When it comes to Game of Thrones, most fans know the show was based on George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series. But what many may not realize is that some of the most unforgettable characters we saw on-screen weren’t actually in the original books. That’s right — these weren’t just minor side characters; they were often essential to the show’s emotional core, its tension, or even its darkest turns.
Whether it was through clever writing, powerful performances, or sheer impact on the story, these characters — created specifically for HBO’s version of Westeros — carved out a place in fans’ hearts. Let’s take a look at the 10 best Game of Thrones characters who didn’t exist in the books, but maybe should have.
10. Karsi
First appearance: Season 5, Episode 8 – “Hardhome”
Karsi didn’t get much screen time — but in just one episode, she made an unforgettable impression. As a Wildling chieftain, she represented something we rarely got to see: a strong, principled mother trying to protect not just her own children, but her entire people.
Her decision to trust Jon Snow, to put survival over old grudges, showed her intelligence and leadership. And then came that scene at Hardhome — her fighting back the undead, making a last stand, only to freeze in horror when confronted by undead children. Her silent death and later resurrection by the Night King, with those hollow blue eyes, left many viewers shaken.
She could’ve been a major figure had she lived. Instead, she became a symbol of everything that was lost in the chaos beyond the Wall.
9. Olly
First appearance: Season 4, Episode 3 – “Breaker of Chains”
Olly might be one of the most hated characters in the fandom, but his story was anything but one-dimensional. A young boy who watched his family get slaughtered by Wildlings — it’s not hard to understand where his anger came from.
His journey from scared survivor to Jon Snow’s squire, and eventually his betrayer, was a gut punch. We watched him struggle with grief, loyalty, and fear, and while his final act was tragic, it was also deeply human. Olly wasn’t evil — he was just a child broken by war.
8. Lady Crane
First appearance: Season 6, Episode 5 – “The Door”
Lady Crane wasn’t just an actress in a Braavosi play — she was a mirror for Arya Stark’s internal conflict. When Arya was sent to kill her, she instead found compassion, kindness, and a version of Cersei that wasn’t a monster, but a grieving mother.
Crane gave Arya something rare: safety. A warm place to heal. A reminder that not everyone was cruel in this world. That moment of stillness was important — it slowed Arya’s descent into cold-hearted vengeance and showed her that choosing empathy was still possible.
7. Brother Ray
First appearance: Season 6, Episode 7 – “The Broken Man”
Played by Ian McShane, Brother Ray was like a ray of light in a world filled with blood and betrayal. He found the Hound half-dead and tried to guide him toward peace. His monologues were short but powerful, hinting at his violent past and his quest for redemption.
For a brief moment, it felt like Sandor Clegane might actually escape the cycle of violence. Of course, peace doesn’t last in Westeros — and when Brother Ray’s community was slaughtered, the Hound picked up the axe again. But Ray’s influence lingered — he showed that even the most brutal men can find another way… if they’re given a chance.
6. Myranda
First appearance: Season 3, Episode 7 – “The Bear and the Maiden Fair”
Myranda was one of the few characters who actively embraced Ramsay Bolton’s cruelty. Where others feared or obeyed him, she enjoyed it. That made her all the more terrifying. She wasn’t just a lover — she was an enabler. Her jealousy of Sansa, her tormenting of Theon, her bloodlust — it all painted a portrait of a woman warped by her environment.
Her death — cold and casual, pushed off by Ramsay himself — was almost poetic. She served his darkness, but even she was disposable. Her end marked just how alone Ramsay truly was.
5. Karl Tanner
First appearance: Season 3, Episode 3 – “Walk of Punishment”
Every group has its own monsters, and Karl Tanner was the Night’s Watch’s. A self-proclaimed “legend in Flea Bottom,” Karl was cunning, vile, and completely unhinged. After the mutiny at Craster’s Keep, he turned the place into his own personal hell.
Karl’s brutal treatment of Craster’s daughters and his creepy confidence made him one of the show’s most disturbing villains — despite limited screen time. His duel with Jon Snow wasn’t just a fight — it was a purge. The Night’s Watch needed that.
4. Locke
First appearance: Season 3, Episode 2 – “Dark Wings, Dark Words”
If Jaime Lannister’s redemption arc had a turning point, it was because of Locke. The man who chopped off the Kingslayer’s hand wasn’t a major player, but his actions sent shockwaves through the story.
That single moment — Jaime’s loss of his sword hand — flipped his entire identity upside down. Locke wasn’t just another baddie; he was the guy who forced Jaime to grow. And later, his involvement in the hunt for Bran and Rickon showed just how twisted Roose Bolton’s allies were.
3. Ros
First appearance: Season 1, Episode 1 – “Winter Is Coming”
Ros began as just another sex worker in Winterfell, but her story evolved into something bigger. As she moved to King’s Landing, we saw the city through her eyes. The politics, the power struggles, the cruelty — she experienced it all firsthand.
Her arc was a silent tragedy. She was exploited by Littlefinger, objectified by men in power, and eventually murdered by Joffrey. Her death wasn’t just shocking — it was a reminder that in Westeros, the lower classes were often used and discarded.
2. Talisa Maegyr
First appearance: Season 2, Episode 4 – “Garden of Bones”
Talisa replaced Jeyne Westerling from the books, and while some fans questioned the change, her on-screen romance with Robb Stark was tender, intelligent, and politically risky. She wasn’t just a love interest — she was a voice of reason and a bridge between Robb and the war’s victims.
Their love story felt grounded and mature, which made the Red Wedding all the more cruel. Watching her die with Robb — and their unborn child — remains one of the most heartbreaking scenes in the entire series.
1. Yara Greyjoy
First Appearance: The North Remembers (Season 2, Episode 1)
Yara, known as Asha in the books, was significantly reimagined for the show. She is a fierce Ironborn warrior and sister to Theon Greyjoy, showing strength, loyalty, and leadership. Her role in the series expands beyond the books, becoming a key player in the Iron Islands and in Daenerys Targaryen’s quest for the throne.
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