Game Of Thrones is one of the most popular fantasy series ever. While Game Of Thrones may have ended disappointingly, the grip it has on the general public remains. With multiple spinoffs and a musical on the way, it appears that the world of Westeros is here for the long haul.
One question that viewers continue to ask about Game Of Thrones is just how old the characters were meant to be. Fans of the A Song Of Ice And Fire books will certainly have noticed several characters appeared far older than their book counterparts.
10 The Starks Have Aged Up
The House of Stark is one of the key players in the politics of Westeros. Beginning as a large family, their numbers soon dwindle as GOT kills off more characters. Ned Stark begins GOT in his early 40s (aged up from being mid-30s in the books). Catelyn’s age is more ambiguous, but fans assume she is a similar age to her husband, Ned. Sadly, neither character make it to the age of 50.
The Stark children have all been aged up from the books. Robb ages from 14 to 17, Sansa from 11 to 13, Arya from 9 to 11, Bran from 7 to 10, and Rickon from 3 to 6. This means that Robb dies at around 19/20 and Rickon dies at 11 years of age. In GOT‘s final season, Sansa is 20, Arya is 18, and Bran, now the Three-Eyed-Raven, is 17.
9 The Lannister Family Has Also Aged Up
Following Robert Baratheon’s death, the Lannisters retain control of the throne for most of GOT (technically it remains in the Baratheon name for much of this time). Tywin Lannister is approximately 55 in the books but has been aged up to his 60s for GOT. Tywin dies on the toilet at age 67. Jaime and Cersei are aged up from 31 to 36 for the first season. The pair end GOT at age 43. Tyrion is aged from 24 to 32, ending GOT at age 39.
Although Baratheons in name, Cersei’s children were fathered by her twin brother Jaime. Their eldest son, Joffrey starts GOT at 16 and dies at his wedding when he’s 19. Myrcella begins GOT at age 10 and dies at age 14. Tommen appears to age up in GOT, changing actors between seasons 2 and 4. Tommen would likely have been around 8-years-old at the beginning of GOT, dying at age 14.
8 Daenerys Targaryen And Jon Snow
Another case of characters being aged up for the small screen is Daenerys Targaryen. Aged 13 in the book series, Daenerys is a child bride married off to Khal Drogo. GOT ages her up to 16/17 for the beginning of season 1. By the final season, Daenerys would be around 24 years of age.
Changing the time period between Robert’s rebellion and GOT’s beginning means that Jon Snow has also been aged up. Like Daenerys, Jon would also be around 24 by the final season, starting the story at 16/17.
7 Theon Greyjoy Is Younger Than His Book Counterpart
Unlike other characters, Theon Greyjoy is younger on GOT. While 18/19 in the books, Theon starts GOT at age 16/17. He is around the same age as Jon, Robb, and Daenerys. Like many other characters, Theon meets an early end and dies at age 24.
Asha Greyjoy has both her name and age changed for HBO’s fantasy series. Now called Yara, she is in her late 20s. As one of GOT‘s few survivors, she can hopefully go on to live a long and happy life. Theon and Yara’s villainous uncle, Euron Greyjoy, is presumably in his late 30s in his first introduction.
6 Only One Baratheon Heir Survived
King Robert Baratheon is 42 (but 35 in the books) when he visits Ned Stark in Winterfell to become Hand to the King. He dies towards to end of the first season. Stannis and Renly are also aged up from their book counterparts. Stannis, who is 33 in the books is now 40. Renly has aged from 20 to 27. Neither characters see the final season. Renly dies soon after the war begins and Stannis dies in his mid-to-late 40s.
Robert’s illegitimate children are promptly killed on orders from Cersei following his death. Only one manages to survive this culling. Gendry, at age 24 in the final season, survives. Shireen is only a young girl when she is burnt at the stake by her father, Stannis, and Melisandre, though her age is never stated.
5 Brienne Of Tarth’s Age Changed Drastically
Out of all the characters on GOT, Brienne of Tarth is aged up the most from her book counterpart. Her characters ages by about 15 years. Introduced at 17 in the books, she is 32 upon her first appearance, and 39 by GOT’s final season.
Most fans can agree that bringing Brienne’s age up was the right call. Even the most talented of actors would struggle to portray Brienne of Tarth, a headstrong and loyal woman, as well as Gwendoline Christie.
4 Melisandre Is One Of The Oldest Game Of Thrones Characters
Melisandre is far older than she looks. Although her age has been kept deliberately vague, she is certainly over 400 years old. She maintains a youthful appearance until she takes her necklace off. Her necklace is designed to hide Melisandre’s true age and uses magic to maintain her life. When her necklace is removed, she dies of exposure. Following the revelation of her age, many viewers realized this makes her one of the oldest characters on GOT, alongside the Night King and the Three-Eyed-Raven.
3 The Tyrells Were A Fan-Favorite Family
The House of Tyrell was perhaps one of the most-loved families on GOT, and with good reason. The matriarch of the House, Lady Olenna Tyrell is 69 in season 1 and dies at age 74. This makes her one of the longest-lived mortal characters. Sadly for her, both her children and grandchildren have been killed off by the time of her death. A fan-favorite, it was ultimately Olenna who was responsible for the death of Joffrey Baratheon.
Olenna’s grandchildren, Margaery and Loras Tyrell, were both aged up from the book to the small screen. At 14/15 in the books, Loras begins GOT at 23, while his sister is 18. By the time of their deaths, Loras would presumably be in his late 20s while Margaery would be early-to-mid 20s.
2 Petyr ‘Littlefinger’ Baelish
Another character who has been aged up is Petyr ‘Littlefinger’ Baelish. In his late 20s/early 30s in the books, he is around 35 at GOT’s beginning. This makes him either 41 or 42 at the time of this death. Petyr was a manipulative character and spent much of GOT switching his loyalty. Ultimately, his demise came at the hands of the Starks. Petyr was responsible for a number of the Stark’s death.
1 Oberyn Martell And Ellaria Sand
At the time of his death, at the hands of The Mountain in season 4, Oberyn Martell would have been around 42 years old. Ellaria’s age is ultimately unknown. She appears to be a few years younger than her lover, Oberyn. Following his death, Ellaria and their illegitimate daughters seek revenge against those they hold responsible, namely Cersei Lannister. Ellaria is presumed dead at the end of GOT but her fate is unconfirmed.
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