Game of Thrones: Unbreakable Victors - 8 Characters Who Survived the Epic Journey

WARNING: Spoilers for House of the Dragon ahead. Game of Thrones had a notorious reputation for killing off important characters. This led fans to wonder who managed to survive until the end of the series. While readers of the books might have known about certain deaths in advance, newcomers quickly learned that no character was safe after Ned Stark's beheading in season 1. As the show progressed beyond George R.R. Martin's books, the deaths of beloved characters became expected. Now, with the release of House of the Dragon, it's a good time to revisit the survivors of Game of Thrones.

In season 8 of Game of Thrones, many prominent characters from season 1 met their demise during the Battle of Winterfell, the sack of King's Landing, or the events that followed. However, a few characters managed to survive from the premiere episode all the way through the show's 73 episodes. While the fates of some characters remain unknown, only a handful can be confirmed to have survived from the beginning to the end. Additionally, there are a significant number of characters who lived from the first season (not necessarily the premiere) until the finale.

Jon Snow

Content must be written in English:

Jon Snow, a significant character in the pilot episode of Game of Thrones, defied expectations by surviving until the end of the series. Although he met his demise in the season 5 finale, Jon was later reborn thanks to Melisandre's intervention, allowing him to step down as Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. Jon's subsequent rise as the King in the North united him with other forces against the Night King, despite his illegitimate status as Ned Stark's reputed bastard.

Throughout his journey, Jon formed a bond with Daenerys Targaryen, ultimately pledging his loyalty to her by surrendering his claim and declaring her the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. However, their relationship took a dramatic turn when Jon discovered his true heritage as the legitimate child of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. Following Daenerys' brutal devastation of King's Landing and the deaths of countless innocent people, Jon felt compelled to end her reign by taking her life in a final act of honor. Consequently, he faced exile to the Night's Watch.

Jon's story in Game of Thrones concluded with his decision to venture Beyond the Wall and reside among the Freefolk. Interestingly, the books prior to this point left Jon's fate uncertain, with his resurrection not confirmed within the source material.

Sansa Stark

Arya Stark

From being one of the least-liked characters in the pilot and season 1 of Game of Thrones, Sansa Stark, portrayed by Sophie Turner, transformed into one of the most formidable figures in the entire series. Despite concerns over Sansa Stark's potential demise, she managed to survive until the series finale, emerging as the independent and devoted Queen in the North. Sansa's character arc stands out as one of the most compelling in Game of Thrones, showcasing her evolution from a spoiled lady to a resilient leader. Throughout her journey, she faced numerous brushes with death, yet ultimately prevailed. In the final moments of Game of Thrones, we witness Sansa being celebrated and crowned as the Queen in the North, while the books conclude with her being in the company of Littlefinger in the Eyrie.

Arya Stark, the girl without a name who conquered death, gained immense popularity as one of the most fascinating characters in Game of Thrones, from the very beginning to the ultimate conclusion. She stood out as one of the few characters who managed to survive amidst the ever-growing chaos in the realm of Game of Thrones. By the end of the series, Arya's apprehension towards death dwindled significantly, owing to her exceptional knack for survival.

After Arya Stark was saved by Beric Dondarrion in The Battle of Winterfell and narrowly avoided death during the sack of King's Landing in season 8, she found herself serving on the council that elected her brother Bran as King of Westeros. With the conclusion of Game of Thrones, Arya's captivating storyline concluded with the thrilling prospect of her embarking on a voyage to explore the unknown lands "west of Westeros." In the books, her journey last left her in Braavos, honing her skills with the Faceless Men.

Bran Stark

Bran's story in Game of Thrones covered a wide range, starting with the pilot episode and concluding in the finale. In the beginning, Bran, a skilled climber, witnessed Jaime and Cersei's forbidden affair, resulting in him being thrown out of a window. This incident left him paralyzed from the waist down. Subsequently, he embarked on a transformative journey as the Three-Eyed Raven, relinquishing his position as Lord Brandon Stark of Winterfell following Robb's demise. Upon returning to Winterfell as the new Three-Eyed Raven, Bran utilized his powers to intertwine the narratives of the remaining key characters and played a crucial role in vanquishing the Night King, as demonstrated by Arya's dramatic slaying of the undead leader.

Tyrion Lannister

Game of Thrones concludes with Tyrion deciding that Bran the Broken, who possesses the most compelling story among the remaining noblemen, is the rightful king. This decision, however, has ignited intense debate since 2019. Bran Stark's journey in the show culminates in him assuming the roles of the Three-Eyed Raven and the ruler of Westeros. In contrast, in the books, Bran has only recently encountered the Three-Eyed Raven Beyond the Wall.

Does Tyrion die? That was the question on everyone's mind, but luckily, he managed to cheat death. Alongside Jon Snow, Tyrion Lannister held a crucial role throughout the entire series of Game of Thrones. Despite numerous individuals wishing for his demise and even his own father condemning him to death, Tyrion beat the odds and emerged as the smartest character in the show. Initially, he enjoyed a life of luxury, thanks to his sister's position as queen, his father's role as Hand of the King, and his family's vast wealth. However, everything changed after the untimely demise of King Robert Baratheon.

Ghost

Tyrion Lannister, who had been Game of Thrones' most humorous, sympathetic, and strategic character for several seasons, assumed the role of Hand of the Queen to Daenerys Targaryen. He found himself engaged in a direct conflict with his sister Cersei. Eventually, during the final moments of the series, Tyrion convinced Jon to eliminate Daenerys following her destructive actions in King's Landing. As a consequence, Tyrion was imprisoned. Nevertheless, in the ultimate episode, Tyrion, leading the council, proposed Bran Stark as the new King of Westeros. Once again, Tyrion accepted the position of Hand of the King, with the intention of seeking redemption. It is worth noting that in the books, Tyrion is presently located in Meereen but has not yet had the chance to encounter Daenerys.

In the opening episode of Game of Thrones, Jon was the last to bond with a direwolf pup. While on their journey, Jon, Ned, Bran, Robb, and Theon stumbled upon a litter of direwolves next to their deceased mother. There were six direwolf pups in total, one for each Stark child, including Jon. Despite being labeled as the "bastard," Jon was entrusted with the unique and solitary albino pup, distinguished by its white fur and striking red eyes.

Nymeria (Maybe)

Jon and Ghost spent the majority of Game of Thrones together, with the direwolf often acting as a protector for Jon. However, there were times when the two were separated, such as when Jon left the Wall or Winterfell. In the finale of Game of Thrones, Jon and Ghost are finally reunited when the lead character is exiled to the Night’s Watch. Together, they venture Beyond the Wall and lead the Freefolk back home.

Aside from Ghost, Arya's direwolf Nymeria is the only pup from the pilot that survives till the end of Game of Thrones. In season 1, Arya releases Nymeria to save her from being executed for biting Joffrey. It isn't until season 7 that Arya reunites with Nymeria, who is now leading a pack of wolves in the wilderness. Although the fate of Nymeria is left undisclosed, it is presumed that she manages to survive alongside Arya until the series' conclusion. In the books, there are hints that Nymeria and her pack target enemies of House Stark, such as the Freys.

Illyrio Mopatis (Maybe)

Illyrio Mopatis played a significant role in the pilot and first season of Game of Thrones. He was a loyalist to the Targaryen family and housed Viserys and Daenerys in his manse in Pentos. Illyrio orchestrated Daenerys' marriage to Khal Drogo and had secret correspondence with Lord Varys.

However, Illyrio's relevance dwindled after the first season. He did not make any further physical appearances and his last storyline was in season 5, when Lord Varys brought Tyrion to his home in Pentos. Varys revealed their plan to restore Targaryen rule during this time. Although Illyrio's fate was not confirmed in the show's finale, it is assumed that he continued living luxuriously across the Narrow Sea. In the books, Illyrio guided Tyrion upon his arrival in Essos.

Other Game Of Thrones Season 1 Characters Who Survived The Ending

Few characters from the pilot of Game of Thrones survived until the ending, but there were additional characters introduced in season 1 who made it through the finale of season 8. One of the significant characters, Samwell Tarly, was not introduced until episode 4 of season 1 and his storyline concluded in the series finale as the Grand Maester. Similarly, Bronn, Tyrion’s loyal mercenary friend, made his debut in episode 4 and managed to survive until the end, ultimately becoming the Lord of Highgarden and the Master of Coin for Bran Stark. In season 1, episode 4, Gendry Rivers was introduced when Ned Stark discovered that he was the illegitimate son of King Robert.

By the end of Game of Thrones, Gendry was legitimized as Gendry Baratheon and became the Lord of Storm’s End, although Arya rejected his marriage proposal. Robin Arryn, the young cousin of the Stark children who first appeared in season 1, episode 5, also survived throughout the entire series as the Lord of the Eyrie. While Drogon was technically depicted as a dragon egg in the pilot, he and his siblings were not born until the finale of season 1.

Will Any Surviving Game Of Thrones Characters Get Spin-Offs?

After the demise of Rhaegal, Viseryion, and their maternal figure, Daenerys, in the eighth season of Game of Thrones, Drogon emerged as the sole surviving dragon. In the series finale, he sorrowfully carried his mother's lifeless body back to Essos. Other characters from the first season of Game of Thrones, such as Ilyn Payne, Hot Pie, and the enigmatic Jaquen H'Ghar (also known as the Faceless Man utilizing his pseudonym), still leave uncertainty regarding their ultimate fates. It is highly probable that Jaquen H'Ghar continues his guardianship of the House of Black and White in Braavos.

House of the Dragon marks the debut of the first Game of Thrones spinoff on the small screen. However, given the immense popularity of GoT and the vast written content by George R.R. Martin, one wonders if any surviving characters could secure their own show. Serving as a prequel to GoT, House of the Dragon is set almost two centuries prior to the events depicted in its parent series. It chronicles the tumultuous reign of House Targaryen on the Iron Throne. Consequently, there are no appearances by Game of Thrones characters (although a theory suggests the potential inclusion of Melisandre), and any links to the original series solely reside in the names of the noble houses.

There have been numerous speculations and discussions regarding potential spinoff series for Game of Thrones. However, only one has progressed further: a spinoff showcasing Jon Snow. HBO has officially confirmed that they are in the early stages of developing a Jon Snow spinoff, with Kit Harrington reprising his popular role. If the show comes to fruition, it is likely that other important surviving characters from Game of Thrones may also appear. Rumors suggest that this limited series will be set after the events of GoT, exploring Jon's life beyond the Wall.

Although not currently in development, many fans are eager for an Arya Stark spinoff series, chronicling her adventures beyond Westeros. Arya has been a beloved character right from the start, making her an intriguing choice for a spinoff. Other Game of Thrones spinoffs are also in progress at HBO. This includes the Sea Snake series, which follows the exciting endeavors of Corlys Velaryon from House of the Dragon. Additionally, there is a prequel series titled Ten Thousand Ships, set 1,000 years prior to GoT, focusing on Princess Nymeria and the founding of Dorne. However, as of now, the Jon Snow spinoff remains the only potential series centered around characters who spanned from the show's beginning to its conclusion.

Which House Of The Dragon Characters Will Survive?

Content must be written in English:

The George R.R. Martin story, unlike Game of Thrones, was completed before the series was released. As a result, a simple search can reveal who survives and who does not in the Dance of the Dragons. The upcoming Targaryen civil war in House of the Dragon showcases the greens and the blacks fighting for Aegon II and Rhaenyra's claims to the throne, respectively, resulting in numerous battles. While season 1 of House of the Dragon primarily focuses on the war's build-up, the series is just beginning. If the series follows the prescribed storyline, very few characters will survive, potentially even fewer than in Game of Thrones.

Alicent Hightower is the first character who survives House of the Dragon. After the war, she is confined by Ser Tyland Lannister and spends the rest of her days descending into madness. Rhaenyra, on the other hand, perishes, but her and Daemon's eldest son, Aegon III, survives and takes the Iron Throne. Although this is what happens in the book, his character has been made younger for House of the Dragon, making the final outcome uncertain. Lord Corlys Velaryon also survives the Dance of the Dragons, but his loyalty to the blacks fluctuates constantly during the civil war.

He eventually becomes one of Aegon III's regents until his death. Lord Larys Strong, known for his eccentric foot fetish, manages to survive the war by not fully aligning himself with either side. Ultimately, it is Larys who poisons and kills Aegon II. However, this act of regicide does not go unpunished, as Cregan Stark executes him for the crime. Lastly, Viserys III, the only surviving member of Rhaenyra's bloodline, also manages to survive the tumultuous Dance of the Dragons. Eventually, Viserys III serves as Hand of the King to his brother Aegon III. Many characters meet their demise in House of the Dragon, while surprisingly, more manage to survive in Game of Thrones.