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Particularly given the ages shown on the show differ greatly from George R. R. Martin's books, the ages of Game of Thrones characters have been a topic of much discussion and debate. The actors' natural aging process as the show ran through causes these differences; many of them by the series finale are older than their characters. The creators of the show also purposefully changed some character ages, usually to prevent presenting some characters as too young for the circumstances they were in.
Jon Snow starts his journey in the Game of Thrones books at the age of 14, but on the show he is 16. Though small, this age difference helps to explain the early seasons' petulant attitude of the character. Although he finally rises among the most adored heroes in the show, for a 14-year-old his continuous complaining about his situation in the first episodes makes more sense. Jon seems older than his original age as he grows and develops significantly over the course of the series, confronting death and resurrection and so undergoing change.
Starting at sixteen rather than thirteen in the books, Daenerys Targaryen, like Jon Snow, is also aged up in the show. Although this change might have made her final dark turn more tragic, it was a required change for the way the show portrayed such a young character in morally difficult circumstances. Fueled by her dragons and expanding army, her path from a naive princess to a strong ruler is remarkable regardless of her age. The way the book presents her younger years could have accentuated the sad nature of her experiences, so rendering her mistakes more pardonable.
Among the more perplexing elements of Game of Thrones is Tyrion Lannister's age. He's 24 in the books at the start, but in the show he's 32. Older than both Lena Headey and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, who respectively play Cersei and Jaime Lannister, Peter Dinklage, who portrays Tyrion, also surpasses his character in age. Dinklage's older age gives Tyrion experience and wisdom, which, although not quite fit the book's depiction, gives the character another layer. Especially in connection to his siblings, Tyrion's apparent age in the book highlights his position as the underdog in the Lannister family.
The show and the books differ greatly in the age of brilliant battle commander Robb Stark. He is only 14 in the books, yet 16 in the show. This age difference makes his death at the Red Wedding especially more tragic, especially in the book where his last hours seem like those of a terrified young lad. His mistakes—including his misguided sense of honor—are more readily understood as the behavior of a young child. His mature military leadership in the show makes his death more sad, but it also lessens the effect of his young naivete.
Among the most obvious differences between the show and the books are the Stark children Sansa, Arya, Bran's ages. Sansa begins the show at 13; Arya at 11; Bran at 10. The actors seem older even if these ages are more than their book equivalents. The show brilliantly catches the innocence and youthfulness of the Stark children despite their different ages, so enhancing their exposure to the atrocities of the world. Their younger years in the books give them a more pure innocence that is progressively destroyed; their experiences help them to become hardened survivors.
Adopted son of the Stark family, Theon Greyjoy shows as sixteen on the show, exactly Jon and Robb's age. Still, he is older in the books—beginning at either 18 or 19. Though not important, this age difference works nicely for Theon since his younger age fuels his misguided attempts to prove himself as a warrior. His youthfulness helps the show to sell him as a young man trying to be something he isn't. His older age emphasizes in the books his even more pitiful actions, so highlighting his extreme need for approval.
At the beginning of the books as well as the show, Jaime and Cersei Lannister, the twins, are 36. Given their actors, Lena Headey and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, who are close in age to their characters, the way the show presents their ages is less troubling than some other characters. The book explores their awareness of their advancing age more closely; Cersei develops fixation on her fading beauty and Jaime worries about his legacy. Their vulnerabilities highlight their fears as they approach a turning point in their life, so giving their characters more depth.
Just six in the books when Jaime and Cersei Lannister's illegitimate son Tommen Baratheon ascends to king. He dies in the show at 14 from starting at 8. Emphasizing Tommen's youth, the books show how ridiculous Westeros' line of succession is with such a young, naive child on the throne. Though he is more under control in the show, his naivety and sad ending are constant across both versions. His death in the books seems almost certain, hence it is even more sad than the portrayal on the show.
Ned and Catelyn Stark are older than their show's book counterparts. In the books Ned is 34; Sean Bean, who portrayed him, was 50, so Ned's on the show is 41. Catelyn is 33 in the books; Michelle Fairley, who portrayed her, was 48, thus Catelyn's on the show just 40. Although their ages on the show are older, this fits their roles as seasoned parents and enables a more powerful actor performance. Their errors in the narrative are more about their naive view of the world and their conviction in justice than about young ignorance.
Surprisingly young in the books, Joffrey Baratheon—one of Game of Thrones' most infamous antagonists—is just 12. He starts the show sixteen years old. Joffrey's sadistic behavior is more unsettling and his death at such a young age more tragic since the books feature younger age in which. Though Jack Gleeson is a little older than his book counterpart, his performance in the show brilliantly catches Joffrey's immaturity and brutality.
Jorah Mormont is one of the few characters whose age remains consistent between the show and the books. He is 44 years old at start. His age, coupled with his long life as a warrior and a sellsword in Essos, emphasizes the depth of his love for Daenerys, which, while shown as respectful in the show, is more aggressive and unsettling in the books, particularly given Daenerys' younger age. Iain Glen's portrayal of Jorah, while slightly older than his character, effectively portrays the character's grizzled experience.
Sandor Clegane (The Hound) is 35 in the show, while Gregor Clegane (The Mountain) is 5 years older, starting at 40. This age difference is somewhat reversed in the books, with Sandor being 27 or 28, and Gregor being 35. The casting choices in the show highlight the age dynamic, with Rory McCann, who plays Sandor, being much older than Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, who plays Gregor, despite Gregor being the older brother. Björnsson's imposing physique helps to compensate for the age discrepancy. While Björnsson delivers a powerful portrayal of the Mountain, the books emphasize Gregor's years of experience in battle, making him even more terrifying.
Margaery Tyrell is introduced in season 2 of the show but becomes a significant player in season 3. In the show, she's 18, a threat to Cersei Lannister's power. The books portray her as 14, but the show's depiction of her intelligence and political acumen fits better with her older age. While she is involved in major storylines in the books, her character is less developed behind the scenes, making her political brilliance less evident. Natalie Dormer's performance effectively portrays Margaery's calculated charm and ambition.
Littlefinger, whose true nature is shrouded in mystery, is 29 in the books and 36 in the show. The show's portrayal of his age adds to his sinister nature and the creepiness of his relationship with Sansa. The age dynamic with Catelyn Stark, whom he loved, highlights his manipulation, making her initial perception of him as a harmless figure even more impactful. Aiden Gillen's portrayal captures Littlefinger's sly charm and manipulative tendencies, making him a compelling antagonist.
Davos Seaworth, also known as the Onion Knight, is one of the more age-accurate characters in the show, with the actor, Liam Cunningham, being close in age to the character, who is 49 at the beginning of the series. However, his book counterpart is 37. Cunningham's older age adds a world-weary yet experienced quality to the character, especially when he becomes Jon's closest advisor. While Davos is a likable character in the books, Cunningham's portrayal brings a warmth and paternal quality to his interactions with younger characters, particularly Lyanna Mormont and Shireen Baratheon.
Samwell Tarly is older than Jon Snow in the show, starting at 17, while in the books, they are the same age at 14. Despite this difference, the show maintains the feeling of peerage between them. Sam's older age is crucial to his family dynamic, as he is mature enough to embrace his future as head of House Tarly, but his perceived weakness leads to him being overlooked in favor of his brother. John Bradley's portrayal effectively captures Sam's shy and gentle nature.
Varys' age is a mystery, both in the show and the books. The show offers a hint when he recounts being mutilated as a boy by a sorcerer, revealing that many years have passed, but the specific details remain vague. The show's portrayal of Varys is consistent with the book's ambiguity, leaving his age a mystery, adding to his enigmatic persona.
Brienne of Tarth is a character whose age differs significantly between the show and the books. In the books, she is 17 at the beginning, while in the show, she is 32. The show's portrayal of her age is closer to the age of the actress, Gwendoline Christie, and effectively portrays her as a seasoned warrior. While the book's portrayal of her younger age highlights her impressive skills, the show emphasizes her journey of self-discovery and her struggles to be accepted in a world that doesn't understand her.
Melisandre's age, like Varys', is deliberately left ambiguous in the show, but actress Carice van Houten has confirmed that she is over 100 years old. The show's producers further suggested that she has lived for centuries. Her age, along with her magical abilities, contributes to the aura of mystery surrounding her character. While the show has revealed her age, the books have only hinted at it, leaving it open to interpretation.
The Night King, Game of Thrones' ultimate antagonist, is the oldest character in the series, having been created by the Children of the Forest during the Wars of the First Men. His age is estimated to be around 10,000 years old. He is a powerful and immortal being. The books have yet to introduce the Night King or confirm his existence.
Shireen Baratheon, Stannis Baratheon's daughter, is one of the most tragic characters in the show, dying at the age of 9. In the books, she is 11 years old. Her death in the show is a brutal and shocking event, highlighting the cruelty of the world. The books, while not explicitly confirming her death, have hints of it, suggesting that it will be just as tragic.
Stannis Baratheon is depicted as 40 in the show, while he is 33 in the books. The show's portrayal of him as an older man adds to his rigid and uncompromising persona, making him a more imposing figure. His decision to sacrifice his daughter Shireen, while a horrifying act in both adaptations, is perhaps more understandable in the show due to his portrayal as an older, hardened man.
Khal Drogo's age is consistent in both the show and the books, being 30 at the beginning. His age, combined with his role as leader of the Dothraki, emphasizes the complexity of his relationship with Daenerys. The show's depiction of their age difference is slightly smaller, but it doesn't fully address the problematic aspects of their relationship. Jason Momoa's portrayal of Khal Drogo effectively captures the character's strength and charisma.
Daario Naharis, a sellsword who becomes Daenerys' advisor and lover, is 30 in the books and 37 in the show. The show's portrayal of him as an older man adds to his charisma and playful demeanor. While the book's version of Daario is less playful, the show's depiction allows him to be more of a contemporary to Daenerys, despite the age difference. The character is recast twice in the show, with both actors, Ed Skrein and Michiel Huisman, effectively portraying Daario's charm and confidence.
Daenerys' dragons, Viserion, Rhaegal, and Drogon, are the easiest characters to track in terms of age, as their growth is visually depicted throughout the series. The show follows their development from hatchlings to formidable creatures. Viserion dies at around six years old, Rhaegal at seven, and Drogon survives to the end of the series, also at seven years old. Dragons in the Game of Thrones universe can live for hundreds of years, suggesting that Drogon has a long life ahead of him.
Created by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, Game of Thrones is a TV series based on the book "A Song of Ice and Fire" by George R.R. Martin. The story unfolds in the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, where houses vie for control of the coveted Iron Throne. The series is renowned for its complex characters, intricate storylines, and stunning visuals. It explores themes of power, betrayal, family, and the struggle between good and evil. As the houses clash in a war for power, a very ancient evil, the White Walkers, awakens in the far north. The Night's Watch, led by Jon Snow, faces this ancient threat, which threatens to consume all of Westeros. The series premiered on HBO in 2011 and quickly became a global phenomenon. Game of Thrones is a captivating epic that has captured the imaginations of viewers worldwide, winning numerous awards and breaking viewership records.