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.
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