Game of Thrones is one of the biggest shows on television -- literally. Its cast dwarfs that of most other shows, which is a necessity, given the show's predilection for offing even its most popular characters. George R.R. Martin's source material also makes it easy, considering the show writers have nearly endless personalities to adapt from book to screen.
That said, even a show as lauded as Game of Thrones has made its share of missteps. The following is a list of character additions that improved the show and a few that decidedly didn't. Sometimes a character really hits because of what they bring out in the rest of the cast, and sometimes they were just exceptional adaptations that transcended the books. And sometimes a character found their way onto the show and just didn't make the right impact, disappointing audiences rather than pleasing them,
Regardless, now that the show's poised to wrap up the myriad storylines in play, it's fun to take a trip down memory lane to see look back on what additions from season 2 onwards did the show justice and who deserved whatever miserable fate befell them.
It is a serious silver lining that many of the characters we felt "hurt" the show actually did wind up paying for that karmically. But that's tempered a bit by knowing some of our favorites have also met horrible ends they didn't deserve . What can we say? Game of Thrones is cruel mistress, but we're too addicted to stop now.
Here are 12 New Character Additions That Hurt Game Of Thrones (And 13 That Saved It).
SAVED - LYANNA MORMONT
Lyanna Mormont is the best Mormont, hands down. We’ll always have a soft spot for sassy little girls who refuse to act their age, especially in a place like Westeros, which aren;t that fond of women in power.
It speaks to how loyal Bear Islanders are that they would follow a little girl because she’s the reigning Mormont and not try to take advantage of her youth to seek their own power.
Lyanna Mormont’s very existence represents the kind of values the North is known for and what sets them apart from the scheming of places like King’s Landing.
HURT - DAARIO
Despite how handsome both Daarios were, and despite how charming Michiel Huisman’s performance was, Daario was another one of Dany’s suitors that was just a placeholder.
The writing’s been on the wall for a while now regarding Jon and Dany’s potential romance, so any suitor she was into between Seasons 2-6 obviously wasn’t in it for the long haul.
We didn’t mind watching Daario go full Daario on the Sons of the Harpy in “Battle of the Bastards,” but he didn’t add much to the story, except to give Tyrion a reason to roll his eyes.
SAVED - GENDRY
On a show that doesn’t exactly lean in to comedy, Joe Dempsie always manages to make us giggle, no matter what the scene or episode. He was funny saying goodbye to Hot Pie. He was funny strapped down to a bed and covered in leeches. He was literally funny packing up his things and leaving King’s Landing with Davos.
He really gives us a glimpse of what a young Robert Baratheon would’ve been like – a good-natured guy who loved to swing a hammer and not much else.
As sad as Robert’s end was, it’s some comfort that Gendry will be his legacy, not Joffrey.
HURT - DICKON TARLY
Audiences were well-aware of Sam Tarly’s family despite them not showing up until season 6. After all, when you learn someone’s father threatened to destroy them if they didn’t the Night’s Watch, it sticks with you.
Sam’s brother is supposed to be a dashing prince, by all s, but he fails to make an impact.
We also would’ve accepted him being a surprise good brother to Sam. Instead he was just handsome and kind of vacant – a wasted opportunity.
SAVED - SHIREEN BARATHEON
Shireen could’ve been a really problematic adaptation from book to show had they not found the right actress. She’s a pivotal and adorable part of Stannis and Davos’ storyline and has to wrestle with incredibly dark and mature themes despite having been so young.
Luckily, they cast Kerry Ingram, who rbought the Baratheon princess to life in a way that was heartwarming without being treacly.
Her ing is one of the most tragic in the series, especially considering her only desire in the game of thrones was the love of her parents. Way to go, Stannis. Way to go.
HURT - THE SAND SNAKES
The Sand Snakes are supposed to be dangerous and vengeful assassins motivated to burn the Lannisters to the ground in response to the death of their father Oberyn.
While these women are fierce and terrifying in the books, they were petulant children on the show.
Plus, Oberyn perished in a fair fight because he decided to swagger instead of eliminate the Mountain.
T he fact that all the Sand Snakes ever did was fight with each other or swear vengeance against the Lannisters for their father’s stupidity made them more annoying than entertaining by a long shot.
Saved - SHAE
Shae represents one of the rare examples of the show actually improving on the book.
George R.R. Martin’s Shae is a conniving child whom we never believe for a second has any real feelings for Tyrion. She’s a courtesan always on the lookout for herself first, and it’s heartbreaking to see Tyrion fall in love with her in spite of knowing that.
On the show, Sibel Kikelli and the writers redrew her so the character had genuine feelings for Tyrion, but still manages to get caught up in the web of lies and deceit perpetuated by the Lannisters.
Her story on the show became so much more impactful as a result.
HURT - DORAN MARTELL
Poor Prince Doran. His brother’s gone, his mistress-in-law causes way too much trouble, his nieces are no help, and his bodyguard is woefully ineffectual. Oh, and he’s got gout and is wheelchair bound.
Whatever authority he did have went the way of the Stark parents once Oberyn perished and he decided not to exterminate House Lannister immediately.
However, Prince Doran is far more interesting in the books. He’s interested in vengeance for his sister Elia, but he’s playing the long game, waiting for Daenerys to cross the Narrow Sea and seek allies. Unfortunately, the show dropped the ball.
SAVED - YARA GREYJOY
Yara Greyjoy was an utterly necessary addition to the show – she’s the only person who believes in Theon and understands him despite the sins he’d committed.
It’s very hard to feel sympathy for Theon during his first few seasons because despite the difficult upbringing he’s endured, he eliminates a bunch of innocent people in his quest to impress his father.
If it weren’t for Yara chasing after him time and time again and proving to the audience that he mattered to someone, we don’t know if the progression of his story would’ve been so resonant.
Plus, she’s a female pirate – she is literally the coolest girl in Westeros.
HURT - JOJEN REED
Jojen was necessary to move Bran’s story along, but that doesn’t make us like little psychic any better. It’s not that we don’t love Thomas Brodie-Sangster and it’s not that he didn’t do an incredible job with what the writers gave him. But Bran’s story dragged him around the frozen North for so, so many seasons, and the only dynamic characters in his entourage were Meera and Oosha.
Jojen supposedly had prophetic dreams, but we never even got to see one.
He just wheezed and dreamed and then perished.