she attacked Bran Stark. She later helped Bran and Rickon Stark escape from Theon Greyjoy, but was killed by Ramsay Bolton.

Mance Rayder

Mance Rayder

Status: Dead

The King beyond the Wall, Mance Rayder was a former brother of the Night's Watch. After joining the wildlings, he rallied them together to march south but was defeated by Stannis and eventually executed.

Robert Baratheon

Robert Baratheon

Status: Dead

A former King of Westeros, Robert Baratheon started the war that ended the Targaryen dynasty. Married to Cersei Lannister, he would inadvertently die after she plotted his death.

Stannis Baratheon

Stannis Baratheon

Status: Dead

Robert Baratheon’s brother, Stannis waged war against King Joffrey before turning his attention to the threat beyond the Wall. He was killed by Brienne of Tarth after his depleted army lost a battle to Ramsay Bolton.

Renly Baratheon

Renly Baratheon

Status: Dead

The younger sibling of Robert and Stannis Baratheon, Renly Baratheon was assassinated by a spirit sent by the Red Priestess, Melisandre.

Gendry

Gendry

Status: Alive

The bastard child of Robert Baratheon, Gendry is a skilled blacksmith that wields a war hammer like his father and has aligned himself with Jon Snow.

Joffrey Baratheon

Joffrey Baratheon

Status: Dead

The eldest child of Cersei and Jaime Lannister, Joffrey succeeded Robert Baratheon as king and proved to be a sadistic ruler. He married Margaery Tyrell but was poisoned by Olenna Tyrell and died at their wedding feast.

Tommen Baratheon

Tommen Baratheon

Status: Dead

The youngest child of Cersei and Jaime Lannister, Tommen was crowned king after the death of his brother Joffrey. He married Margaery Tyrell, but committed suicide after the destruction of the Great Sept of Baelor.

Myrcella Baratheon

Myrcella Baratheon

Status: Dead

The only daughter of Jaime and Cersei Lannister, Myrcella Baratheon was poisoned by Ellaria Sand.

Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish

Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish

Status: Dead

The former Master of Coin to all three Baratheon kings, Littlefinger was named Lord Protector of the Eyrie and the Vale of Arryn. He was later found guilty for numerous crimes, including betraying Ned Stark, and executed by Arya Stark.

“The Hound”

“The Hound”

Status: Dead

The Hound served as Joffrey Lannister's personal bodyguard and later as a member of his Kingsguard. He has now joined the fight against the White Walkers and army of the dead.

Khal Drogo

Khal Drogo

Status: Dead

Khal Drogo led a great Dothraki khalasar and was wed to Daenerys Targaryen. Daenerys used a pillow to suffocate him after the Lhazareen godswife Mirri Maz Duur put him into a vegetative state using blood magic.

Davos Seaworth

Davos Seaworth

Status: Alive

Davos Seaworth, a former smuggler known as the Onion Knight, served as Hand of the King to Stannis Baratheon. Since Stannis' death, he has become Jon Snow's most trusted advisor.

Melisandre

Melisandre

Status: Dead

Often called the Red Woman, Melisandre is a Priestess to R'hllor, the Lord of Light. She guided most of Stannis Baratheon's major decisions and resurrected Jon Snow after he was killed. She dies after playing a pivotal role during the Battle of Winterfell.

Bronn

Bronn

Status: Alive

A sellsword, Bronn saved Tyrion Lannister's life after serving as his champion in a trial by combat at the Eyrie. He would later serve briefly as the Commander of the City Watch, and he now works for the Lannisters.

The High Sparrow

The High Sparrow

Status: Dead

The High Sparrow was the leader of a religious group of zealots known as the Sparrows, and Cersei Lannister mistakenly empowered him by making him the new High Septon. He was killed after Cersei blew up the Great Sept of Baelor.

Beric Dondarrion

Beric Dondarrion

Status: Dead

Beric Dondarrion leads the rebel group the Brotherhood Without Banners. He has been killed six times in combat, but has been resurrected by Thoros of Myr through the power of R'Hllor, the Lord of Light. He dies protecting Arya Stark during the Battle of Winterfell.

Walder Frey

Walder Frey

Status: Dead

The former head of House Frey, Walder Frey was responsible for the Red Wedding massacre that claimed the lives of Robb and Catelyn Stark. He was killed by Arya Stark.

Podrick Payne

Podrick Payne

Status: Alive

Podrick Payne faithfully served as Tyrion Lannister's squire before being assigned by Jaime Lannister to serve as Brienne of Tarth's squire.

Grand Maester Pycelle

Grand Maester Pycelle

Status: Dead

Pycelle served as the Grand Maester and on the small council to several kings. While he was loyal to the Lannisters, he was stabbed to death by Qyburn's little birds on orders from Cersei Lannister.

Robin Arryn

Robin Arryn

Status: Alive

The son of Jon and Lysa Arryn, Robin Arryn is the Lord of the Vale and a cousin of the Stark family. Weak, temperamental and immature, Robin is easily manipulated and unfit to rule.

Theon Greyjoy

Theon Greyjoy

Status: Dead

The son of Balon Greyjoy, Theon betrayed the Starks and took command of Winterfell. He was eventually taken captive by Ramsay Bolton, but is able to redeem himself after helping Sansa Stark escape. He would die at the hands of the Night King while defending Bran Stark.

Yara Greyjoy

Yara Greyjoy

Status: Alive

The older sister of Theon Greyjoy, Yara Greyjoy was captured by her uncle Euron after he ambushed and destroyed her fleet.

Euron Greyjoy

Euron Greyjoy

Status: Dead

Euron killed his brother Balon Greyjoy and took control of the Iron Islands. He would go on to serve Cersei Lannister, but was killed by Jaime Lannister after the Iron Fleet was destroyed by Drogon.

Balon Greyjoy

Balon Greyjoy

Status: Dead

Balon Greyjoy was the former Lord of the Iron Islands and father to Yara and Theon Greyjoy. He was killed by his brother, Euron Greyjoy.

Margaery Tyrell

Margaery Tyrell

Status: Dead

The only daughter of Mace Tyrell, Margaery Tyrell has been married to Renly Baratheon, Joffrey Baratheon and Tommen Baratheon. She was killed after Cersei Lannister blew up the Great Sept of Baelor.

Olenna Tyrell

Olenna Tyrell

Status: Dead

The Queen of Thorns, Olenna Tyrell was the sharp-tongued matriarch of House Tyrell. Her castle Highgarden fell to Lannister forces after she allied with Daenerys Targaryen, and she died by poison given to her by Jaime Lannister.

Loras Tyrell

Loras Tyrell

Status: Dead

The brother of Margaery Tyrell, Loras was the heir to Highgarden. He was killed alongside his sister and father at the bombing of the Great Sept of Baelor.

Mace Tyrell

Mace Tyrell

Status: Dead

The father of Loras and Margaery Tyrell, Mace was the Lord of Highgarden and served on King Tommen’s small council. He was killed alongside his children after Cersei bombed the Great Sept of Baelor.

Oberyn Martell

Oberyn Martell

Status: Dead

Also known as the Red Viper of Dorne, he briefly served on King Tommen's small council. He volunteered as Tyrion Lannister's champion during a trial by combat but was brutally killed by The Mountain.

Doran Martell

Doran Martell

Status: Dead

Doran Martell was the Lord of Sunspear and the head of House Martell. Due to gout, he relied on a wheelchair. He was killed by Ellaria Sand during a coup.

Ellaria Sand

Ellaria Sand

Status: Alive

The paramour of Oberyn Martell, Ellaria Sand staged a coup to take control of Dorne. After being ambushed and captured by Euron Greyjoy, she was imprisoned by Cersei in the dungeons of the Red Keep.

Sand Snakes

Sand Snakes

Status: Dead

Obara, Nymeria and Tyene are the daughters of Oberyn Martell and Ellaria Sand. They help stage a coup in Dorne. Obara and Nymeria are killed by Euron Greyjoy, and Tyene is poisoned by Cersei Lannister.

Meera Reed

Meera Reed

Status: Alive

The daughter of Howland Reed, one of Ned Stark's closest friends, Meera escorts Bran Stark north to the Three-Eyed Raven before escaping the Night King to journey south to Winterfell.

Jojen Reed

Jojen Reed

Status: Dead

The brother of Meera Reed, Jojen had the gift of greensight. He was killed while escorting Bran Stark north to the Three-Eyed Raven.

Roose Bolton

Roose Bolton

Status: Dead

The former Warden of the North, Roose Bolton helped Tywin Lannister and Walder Frey orchestrate the Red Wedding. He was killed by his own son Ramsay Bolton.

Ramsay Bolton

Ramsay Bolton

Status: Dead

The sadistic bastard of Roose Bolton, Ramsay is wed to Sansa Stark. After her escape, he kills his father to take control of Winterfell. Following his defeat in the Battle of the Bastards, he dies when Sansa turns his own dogs on him.

Lyanna Mormont

Lyanna Mormont

Status: Dead

Lyanna Mormont is the Lady of Bear Island and the young head of House Mormont. Former Lord Commander Jeor Mormont was her uncle, and Jorah Mormont is her cousin. She sacrifices herself to kill a giant wight at the Battle of Winterfell.

Produced by Allen Kim, Ivory Sherman, Sofia Ordonez, Tal Yellin, Max Pepper, Natalie Yubas and Christina Kline
Illustration by Ken Fowler; Images courtesy of HBO, Helen Sloan/HBO, Oliver Upton/HBO and Macall B. Polay/HBO