Summary

Game of Thrones' exceptional writing elevates actors' performances, bringing nuance and flavor to the beloved characters.
Characters like Joffrey, Olenna, and Jaime showcase exceptional depth and evolution, captivating audiences with their arcs.
From tyrants like Cersei and Ramsay to complex figures like Tyrion and Theon, the show's iconic characters drive its success.

In the annals of HBO programming, very few shows have delivered a sense of wonder and grandeur to the level of the fantasy epic, Game of Thrones. Riddled with fantasy tropes ranging from magic to noble kingdoms, Game of Thrones' exquisite writing and narrative enabled its actors to convey exceptional performances that elevated its riveting material.

The Hound riding a horse, Melisandre holding a torch, and Theon Greyjoy from Game of Thrones

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Game of Thrones has some big character arcs, but these redemption arcs are the best.

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By Alex Lawrence

Ranging from north of the Wall all the way to Essos, GOT has seen many portrayals exceeding characters from George R.R. Martin's original vision in A Song of Ice and Fire, adding nuance and an extra level of flavor that brought GOT to dominate pop culture and the small screen in the 2010s.

8 Joffrey Baratheon

Cruel King That Sought Pleasure From Pain

Debut: Winter Is Coming, Season 1, Episode 1
Portrayed By: Jack Gleeson

One of the central monarchs in the HBO classic was Joffrey Baratheon, a tyrant king born out of incest between Cersei and Jaime Lannister. Growing up as the spoiled successor to King Robert Baratheon, Jack Gleeson's performance from the get-go served as an essential step in GOT succeeding, with Joffrey's despicable and deplorable actions as a prince and King devastating and disgusting audiences, giving a character fans could find pleasure in hating.

Through Joffrey's torment of Sansa Stark and Tyrion Lannister, Gleeson established Joffrey as a villain for the ages, becoming more emboldened in his cruelty right up to his death.

7 Olenna Tyrell

Commanding Lady Of Highgarden Whose Straight-Talking Nature Sets Her Apart

Debut: Dark Wings, Dark Words, Season 3, Episode 2
Portrayed By: Diana Rigg

In GOT, very few characters or performances are as commanding and scene-stealing as when the Lady of Highgarden, Olenna Tyrell, appears on screen. Despite only arriving in the third season, Olenna's appearance in King's Landing sees her going toe to toe with the Lannisters in a game of politics and power, aided by her grandchildren, Margaery and Loras Tyrell.

Some of Olenna's most memorable scenes see Diana Rigg going toe to toe with the likes of Cersei and Tywin Lannister, exuding high levels of confidence and cunning. In particular, perhaps Olenna's strongest scene is in her last moments, with her standoff opposite Jaime Lannister showcasing the brilliance and captivating Olenna in her full glory.

6 Jaime Lannister

Kingslayer That Has More Depth To Him Than Meets The Eye

Debut: Winter Is Coming, Season 1, Episode 1
Portrayed By: Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

The much famed and notorious King's Guard member Jaime Lannister is one of the most polarizing characters in the show, owing not just to the journey Jaime endures, but a fantastic portrayal. Initially found as arrogant as one of the best swordsmen in Westeros, Jaime goes through the motions, with his journey seeing him being imprisoned, losing a hand, living up to his father's expectations, and balancing the weight of killing King Aerys Targaryen, the Mad King.

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Game of Thrones has no shortage of impressive battles, but who impressed the most with their skills in the art of combat?

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By C.M Edwards

Alongside his deep love for his sister, Cersei, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau thrives and flourishes in many different settings and situations, going from conceited to downtrodden, while offering an underappreciated comedic value.

5 Tywin Lannister

Westeros' Most Powerful Lord

Debut: You Win or You Die, Season 1, Episode 7
Portrayed By: Charles Dance

The regal and authoritative Tywin Lannister was an influential figure within Westeros, often regarded as the most powerful man in the Seven Kingdoms, representing House Lannister. In almost every scene, Charles Dance delivers a level of authority and assertiveness from the outset, frequently found lecturing his three adult children, who often disappoint Tywin, a man with high expectations.

With Tywin's hand in political warfare, Dance's intimidation when trying to further his agendas only spoke to the quality and reverence of his commanding performance. Despite Tywin's strong presence, his scenes with Arya Stark in Harrenhal brought out a different side to Tywin, with Dance excelling within the unusual dynamic, a testament to the actor's profound abilities.

4 Ramsay Bolton

Vile And Abhorrent Warden Of The North

Debut: Dark Wings, Dark Words, Season 3, Episode 2
Portrayed By: Iwan Rheon

Very few characters in TV history have been as sadistic and deranged as Ramsay Bolton, Roose Bolton's bastard son. First emerging as a supposed ally of Theon Greyjoy, soon it would become clear that Ramsay would be a master of playing psychological games, toying with his victims, constantly tilting between sweet and vile. With Theon being his hostage, Ramsay's psychopathic tendencies and infliction of pain on the newly named Reek frightened audiences, even allowing sympathy for Theon, a character who had caused much anguish before becoming Ramsay's lapdog.

While his behavior towards Theon was extreme, Ramsay soon gets his hands on Sansa Stark, committing unspeakable acts on his new wife, with Iwan Rheon coming across as a terrifying individual, making the Warden of the North's death at the hands of Sansa all the more sweeter.

3 Cersei Lannister

Relentless Queen Intent On Protecting Her Offspring

Debut: Winter Is Coming, Season 1, Episode 1
Portrayed By: Lena Headey

Cersei is undoubtedly one of the most influential players in GOT, pulling and posturing for control within King's Landing, doing all she can to protect the ones she loves. Notorious for her incestuous relationship with her brother Jaime, Cersei demonstrates a vindictive and cunning approach as a political player, often going head-to-head with some of King's Landing's smartest individuals in verbal battles.

From living the high life as King Robert's wife, to becoming a prisoner of the High Sparrow, Cersei has suffered and endured, with Headey's range throughout GOT being mightily impressive. From her intense squabbles with Tyrion and her father, Tywin, to affectionate moments with Jaime and her children, Cersei became a true demonstrative force for the show thanks to a flawless portrayal.

2 Tyrion Lannister

Undervalued Lannister Who Has A Way With Words

Debut: Winter Is Coming, Season 1, Episode 1
Portrayed By: Peter Dinklage

Perhaps GOT's most iconic character, Tyrion Lannister, helped propel the show to greatness during its years airing, much in part due to Peter Dinklage's multifaceted performance as the drunken but intelligent dwarf of House Lannister. Often alienated and disparaged by members of his family, including his father Tywin and sister Cersei, Tyrion lives through an eventful journey across Westeros and Essos, interacting with the majority of characters within the show, having inevitable chemistry with many, owing to Dinklage's distinguished talents.

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By Ritwik Mitra

Besides his comedic chops and charisma when interacting with Bronn and Lord Varys, Dinklage particularly excels in the trial of Joffrey's murder, with the accused Tyrion delivering a rousing speech and visceral emotions in defense of his innocence. Such moments saw Dinklage put the show on his back, repaying the faith the show's creators and Martin gave Dinklage when placing the actor as integral to the show getting off its feet.

1 Theon Greyjoy

Self-Righteous Lord Who Gets Battered And Brutalized

Debut: Winter Is Coming, Season 1, Episode 1
Portrayed By: Alfie Allen

Theon has certainly lived a complicated life, starting as a ward for House Stark after the actions of the Greyjoys in the Greyjoy rebellion, leading to Theon having an identity crisis that plagued him for much of his time on GOT. Depicted tremendously by Aflie Allen, Theon's self-righteous behavior at Winterfell soon sees him betraying his found family in attempts to please the family that gave him up, with his cowardly and vile behavior making Theon a true villain in the eyes of viewers.

Later, under the control of Ramsay, Theon descends into becoming a broken man, physically and mentally, traumatized by the pain inflicted. Allen's range and harrowing depiction of a fractured soul is heartbreaking, convincing audiences to feel sorry for the Greyjoy heir, who once walked around Winterfell loud and proud, with the actor going above and beyond in the heavy and draining role.

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