Game of Thrones may have ended its run in 2019—and, perhaps, lost some of its credibility as a television masterpiece due to its hurried conclusion—but the characters populating the show remain as beloved as ever. In fact, it wouldn't even be a stretch to call a few of them iconic, given their influence on pop culture at large.
Not every fan has the same taste in fictional characters; some select theirs based on kindness and amiability, while others relate to those who are loyal and heroic. The issue of subjectivity comes into play when it comes to audience favorites, but there will always be characters who are generally better liked than their on-screen counterparts.
10 Bronn's Cheerful Charms Contrast With His Cutthroatness
Bronn acknowledges that social and class distinctions in Westeros are unlikely to disappear, regardless of who occupies the Iron Throne. He shows no bias when it comes to making fun of people, like telling Oberyn that he "killed the right people" in order to become a knight.
In another instance, he blatantly states that Jaime prefers the company of blonde women, a snide and painfully obvious implication. Bronn's lack of pretense is rather rough around the edges, but it's what makes him such a fun character to root for.
9 Lady Olenna's Sass Is Scathing Beyond Measure
Lady Olenna represents the legions of fans who despise the villainous House Lannister—every insult, every snub is carefully calibrated to each of her targets. She causes Cersei exceptional discomfort, taking great pleasure from her suffering.
And for good reason, given how Cersei disposes of the Tyrells. When Olenna reveals herself to be Joffrey's assassin, she guarantees that his mother learns of the truth, that too from Jaime. She is an old woman, perhaps, but has never once exhibited a hint of frailty.
8 Jon Snow, The Warrior Who Never Yields His Principles
Most fantasy narratives, whether television or tabletop, have that one character whose moral code is inflexible regardless of how far they are stretched by external forces. With his indestructible integrity and desire for harmony over conflict, Jon Snow is a classic D&D Paladin (except without the spellcasting).
He relies so much on his own honesty that it gets him killed, although he is resurrected soon after. Jon's fanbase rivals those of Daenerys and Arya, which more than illustrates his popularity.
7 Jaime Takes The Effort Towards Redemption
Jaime technically becomes the first antagonist in the series when he pushes a child off a window, nearly killing him—all to safeguard a highly inflammatory secret. He causes more problems than he solves, the latter category filled with mostly perfunctory attempts at basic decency.
And yet, meeting with Brienne changes Jaime's life and his worldview, helping him reorganize his priorities. The point he breaks it off with Cersei, in order to assist in the war on Winter, is when he obtains a small measure of redemption, despite later returning to his sister. Audiences especially appreciated him knighting Brienne.
6 Daenerys Targaryen Is The Mother Of Dragons
Before her common sense and common decency deteriorated, Daenerys' vision was shared by a large fraction of the fandom. Two items in particular: her relatively bloodless freedom movements, and her relationship with the only three dragons to be born in over a century.
Daenerys cows her opponents into submission, by tact or by terror, eventually ending up with the single most powerful military force in the known world, all features that inspire respect and admiration. It's unfortunate that her arc ends on a different note.
5 Brienne Is The Noblest Knight Of Them All
Brienne's experiences with society have been far from positive: some folk deride her for not being "womanly" enough, and others imply that she's too womanly to be a good fighter. There's no victory to be had in sexist argument loops, so Brienne takes the reins of fate in her hands and makes her own success.
She is arguably the noblest character in Game of Thrones, as much for her physical prowess as for her honor and gallantry. More than anything else, Brienne is relatable, her personality is realistic, and her struggles are convincing.
4 Sansa Stark's Journey Is The Most Transformative
Sansa's earliest dream—to become a "proper lady" with "feminine virtues"— is shattered to pieces after her father's unforeseen execution. The illusion doesn't strip away all at once, but gradually over time, with more and more real-life experiences.
Sansa doesn't entirely give up on her aspirations, though, ensuring that she will be the one to rule the seceded North from Winterfell. Her character development path is steep and littered with roadblocks, but Sansa's stubborn determination to reach the pinnacle of House Stark is why she's a fan favorite.
3 Tyrion Lannister's Intelligence Is Unparalleled
Tyrion might have to play second fiddle to Lady Olenna in the flippant banter department, but his diplomatic skillset is far more diverse than his wit. Audiences have consistently ranked him as a top character; with Tyrion's popularity dependent on a combination of intense suffering and his reaction to it.
He is forced a terrible hand, but the artistry with which he spins his luck around makes him an incredibly charming character. Tyrion can't be held back or held down, not even by forces that are theoretically invincible.
2 Cersei Lannister's Antics Camouflage Her Cunning Nature
Cersei crosses so many boundaries that it's hard to keep track, but the fact remains that she is one of the most dangerous entities in the show. She is sharp as a tack, devising complex schemes to simultaneously execute hundreds of political threats.
However, she fails to predict Tommen's response to Margaery's death, suggesting that either Cersei's ideas have limitations or that she simply doesn't care about the outcome. She's a multi-layered individual who fans love, and, more importantly, love to hate.
1 Arya Stark Is The Savior Of Westeros
Arya Stark probably has as many fans as Westeros has people, considering how smoothly her scrappy origin story merges with the terrifying (and competent) assassin she inevitably turns into.
She is, for all intents and purposes, a revolution unto herself—slashing her way from challenge to challenge with the force of a typhoon. Besides, with her assassination of the Night King, it is Arya who saves Westeros, and possibly the whole world. That alone is more than enough to earn her the appreciation she deserves.
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