10 Best Female Characters in Game of Thrones, Ranked

The huge ensemble cast of Game of Thrones includes incredibly talented actors playing characters with intricate backgrounds and complex motivations. One of the show’s strengths lies in its portrayal of many female characters with an attention that surpasses traditional fantasy tropes, and their importance within the bigger narrative. Despite the show having a lot more than just ten good female characters, the best are the ones whose roles are indispensable for the overarching story or who undergo the most profound changes.




Sansa Stark, for example, begins as a naive girl with dreams of becoming a queen. She’s initially overshadowed by the other Starks but goes through an intense maturing process throughout the seasons that transforms her into a decision-maker. Another example is the strong and brave Brienne of Tarth, the only woman in Game of Thrones who becomes a knight. Brienne is a noblewoman who challenges most social standards for women in her position. Through her unwavering commitment to her oaths and principles, she’s an admirable character who directly influences several storylines. Although many things make these characters distinct, the best female characters in Game of Thrones all undergo profound changes and make decisions that impact the show’s narrative.



10 Ellaria Sand Is Blinded by Revenge

Portrayed by

Indira Varma

First seen in

Season 4, Episode 1, “Two Swords”

Last seen in

Season 7, Episode 3, “The Queen’s Justice”

Ellaria Sand is a female bastard from Dorne who is introduced as the paramour of Lord Oberyn Martell. After the shocking death of her lover, Ellaria shows her strength and leaves a mark on the story despite her relatively short time on screen. Instead of falling into oblivion as someone of her rank would, she plots the death of Myrcella Baratheon. Ellaria’s revenge arc against Cersei hits a climax when killing her daughter, and this act intensifies the impending demise of House Lannister.


As a bastard woman who lost the only person who made any difference in her life, Ellaria’s bold overthrow of House Martell is one of the most impressive betrayals in the show and makes complete sense within the context of her grief. Her targeted rage is balanced with her critical thinking, cunning and determination, which justifies the admiration she inspires in her daughters — the Sand Snakes. Her actions significantly impact the power dynamics in Dorne and contribute to the broader conflict in Westeros. Unfortunately, her plans for revenge start well but ultimately lead to the death of her beloved Sand Snakes.

Olenna Tyrell Holds A Scroll While Flanked By Two Guards


Portrayed by

Dame Diana Rigg

First seen in

Season 3, Episode 2, “Dark Wings, Dark Words”

Last seen in

Season 7, Episode 3, “The Queen’s Justice”

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The tragic Margaery certainly is a very intelligent and likable character, but Olenna is the true force behind House Tyrell. While Margaery’s potential is wasted with her death coming before she could have made any real impact, her grandmother is the one pulling the strings and who orchestrated the queen wannabe’s three marriages.


Known as the Queen of Thorns, Olenna is introduced as an authority figure in Highgarden with a strategic mind and mysterious morals. At first, the audience is unaware of how central her role is in the series’ political intrigue. But once the viewers learn she’s behind the assassination of Joffrey Baratheon during his wedding to Margaery, it’s clear Olenna has been underestimated by everyone around her and the audience. Her willingness to take drastic measures to protect her family’s interests also speeds up the demise of House Lannister.

8 Yara Greyjoy Is a Dependable Leader

Yara Greyjoy looking on in Game Of Thrones

Portrayed by

Gemma Whelan

First seen in

Season 2, Episode 2, “The Night Lands”

Last seen in

Season 8, Episode 6, “The Iron Throne”


Yara Greyjoy’s introduction in Game of Thrones is perhaps the most controversial first scene of a character on the show. Theo’s older sister remained in the Iron Islands after he was taken by the Starks, and going along with Theo’s humiliating and unknowing attempt of incest is Yara’s impromptu way of asserting her power over him. But after mistreating her brother in different (and funny) ways, she proves to be a good sister and leader by rescuing him from Ramsay Bolton.

Yara has to flee the Iron Islands when her uncle takes over power and wants to kill her, later returning and being officially named the Lady of the Iron Islands. She significantly contributes to the world political landscape after aligning herself with Daenerys Targaryen, providing naval strategy. Her arc is marked by intense power dynamics and responsibilities usually reserved for male characters, even in the very Game of Thrones universe — which also made her rise more unlikely and enjoyable, as she becomes a leader of the male-dominated Ironborn culture.


7 Catelyn Stark Steps Up After Ned Dies

Catelyn Stark looks slightly to the side in Game of Thrones

Portrayed by

Michelle Fairley

First seen in

Season 1, Episode 1, “Winter Is Coming”

Last seen in

Season 6, Episode 6, “Blood of My Blood” (Vision)

Catelyn Stark is the brave matriarch of House Stark, who plays a crucial role in the unfolding political and military conflicts of the series. Her fierce loyalty to her own family above all else drives her actions as the Stark matriarch following Ned’s death, such as capturing Tyrion Lannister and accepting Brienne of Tarth’s servitude. Catelyn’s negotiations with other houses are perhaps the only intelligent actions taken by any Stark in the early seasons, particularly her efforts to build alliances during the War of the Five Kings.


Her tragic death at the Red Wedding in Season 3, Episode 9, “The Rains of Castamere” marks a significant turning point in Game of Thrones. The shocking scene emphasizes the vulnerability of all characters in such a treacherous world and heavily influences the decisions made by other characters after the fact. Even though A Song of Ice and Fire fans were disappointed the show didn’t bring her back from the dead like the novel does, her arc is still powerful and memorable.

6 Lady Melisandre Ends as a Redeemed Villain

Milesandre the Red Witch treats Jon Snow in Game of Thrones

Portrayed by

Carice van Houten

First seen in

Season 2, Episode 1, “The North Remembers”

Last seen in

Season 8, Episode 3, “The Long Night”


At first, Melisandre seems to be an evil witch using Stannis Baratheon for her own mysterious reasons. However, her true nature and perspective on the fight for the Iron Throne is slowly revealed and ends up justified though a surprising redemption arc. As a red priestess who worships the Lord of Light, Lady Melisandre follows the directions her god gives her. But this doesn’t mean she’ll always interpret the messages correctly.

After notably regretting her role in Princess Shireen’s death, the Red Woman realizes she misused her own powers. Her pivotal role in resurrecting Jon Snow in Season 6, Episode 2, “Home,” and her indirect guidance to Arya Stark in the Battle of Winterfell underscore her importance in the series’ climactic events as someone who can sometimes predict the future and even change it. Her departure and ultimate fate reflect her acceptance of her failures and successes, making it one of the most satisfying endings possible to such a powerful character.


5 Sansa Stark Emerges a Leader Through Trauma

Portrayed by

Sophie Turner

First seen in

Season 1, Episode 1, “Winter Is Coming”

Last seen in

Season 8, Episode 6, “The Iron Throne”

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Sansa Stark is extremely unlikable at first, with her childish view of the world contrasting with the behavior of all other Stark siblings. But her development from a naive and idealistic young girl to a wise and strategic ruler is one of the series’ most significant character arcs. Initially manipulated by those around her, Sansa learns the hard way how to do the manipulation herself — without ever compromising her sense of justice and morals.

Sansa is the female character with the worst experiences at the hands of men. She’s a victim of Joffrey, Littlefinger and Ramsay Bolton and this shapes her into the strong woman she later becomes. Sansa’s rise to Queen in the North proves her resilience and intelligence. Her newfound maturity is marked by a growing understanding of the intricacies of power and a steadfast commitment to her family’s legacy. By the series’ end, she’s arguably the most powerful woman in Westeros.


4 Brienne of Tarth Has the Strongest Moral Compass

Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie) holding the sword Oathkeeper in Game of Thrones.

Portrayed by

Gwendoline Christie

First seen in

Season 2, Episode 3, “What Is Dead May Never Die”

Last seen in

Season 7, Episode 3, “The Queen’s Justice”

At first inspection, a character with such a strong moral compass like Brienne wouldn’t have a place in the story of ruthless, power-hungry people killing each other that is Game of Thrones. But that’s exactly what Brienne represents: she defies the audience’s expectations in many ways. She bravely defies the traditional roles expected of noblewomen in Westeros and chooses the life of an oathkeeper, later being anointed a proper knight by Jaime Lannister.


Brienne’s quest to protect the Stark daughters as her way to fulfill her vow to Catelyn Stark and her complex relationship with Jaime underscore her commitment to her principles, instead of power. She stands as a beacon of hope for justice in a world where moral ideals are completely corrupted, a role the audience initially thought was Daenerys’. And Brienne has the physical prowess to back up her morally-driven decisions that often put her in danger. Her journey culminates in being named Commander of the Kingsguard under King Bran the Broken, a testament to her exceptional abilities and a well-deserved reward after fighting many bloody battles for the right reasons.

3 Arya Stark Has an Insatiable Thirst for Adventure

Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) holding her sword at the ready in a green field in Game of Thrones.
Image via HBO


Portrayed by

Maisie Williams

First seen in

Season 1, Episode 1, “Winter Is Coming”

Last seen in

Season 8, Episode 6, “The Iron Throne”

Arya Stark’s storyline is one of the most transformative and entertaining in the series. From a tomboyish little girl to a trained assassin with a personal hit list, her journey is marked by a relentless pursuit of thrills and vengeance. Arya’s time with the Faceless Men hones her into a lethal force, but it’s her long road trip with the Hound that proves to be her most formative experience.


Killing all kinds of characters, from Walder Frey to the Night King, Arya fulfills Lady Melisandre’s prophecy for her and proves she was always destined to be a killer. Beyond revenge, her story also explores themes of identity and the loss of innocence. Arya’s refusal to abandon her own aspirations despite the Faceless Men’s teachings highlights her strong personality and sense of self, going beyond simply being rebellious. Her need for revenge marks her, but is not her only driving force. Her decision to explore the unknown lands west of Westeros at the series’ end emphasizes her thirst for adventure and knowledge, an admirable trait that is equally responsible for her growth.

2 Cersei Lannister Is the Best Game of Thrones Villain

Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister sits in an ornate chair with her head cocked

Portrayed by

Lena Headey

First seen in

Season 1, Episode 1, “Winter Is Coming”

Last seen in

Season 8, Episode 6, “The Iron Throne” (Dead)


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Cersei Lannister is a complex and compelling antagonist. She’s completely ruthless and seeks power over everything else, with her actions driving much of the series’ drama. Cersei’s personality reflects the prophecy given to her as a child and her upbringing in House Lannister, with her marriage serving only to seal the alliance between the new King and the Lannisters. She only shows her tender side in scenes of her incestuous relationship with her twin brother Jamie and when protecting their children, who all but Myrcella believe their father is Robert Baratheon.


Cersei’s storyline is marked by several memorable highs and lows she successfully navigates. Notably, her lowest of lows was when she was humiliated in the walk of atonement enforced by the High Septon and the Sparrows in Season 5, Episode 10: “Mother’s Mercy.” As the strong character she is, she turns the tables and blows up the entire Sept of Baelor with her enemies inside in the day of her trial in Season 6, Episode 10: “The Winds of Winter.” This kind of iconic behavior made Cersei the best villain in Game of Thrones. She becomes more cunning and driven by rage as time goes by, and only dragons are ultimately able to bring the Queen Mother down.

1 Daenerys Targaryen Is the Heart of Game of Thrones


Portrayed by

Emilia Clarke

First seen in

Season 1, Episode 1, “Winter Is Coming”

Last seen in

Season 8, Episode 6, “The Iron Throne”

Daenerys Targaryen is the face of the show. With the most extensive resumé of all the characters, she’s known as the Unburnt, Braker of Chains, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea and much more — titles she accumulates in her long journey to build an army and claim the Iron Throne she’s rightfully entitled to. With a lot of intelligence and a fair share of luck, Daenerys survives horrible circumstances and emerges as the powerful Mother of Dragons.


Daenerys’s mission to end slavery and bring justice to the oppressed makes her a symbol of hope for many at first. However, her increasing ruthlessness and the moral ambiguities of her methods slowly hint at the fact she’s obsessed with the Iron Throne more than she cares about people. Although her turn to evil at the end didn’t please many fans, it’s not completely out of character. This divisive moment only cements her place as the most complex and interesting female character in Game of Thrones.

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