Game of Thrones ended its run in 2019, losing some of its credibility as a television masterpiece due to its hurried conclusion. But the Game of Thrones cast remains as beloved as ever. The best GoT characters have easily secured their places as pop culture legends, with at least one spinoff in the near future.

That said, 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 or 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 the rest of the Game of Thrones cast.

Updated by Jordan Iacobucci on February 23, 2023: With several more Game of Thrones spinoff series on the way, including the rumored Jon Snow show, the franchise is far from fading, even nearly five years after the flagship series aired its controversial finale. As such, many Game of Thrones characters remain near and dear to viewers' hearts.

20 Khal Drogo Was a Powerful but Upright Leader

When Khal Drogo was introduced in the pilot episode of Game of Thrones, fans didn't really enjoy his presence. Despite actor Jason Momoa's universal popularity, viewers hated watching a helpless character like Daenerys forcibly wedded to him.

However, Drogo soon began revealing his gentler side, allowing both Dany and the audience to fall in love with him. His popularity shot through the roof when he decided to execute Viserys, even if it was in an excessively brutal manner. In any case, Drogo would have likely been an ever greater fan-favorite had he not perished in the Season 1 finale, so having less time with the character lands him at the bottom of the list.

19 Margaery Tyrell Was a Political Mastermind

The Tyrell family was invested in the political drama that gripped the various ruling houses of Westeros in the original series. While Olenna Tyrell continued to subtly play politics well into her old age, her granddaughter Margaery Tyrell was just getting started.

However, Margaery Tyrell was an expert at adapting to the ever-changing ruling structure of Westeros. She won over fans with her ability to acclimate to any situation. As a queen, she was far better than Cersei, even if some of her benevolent actions were done in self-service. She was one of the few who could deal with Joffrey Baratheon, showcasing her political ability before her death in the sixth season.

18 Ned Stark Was Honorable but Naive

It became clear early on that no Game of Thrones character was safe. Eddard "Ned" Stark was the head of the Northern family who shared a close relationship with his wife and children. He raised his family to be honorable rulers of their people, which earned House Stark many fans.

Unfortunately, Ned Stark was plagued by misfortune like the rest of the Starks. Ned's hunt for the truth about King Robert Baratheon's children and the true heir to the crown quickly made Ned a target for the Lannisters. Fans were crushed when one of their early favorites was decapitated by the new King Joffrey, sparking a devastating war.

17 Jorah Mormont Was a Noble Knight in the End

The disgraced knight Jorah Mormont found a new path when he began assisting Daenerys Stormborn in her efforts to acclimate to the Dothraki. While he began as a spy for Varys to keep tabs on the last Targaryens, he soon fell for the Mother of Dragons. Mormont became her most loyal follower, though he was forced to earn her trust on more than one occasion.

It was his dedication to Daenerys that made Jorah Mormont such a popular character. His family didn't have as large of a presence as some of the best Game of Thrones characters, but the Mormonts still maintained a loyal fanbase.

16 Samwell Tarly Was a Loyal Friend and a Good Man

There weren't always a lot of good, moral characters to root for among the Game of Thrones cast. However, Samwell Tarly shone as a member of the Blackwatch and Jon Snow's best friend. He wasn't the best warrior, and he spent a lot of time studying to become a Maester. But he was a loyal friend who discovered important information that helped a lot of people.

Samwell also earned some fans due to the fact that he was the first Game of Thrones character to actually kill a White Walker. Tarly also stood up to the right people when he needed to, earning his role in the new kingdom as well as a place in fans' hearts.

15 Lord Varys May Have Had Questionable Alliances, But Fans Loved the Character

Lord Varys, also known as the Spider, was the Master of Whisperers, which made him a knowledgeable information broker for the rulers of Westeros. While he was initially hard to read due to his questionable allegiances, it became clear that Varys truly served the people of the realm.

The Spider worked for those without any power, and every action he took was made with their greater good in mind. It was an endearing quality that soon led to him becoming one of the best Game of Thrones characters. However, fans weren't very happy when Lord Varys died just before the series finale, stating that he should have survived till the end. Still, if a character's death can cause such outrage, it shows just how popular Varys truly was. That being said, there are several other characters fans loved even more than they did Varys, which earns him a low-end spot in the rankings.

14 Tywin Lannister Was a Fun Character for Fans to Dislike

A brilliant political mind and one of the most ruthless Game of Thrones characters, Tywin Lannister was a bad man through and through. He treated his family poorly and ruled over his house with fear. However, he was such a magnetic character that viewers couldn't help but admire him.

From his interactions with Arya at Harrenhal to the way he expertly handled the cruel and capricious Joffrey, Tywin always managed to captivate viewers. This was despite his cruelty and disdain for anything that could possibly bring shame to House Lannister, which he had mistakenly thought to be Tyrion. Ultimately, as terrible a person as he was, fans love to hate Tywin Lannister.

13 Sandor Clegane Was Rough Around the Edges,But He Had A Heart of Gold

Even though he started out as Prince Joffrey's bodyguard and Mycah's murderer (making him the first entry on Arya's List), The Hound became a popular character throughout Game of Thrones' eight seasons. Not only did he save Sansa, but he also became a kind of protector to Arya, which led her to remove his name from her list.

The Hound had little charm, but he made up for it with a traumatic backstory and a penchant for hilariously foul language. Although the much-awaited faceoff between the Clegane brothers turned out to be overhyped, fans were happy to see Sandor get his revenge against the monstrous Mountain.

12 Grey Worm Rose To Become a Star General

If anyone other than Daenerys had acquired the Unsullied, Grey Worm would have likely remained unaware of his potential. Luckily for him, he got the opportunity to exercise his strategic brilliance on numerous occasions. Grey Worm was a significant member of Daenerys' army and was responsible for dozens of victories, both major and minor.

Fans had always loved this unassuming character, but his affection for Missandei made Grey Worm so much more likable. Although he turned rather vengeful after Daenerys' assassination, viewers still remember how polite and charming he used to be. Surprisingly compelling character arcs like Grey Worm's are part of what makes Game of Thrones one of the best television series of all time.

11 Lady Olenna Tyrell Was a Secret Political Genius

Lady Olenna represents the legions of fans who despise the villainous House Lannister – every insult and snub is carefully calibrated to each of her targets. She caused Cersei exceptional discomfort, taking great pleasure from her suffering.

All of Lady Olenna's behavior is for good reason, however, given how Cersei disposed of the Tyrells. When Olenna revealed herself to be Joffrey's assassin, she guaranteed that his mother learned of the truth from Jaime. She is an old woman, perhaps, but she never once exhibited a hint of frailty or indecisiveness.

10 Oberyn Martell Was an Underrated Character

Played by Pedro Pascal, Oberyn Martell was an enormous presence when he was first introduced to the Game of Thrones cast in season four. His charm, good looks, visible bisexuality, and devotion to avenging his sister's death made him an instant favorite among viewers.

More importantly, very few people had the gall to challenge the Lannisters, making the Red Viper's brazen defiance extremely satisfying. Sadly, Oberyn was destined to die at the hands of Ser Gregor Clegane in one of the most brutal deaths of the entire series. Long after his death, Oberyn still remains one of the best Game of Thrones characters. In fact, despite having only appeared in seven episodes of the series, Oberyn Martell's popularity earns him the mid-ranked slot on the list.

9 Cersei Lannister Was a Relatable Villain

Cersei crossed so many boundaries that it's hard to keep track, but the fact remains that she is one of the most dangerous Game of Thrones characters. Cersei Lannister was unpredictable and sharp as a tack, devising complex schemes to simultaneously execute hundreds of political threats.

At the same time, Cersei has made some of the most foolish mistakes imaginable. For instance, she failed to predict Tommen's response to Margaery's death, suggesting that 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.

8 Tormund Giantsbane Turned Out To Be a True Ally

A Free Folk warrior and an intimidating man, Tormund was Jon Snow's enemy when first introduced. The red-haired raider threatened him constantly, not believing that Jon had actually defected to his side.

Tormund's blunt personality and hilarious lines quickly made him a fan-favorite Game of Thrones character, especially when he set his eyes on Brienne of Tarth and became instantly smitten with her. Tormund's infatuation with Brienne was an excellent source of humor in the show, particularly when juxtaposed with how downright terrifying he can be during combat.

7 Brienne of Tarth Was Loyal, Brave, and True

Brienne's experiences with society were far from positive: some folk derided her for not being "womanly" enough, and others implied that she was too womanly to be a good fighter. There's no victory to be had in sexist argument loops, so Brienne took the reins of fate in her hands to make her own success.

Brienne is arguably one of the noblest characters 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. Fans were delighted to see her get with Jaime in Season 8, and deeply disappointed when they separated for good. In the end, Brienne was loyal above most other characters, earning her a spot in fans' hearts forever.

6 Sansa Stark Grew on Audiences

Sansa's earliest dream – to become a "proper lady" with "feminine virtues" – was shattered to pieces after her father's unforeseen execution. The illusion didn't strip away all at once, but gradually over time and with more and more real-life experiences.

Sansa didn't entirely give up on her aspirations, though, ensuring that she would be the one to rule the seceded North from Winterfell. Sansa's character development path is steep and littered with roadblocks, but her stubborn determination to reach the pinnacle of House Stark is why she's a fan favorite.

5 Jon Snow Was the Only Real Hero in Westeros

Most fantasy narratives have that one character whose moral code is unflexible, 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.

Jon relied so much on his own honesty that it got him killed, although he was resurrected soon after. Jon's fanbase rivals those of Daenerys and Arya, which more than illustrates his popularity. The fact that he alone is receiving a spin-off series also highlights his status as a great Game of Thrones character. Despite his renown, however, there were times, especially near the end of the series, that Jon made some questionable decisions that push him in the upper-middle of the rankings.

4 Jaime Lannister Almost Had a Terrific Redemption Arc

Jaime Lannister became the first Game of Thrones antagonist when he pushed a child off a window, nearly killing him – all to safeguard a highly inflammatory secret. He caused more problems than he solved, barely making perfunctory attempts at basic decency.

However, meeting with Brienne changed Jaime's life and his worldview, helping him reorganize his priorities. Breaking things off with Cersei in order to assist in the war on Winter earned him a small measure of redemption, even if he returned to his sister in the end. Audiences especially appreciated him knighting Brienne before their final battles.

3 Daenerys Targaryen Was Born To Be Queen

Before her common sense and common decency deteriorated, Daenerys' vision was shared by a large fraction of the Game of Thrones fandom. Her relatively bloodless freedom movements and her relationship with the only three dragons to be born in over a century made her a great addition to the Game of Thrones cast.

Daenerys cowed her opponents into submission by tact or by terror, eventually ending up with the single most powerful military force in the known world. These were all features that inspire respect and admiration that she shared with other members of the Targaryen family across the timeline. It's unfortunate that her arc ended on a different note.

2 Tyrion Lannister Was the Greatest Mind in Westeros

Tyrion might have to play second fiddle to Lady Olenna in the flippant banter department, but his diplomatic skills are far more diverse than his wit. Audiences have consistently ranked Tyrion as one of the best Game of Thrones characters, with his popularity coming from a combination of intense suffering and his reaction to it.

Tyrion was dealt a terrible hand, but the artistry with which he spun his luck around made him an incredibly charming character. Tyrion can't be held back or held down, not even by forces that are theoretically invincible. Tyrion's scenes end up being the most fun to revisit in a Game of Thrones rewatch, outshining even some of the most beloved members of the already impressive cast.

1 Arya Stark Saved Westeros in the End

Arya Stark probably has as many fans as Westeros has people, considering how smoothly her scrappy origin story merges with the terrifying 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, Arya saved Westeros and possibly the whole world. That alone is more than enough to make her one of the best Game of Thrones characters, beyond even Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen. Arya's journey over the course of the series was also fun to watch, and fans would really love a spin-off detailing her future adventures. Given everything Arya went through, and the fact that despite it all, she not only survived, but managed to completely define herself role as a person as she'd been trying to do since season one, is proof that Arya Stark is Game of Thrones' most beloved character.