However audiences might feel about the last season ofGame of Thrones, one thing is for sure: the show had great female characters during its run. Although some didn’t get the arc they deserved, and some were killed off before the show was halfway done, fans still remember them fondly. TheGame of Throneswomen vary in strength and personality; thus, it’s difficult to rate them just on likability, as many of the most despicable characters are the best-written.For the characters ofGame of Thrones, it’s not just about how likable someone is, but how deep they are too.
With HBO having announced anotherGame of Thronesspin-off coming to the small screen, there’s no doubt that the show is among the new millennium’s most important TB efforts. A large reason for the show’s success was its large cast of memorable and three-dimensional female characters, each a proactive player in the story that made it far more complex and engaging. And while all were noteworthy, some were far more nuanced and compelling.
Game Of Thrones
30. The Sand Snakes
Played by Keisha Castle-Hughes, Jessica Henwick, and Rosabell Laurenti Sellers
Themuch beloved Prince of Dorne Oberyn Martellhad eight bastard daughters, collectively known as the Sand Snakes. Following his death, his three eldest daughters, Obara, Nymeria, and Tyene, joined his paramour, Elaria Sand, in killing Princess Myrcella Baratheon, and then Oberyn’s brother, Doran, and his nephew, Trystane. They then attempted to rule Dorne and side with Daenerys Targaryen when she invaded Westeros, but were killed by Cersei Lannister and Euron Greyjoy.
The show attempts to portray the Sand Snakes as a trio of warrior women committed to vengeance and restoring honor to Dorne. Unfortunately, a combination of terrible writing, inconsistent motivations, and abysmal dialogue make them some of the most annoying characters in the show.The best that can be said about them is that they had a few cute scenes of sibling banter, and their deaths were cathartic.
29. Septa Mordane
Played by Susan Brown
When Eddard Stark married Catelyn Tully, she broughtthe Faith of the Sevento Winterfell, and ensured her daughters would be instructed in the faith alongside the teachings of the Old Gods. She assigned Septa Mordane to educate her daughters on the customs of southern nobility, though she only found success with Sansa, as Arya had no interest in courtly affairs. She accompanied Sansa to King’s Landing when Eddard was made Hand of the King, but sadly lost her life with the rest of Eddard’s servants when the Lannisters staged their coup.
Mordane is the show’s first representative of the Faith of the Seven, and compared to her predecessors, she’s also one of the religion’s more level-headed individuals. She did her duties diligently and always tried her best to help Sansa through her emotional problems. Her last act was to protect Sansa: while she hid in her room, Mordane allowed herself to be taken by the Lannister guards,showing the full extent of her loyalty to House Stark.
28. Lady Crane
Played by Essie Davis
When news of the deaths of King Joffrey Baratheon and Lord Tywin Lannister crossed the Narrow Sea, an acting troupe in Braavos were quick to capitalize on it and produced The Bloody Hand. One of the show’s principal actors is Lady Crane, who plays Queen Cersei Lannister, though unbeknownst to her, one of her co-stars wants her position so badly that she contacts the Faceless Men to kill her. They send Arya Stark to do the deed, but she refuses after getting to know Lady Crane.
Lady Crane’s time on the show was brief, but she made the most of it thanks to her personality and her small but pivotal role in Arya’s storyline.She reminded Arya of her compassion, which helped her break free of the Faceless Men, and that the world is a stage with many different roles waiting to be played. She also acted as a mother figure for Arya during her darkest time, which makes her murder at the hands of the Waif more tragic.
27. Septa Unella
Played by Hannah Waddingham
As the War of the Five Kings ravaged Westeros,religious extremists called the Sparrowsflock to King’s Landing to purge it of sin. Septa Unella was one of their most prominent members: as a leading Septa, she was tasked with badgering Cersei and Margery to confess their sins, and famously chanted “Shame” when Cersei made her walk of shame. Cersei got her revenge after she blew up the Sept of Baelor: she captured Unella and left her at the mercy of the undead Ser Gregor Clegane to be tortured slowly.
Unella was an effective second in command to the High Sparrow. She had a commanding presence whenever she was on screen, and took delight in seeing sinners receive their dues.Hannah Waddingham’s performance makes you hate her from the beginning, with how holier than though she holds herself, and the harsh, condescending tone when talking to Cersei and Margery.
26. The Waif
Played by Faye Marsay
When Arya arrives at the House of Black and White, she is educated by a man wearing the face of Jaqen H’ghar and a mysterious woman called the Waif. Despite Arya’s insistence that she is here to become No One, the Waif says she is unworthy because her reasons for joining are selfish. Eventually,Arya betrays the House of Black and White, and the Waif is tasked with hunting her down.
The Waif is meant to be a foil to Arya and a wall to surpassas she learns all she needs to be a master assassin. Physically, she’s a force to be reckoned with, being nigh unstoppable in melee combat and skilled enough at deception to get people to lower their guard with a simple tragic backstory. That said, she also comes across as hypocritical, since she calls out Arya for her hesitance to commit, yet the Waif seems to take things way too personally for someone who is No One.
25. Myranda
Played by Charlotte Hope
Game of Throneshasseveral incredible minor villains, but few are as memorable or despicable as Myranda. The kennel master’s daughter and Ramsay’s lover, Myranda is his closest ally, aiding him in his tortures and exhibiting as much love for carnage as him.
Charlotte Hopeplayed Myranda from Season 3 until her death in Season 6. The character was devious and loathsome, and Hope relished every minute of wickedness she received.Myranda was never a major character, but she was a scene-stealing villainand one of the most striking and effective female characters inGame of Thrones.
24. Elaria Sand
Played by Indira Varma
Thefamiliar but underrated Indira Varmaplayed Ellaria Sand inGame of Thrones. Ellaria is Oberyn’s lover and the mother of four of his eight bastard daughters. She is fiercely loyal to him, relentlessly pursuing vengeance after he dies in Season 4. Ellaria kills Myrcella with a poisoned kiss before joining Daenerys in Season 6. She becomes Cersei’s prisoner in Season 7 and presumably dies during the destruction of King’s Landing in Season 8.
Ellaria is a divisive character. Killing Myrcella made her one of the show’s most hated characters, even if her quest for vengeance was justified. However, Ellaria remains an admirable figure, a passionate and devoted mother willing to cross every line to protect and avenge those she loves.
23. Selys Baratheon
Played by Tara Fitzgerald
Originally from House Florent in the Reach, Selys married Stannis Baratheon and lived with him on Dragonstone after his brother, Robert, became King of Westeros. Their marriage was cold and distant, especially because Selys suffered several miscarriages before the birth of their daughter, Shireen. When Stannis converts to the Lord of Light, Selys becomes a devout follower of this foreign religion.
Selys is a tragic example of the trappings of blind faith. While her devotion to the Lord of Light improved her opinion of Stannis, it was only because she saw him as the prophesiedPrince that was Promised, and she began to excuse terrible acts, like burning people alive, because nothing done in R’hllor’s name could be evil.Tara Fitzgerald’s performance is haunting, especially with how detached Selys becomes from the surrounding violence.
22. Lysa Arryn
Played by Kate Dickie
The younger sister of Catelyn Tully is a strong contender for one of theworst parents in Westeros. Following the death of her husband, Jon Arryn, Lysa rules the Vale of Arryn as the regent for her young son, Robin, who she coddles and still breastfeeds despite his age. Driven by her paranoia and unrequited love for Petyr Baelish, she remains isolated from wartorn Westeros, making her the perfect pawn for Littlefinger’s ambitions.
Kate Dickiedoes a wonderful job playing up Lysa’s insanity and selfish nature, which makes her an effective minor antagonist. While her devotion to protecting her son is admirable,she has forgotten House Tully’s words of “Family, Duty, Honor,“as she did nothing to help her brother Edmure during the war, and nearly killed her niece, Sansa, when she thought she was trying to steal Baelish from her. Because of this, Baelish pushed her to her death after telling her that he only ever loved her older sister.
Played by Octavia Alexandru and Kae Alexander
A member of the enigmatic Children of the Forest, Leaf was personally responsible for creating theNight King and his White Walkersto use against ancient humans who cut down their forests. Unfortunately, the White Walkers turned on the children and nearly wiped them out. The few who remained, including Leaf, pledged their service to the Three Eyed Raven, hoping to find a way to destroy the Night King and his army of undead.
Leaf was a small contribution to the show,but she went a long way in explaining how magic fits into Westeros' history.Despite her ancient feud with humans, she was willing to stand alongside them in the name of mutual survival and even sacrificed herself to allow the new Three Eyed Raven, Brandon Stark, to escape the Night King’s army. Of her two actors,Kae Alexander’s performance stood out more thanks to how mysterious and otherworldly she portrayed the character.
