When it comes to book-to-screen properties, the more popular the literary source material
becomes, the tougher it'll be to satisfy readers' imaginations of how characters look in the
screen adaptation.
Readers of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series have no doubt noticed
that HBO's Game of Thrones has taken some creative license when it comes to characters'
appearances, so here's what your favorite Westerosians would look like if they more
closely matched the author's imagination.
"We'll be here for some time."
Yara Greyjoy
To avoid potential confusion over Asha Greyjoy's name being so close to the Wildling Osha,
the show calls the Ironborn heroine Yara.
And that's not all that's different about her in the small screen take.
In the books, she's described as, quote, "lean and longlegged, with black hair cut short,
wind-chafed skin, strong sure hands, a dirk at her belt.
Her nose was too big and too sharp for her thin face, but her smile made up for it."
Instead of her smile being some selling point for Yara in Game of Thrones, however, it's
her sheer badassery that wins over her mateys in the show.
"F**k justice then we'll get revenge.
Drink."
Bran Stark
Seeing as Bran Stark is one of his family's most powerful children, you'd think the Game
of Thrones showrunners would be attentive to every detail of his description when casting
the kid.
"I've read the story a thousand times."
But rather than the brown eyes and hair he sports on the show, Bran is described in the
books as having the same auburn tresses and blue peepers that his mother's side, House
Tully, bore.
For as much money as the show has spent on stunning action sequences and sprawling set
pieces, you'd think they'd be able to spring for some colored contacts and a bottle of
hair dye… but alas.
Brienne of Tarth
Lady Brienne's no-nonsense personality comes through beautifully on-screen, no doubt about
it.
"If you're going to do it you might as well do it right."
But, on the visual end of things, there's a major difference between what's read and
what's seen on-screen.
In the books, she's described as being awkward and ugly and unable to attract a suitor, with
"broad and coarse" features like prominent, crooked teeth, freckles galore, swollen lips
and a battle-worn bulbous nose.
Actress Gwendoline Christie is simply too stunning to conceal, so it's no wonder Tormund
seems to carry a torch for her.
Daario Naharis
Considering Daario Naharis was compelling enough to catch the Mother of Dragons' eye
for a while, it's no wonder the showrunners decided against playing it by the book when
it came to his looks...
In Martin's text, he's described as having a beard, cut into three prongs and dyed blue,
the same color as his eyes, and curly hair that falls to his collar, and pointed mustachios
that are painted gold.
That might've made him an excellent entrant into a modern facial hair contest, but it
might not have blended well with the crowd in Meereen.
"I hope it brings you happiness."
Daenerys Targaryen
It might seem nitpicky to point out the few features that were lost in translation bringing
Daenerys Targaryen to the screen, considering all the fan favor Emilia Clarke's portrayal
has earned.
But... no one is perfect.
For starters, Dany is described as much younger in the books.
But considering how icky her forced marriage to Khal Drogo already was, it's a mercy to
make her a bit older on-screen.
What didn't have to change in the screen version was the violet shade of her eyes and the visible
hair loss that happened after she survived a night in the funeral pyre.
"We obviously didn't communicate clearly."
Euron Greyjoy
The show's depiction of Crow's Eye might be as off-putting as it needs to be, but it's
unfortunate that the show has ignored so much of what makes Euron intimidating.
On-screen, Uncle Euron resembles Yara and Theon strongly, but he should be a much scarier
figure with a near-otherworldly appearance.
"I am the storm, Brother."
According to the written form, Euron's hair and beard should be dark as a raven's feathers,
and he should bear a black leather patch over his left eye and sport bruised, blue lips
to indicate his addiction to that narcotic beverage he likes so well, shade of evening.
Sandor 'The Hound' Clegane
HBO's makeup department had their hands full with creating the web of burn scars that cover
so much of The Hound's face, but they still didn't go far enough to match the book's description
of his gnarled mug.
For starters, his scars are on the wrong side of his face, and he's supposed to be missing
an ear there too.
Also, he should be much skinnier, and his series of scars should've included a black
mass of leathery flesh that never quite recovered from the cruelest chapter of his life-long
sibling rivalry story.
"Come on you can do better."
Jorah Mormont
Ser Jorah isn't half-bad to look at on Game of Thrones, which leads some fans to hope
his love of Daenerys Targaryen won't always remain unrequited.
However, our favorite friend-zoned knight wouldn't be quite so dapper if the show stuck
to the book.
In the text, he's said to be the opposite of handsome, with "a neck and shoulders like
a bull, and coarse black hair that covers his arms and chest so thickly that there's
none left for his head."
Additionally, he would've been a bit bulkier and branded with a "demon's mask" tattoo on
his cheek, earned while being disobedient during temporary enslavement.
"All I've ever wanted was to serve you."
Ramsay Bolton
There's no doubt about it that Ramsay Bolton gave all-new meaning to the word bastard on
Game of Thrones, so there's really nothing to gripe about when it comes to Iwan Rheon's
portrayal of the more sadistic Mr. Snow.
"Oh, he's good.
Very good."
But for as well as Rheon captured Ramsay's terrible soul on-screen, he was still way
too good-looking for the part.
As it was written, Ramsay was an "ugly man" with big bones, sloped shoulders and ghostly
grey eyes.
He should've also had a mangier mop up top, a broader nose, and more pinched lips than
he did.
"You win."
Roose Bolton
The Lord of the Dreadfort was cunning, cruel, and as cold as the winter winds whipping through
Westeros, so the calculating nature of Roose Bolton wasn't lost on-screen.
However, he also doesn't look anything like the character of the books.
"I imagine you're familiar with the procedure?"
For starters, Bolton should have long black hair, pale eyes the color of mist, and a strangely
unlined face, despite his age.
His lips were also so thin that when he pressed them together they seemed to vanish altogether
like the ruthless plotter he was.
Theon Greyjoy
On the show, Theon went through hell as the prisoner of Ramsay Snow—but emerged from
his ordeal mostly unscathed on the surface -- well, except for the loss of his dignity
and dangly bits.
But in the books, the Bastard of the Dreadfort treated "Reek" much more harshly, aging the
youngest Greyjoy by 40 years and leaving Theon short several fingers, toes, and teeth by
the time he escapes.
To be true to the source material, Theon should've come away from the torturous experience with
whiter hair and much less meat on his bones.
"If you feel an itch."
Tyrion Lannister
There's no doubt that Tyrion's spirit, smarts, and resilience comes through from page to
screen in Game of Thrones, but he's definitely more attractive than the Imp of the books.
He should have a "squashed-in" face, and following the Battle of the Blackwater, only about half
of his nose.
His pale blond and black hair is a startling combination, as are his different-colored
eyes.
"Surely there's some good news lurking somewhere?"
Well, there is.
Despite these differences, Tyrion is still a total fan-favorite, and there doesn't seem
to be a booze shortage anywhere in Westeros just yet.
Tywin Lannister
As played by Charles Dance, Tywin Lannister cuts a very imposing figure on the show and
arrives as a near perfect replica of the tactical and tyrannical family patriarch.
"Because we have been told as much by the many experts who serve the realm by counseling
the king on matters about which he knows nothing."
Even so, his hair and beard were a bit off.
He should've had "stiff blond whiskers" that covered his cheeks, framing a stern face,
a bald head, a hard mouth.
Robb Stark
For the most part, Robb Stark of the novels came through to the screen just fine.
As he was written, the King in the North was an honorable tactician and had a bright future
ahead of him, and if he'd only made good on his oath to marry one of Walder Frey's daughters,
he just might've made it to the Iron Throne instead of facing the bloody fallout of the
Red Wedding.
"It's more complicated than that!
You know it is."
But there were a few facial differences to be found in the portrayal.
In the novels, he, like some of his siblings, has the Tullys' red hair, and bore a clean-shaven
face.
Jaime Lannister
The portrayal of Jaime Lannister as the one-handed kingslayer, whose only true romantic relationship
is with his own sister, is as icky and complicated as it should be.
"The things I do for love."
But there's one thing about his on-screen appearance that drives Martin's book readers
mad: his hair.
During the first two seasons, Jaime should have had long curly blonde hair and a clean
shave, but by season 6, he was supposed to look pretty unkempt, rather than boasting
the same military-ready grooming style he's always had.
Lancel Lannister
Lancel's appearance in early seasons was accurate for the most part, but much of what happens
to him after joining the Sparrows on the show is made up.
"Cousin Lancel, I hardly recognized you."
"My deepest sympathies."
Book Lancel takes severe wounds at the Battle of the Blackwater, which age him prematurely.
And while he still later gives up his lordship and new wife to join the Faith Militant, there's
no face carving action involved in the initiation ritual.
Barristan the Bold
While Barristan Selmy starts out looking about right, the show decided to skip out on his
shaggy days from the story.
When Barristan Selmy travels to Essos in order to join Daenerys' retinue, he's grown his
hair and beard long and goes by an alias—Arstan Whitebeard.
And his eyes should be bright blue rather than hazel, too.
Although Barristan eventually trims his hair and beard after revealing his true identity
to Daenerys, the show completely omitted this evolution in Barristan's appearance.
"I failed him."
Stannis Baratheon
The show's version of the middle Baratheon brother maintained Stannis' stern, uncompromising
demeanor—but he just doesn't look much like the Stannis of the books.
Perhaps the biggest issue is that Stephen Dillane looks significantly older than Robert
Baratheon actor Mark Addy.
He also should've had the Baratheon brown locks - with a bit of baldness on top -- along
with dark blue eyes, and far less wrinkles.
"Let no man claim ignorance as an excuse."
Melisandre
The choice of Carice van Houten for the role of Melisandre was a triumph by the casting
staff.
"I take no credit."
As described in the book, she has a heart-shaped face, long coppery hair, and red gowns that
move like flames as she walks.
The only thing that could be adjusted to match the books is changing her eye shade to amber
red instead of her natural blue.
Ned Stark
The king's hand, Eddard Stark was well liked by anyone not named Lannister in Game of Thrones'
first season, and he was also a pretty close match to what was described in the book's
account of the late House Stark patriarch.
"What book?"
As described by Martin, he had a soft voice and looked much older than 35, with a trimmed
beard and winter-wary expression.
However, to be perfectly on the nose with the original vision, he should've had longer,
darker hair and a salt-sprinkled beard.
Robert Baratheon
While King Robert was as brutish, bearded, and round as he was expected to be, there
were still a few things that stood out to some fans as departures from the text's descriptions
of the usurper.
Unlike the medium brown 'do Robert sported on-screen, he's supposed to have a much darker
shade of mane.
Additionally, Robert Baratheon would tower over most men, putting him near the height
of Hodor, while actor Mark Addy stands only 5'11" tall.
"They don't put that part in their songs."
Edmure Tully
Even though Edmure is the baby of the Tully family, he hardly resembles his sisters Catelyn
and Lysa on the show.
He also looks just as old as they do—when he actually should be in his late 20s or early
30s at the start of the novels.
A touch of auburn should've been added to his tresses, along with a fiery beard, to
make the character a little more distinguishable as a Tully brother.
"That's a fine thing."
The Mountain
He's gigantic, strong, and terrifying, but the Mountain that Rides has not been very
accurately depicted on the show.
Three different actors have played the Mountain in the show, and the one who's come closest
to the mark is Hafþór Björnsson, who's occupied the role since Season 4.
In the books, Gregor Clegane is described as being nearly eight feet tall and four hundred
pounds of pure muscle.
Björnsson certainly has the body-builder physique as described, but he still needs
a beefier build to match his literary counterpart, including arms as thick as tree trunks.
The Mountain also is supposed to have hair long enough to fall into his eyes, which doesn't
seem to hinder his battle skills in any way.
"Who am I fighting?"
"Does it matter?"
Syrio Forel
Among readers, as well as show-only fans, "dancing master" Syrio Forel is a favorite
secondary character.
But while fans of both mediums can agree on Syrio's awesomeness, book readers will be
quick to point out that there's one problem with Miltos Yeromelou in the role—his full
head of bushy, black hair.
In the books, the character was completely bald.
And although a criticism of that attribute might run counter to his philosophy …
"It is heavy as it needs to be."
He'd still look different if the character's image was canonical.
Ygritte
Although we can already predict what Ygritte would have to say about any criticism of her
screen depiction …
"You know nothin'."
There were still differences in the adaptation, including the fact that Rose Leslie is much
more beautiful than readers might've expected for the role.
As described in Martin's writings, Ygritte had tangled hair and a round peasant face,
a pug nose, slightly crooked teeth, and eyes that were too far apart.
Cersei Lannister
It's hard to imagine anyone else claiming the Iron Throne the way Lena Headey did as
Cersei Lannister, but there were some significant changes between the book version and what's
seen on the show.
In the novels, as she begins to drink constantly, she gains weight to the point she can no longer
fit into her old gowns.
She also had bright emerald eyes and a more striking shade of blonde in her hair.
Of course, the most important thing is that she's just as ruthless as anyone …
"I choose violence."
Samwell Tarly
Actor John Bradley has Sam's sweet sidekick demeanor down pat, but he doesn't bear a perfect
physical resemblance to the Samwell of the novels.
"I suppose that life is irregular."
The book version of Sam is clean-shaven, has light-colored eyes, and weighs a good bit
more than Bradley does.
Littlefinger
There's very little wrong with what Aidan Gillen has been doing throughout his arc as
the slippery Petyr Baelish.
His pot-stirring personality has been in full force since the get-go.
But there's one feature of the book's version that's been noticeably absent from his appearance:
his signature pointy beard.
At this point, we're literally splitting hairs here, but it's still a difference, so it counts.
"Every ambitious move is a gamble."
Oberyn Martell
Pedro Pascal was an inspired choice to play Oberyn Martell.
That said, his appearance on the show wasn't 100% accurate to how he's described in the
books.
While he has the same swarthy olive complexion and black eyes, he lacks the longer hair and
widow's peak the Red Viper of Dorne should have.
Guess wigs weren't in the budget either.
"How did that came to pass?"
Missandei
As amazing as Nathalie Emmanuel is, the show really blundered here by aging Missandei up
so drastically—just to give viewers a new romance storyline between her and Grey Worm.
Additionally, the physical description of Missandei, her home island of Naath and their
pacifist religion really seems to point to a southeast Asian influence.
She also should've had gold eyes and a flatter face.
But again, it's the aging up factor that doesn't sit well with this sidekick.
Jon Snow
At this point, Kit Harington is Jon Snow and no one else comes to mind to match the role
better.
"All my life I wanted to be Jon Stark."
And while it's taken him some time to grow into the wispy beard, his familiar facial
hair has come through to satisfy said element of the book.
And yes, even his curly tresses technically comport with the story, contrary to popular
belief, because a close inspection of George R.R. Martin's books reveals the texture and
length of his hair is never explicitly spelled out.
The differences that do remain, however.
He should have dark grey eyes, rather than brown, and he should appear a little younger
and with lighter locks than what we've seen so far.
Arya Stark
Maisie Williams is as close to perfect for the part of Arya as you can get, with the
correct color hair, eyes, and solemn face.
However, in the spirit of pointing out even the smallest differences...
"Nothing is just nothing."
It's worth noting that HBO made the decision to age up all the Stark children by a few
years for the television series.
So, she should really be nine years old in season one, not 12.
Also, while it's debatable if book-Arya was ever really a "Horseface," it's probably that
her face should be lengthened just a bit to justify the cruel nickname of her youth.
Lysa Arryn
Many book readers were extremely surprised when we got our first glance of Lysa Arryn
at the Eyrie and not just because she had a full-grown boy still nursing from her.
"You will watch your tongue."
In the novels, Lysa is puffy and overweight from a succession of failed pregnancies and
miscarriages.
Kate Dickie nails the strident, jealous and paranoid behavior of Lysa, but there's no
way anyone would ever call her "overweight."
Meanwhile, her color should be light blue, rather than green.
Gilly
While actress Hannah Murray portrays the innocence of Craster's daughter quite well, the 27-year-old
actress will never look like the fresh-faced teen Sam's gal pal should be.
Also, Murray has prominent upper front teeth, and for many book fans, her toothy appearance
during the first few seasons was slightly distracting—because such a unique facial
feature was never mentioned in the novels.
"Don't let them send me away Sam!"
Benjen Stark
For book readers, the true identity of the mysterious Coldhands has been a topic of hot
debate for many years.
Those who felt Coldhands is Benjen may have gotten some validation when the characters
were merged for the show.
But just because something happens in the series doesn't mean that's how Martin himself
will do it.
"A great war is coming."
But Uncle Benjen was described as having sharp features and being "gaunt as a mountain crag"
with a "hint of laughter in his blue-grey eyes."
If he was to become Coldhands in The Winds of Winter, as in the show, he'd boast some
other features, like blackened eyes and, well, cold hands.
Thanks for watching!
Click the Grunge icon to subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Plus check out all this cool stuff we know you'll love, too!