My Favorite Game Of Thrones Characters

Branden Lee is a blogger, screenwriter, producer, and actor, currently residing in Boston, MA. Follow Branden on Twitter @Brandeness  and check out Branden’s blog . 

Game of Thrones, HBO’s hit epic fantasy magical medieval series, returned to TV for it’s 3rd season premiere on Sunday March 31. For those of you unfamiliar, Game of Thrones is based on the book series A Song of Fire & Ice by American author George R. R. Martin. Game of Thrones has something for everyone’s taste. Including romance, royalty, war, mystery, murder, zombies, and much much more.

The series focuses on the mythical land of Westeros and it’s several kingdoms, each with a prominent family with a stake and desire to claim the iron throne. Game of Thrones has tons of characters, so it would be impossible to not have a favorite, well multiple favorites.  My top 3 favorite characters are…

1. Cersei Lannister (played by Lena Headey)

Ever since the first episode of Game of Thrones I knew Cersei would be my favorite. She’s the queen of the entire kingdom, and very deceptive and cunning. I can’t resist and evil queen. Cersei’s had an incestuous relationship with her twin brother Jaime, which resulted in her 3 children, unbeknownst to her (now deceased) husband King Robert Baratheon. Cersei also carries on an incestuous relationship with her younger cousin Lancel, whenever Jaime is away at battle. Her type is clearly men she’s related to. Cersei conspired with Lancel to slowly poison her husband King Robert, ultimately resulting in his death. Cersei’s eldest child, her teenage son Joffrey, is now the king. Cersei does love all of her children very much, though she’s lost control of Joffrey, who’s clearly a vindictive cowardly sociopath.

What I love most about Cersei, besides being an evil queen, is that she embodies power along with remarkable beauty. The position of queen may not yield as much power as the king, but Cersei always outwits, outlasts, and outplays her opponents. Cersei has her faults, such as being an overbearing mother, practicing incest, and secretly plotting to dispose of everyone new who enters her life. But Cersei’s a fantastic character, and my favorite in the entire Game of Thrones universe. Cersei’s gorgeous, evil, and the queen! Everything I love.

2. Melisandre (played by Carice van Houten)

Melisandre didn’t mak her Game of Thrones debute until season 2, but was an instant favorite of mine. Melisandre is the mistress of Stannis Baratheon, brother to the deceased King Robert, who is on a mission to reclaim the throne. Stannis hates that Joffrey, who’s not really his brother’s son and therefore not the rightful heir, is now the king. Stannis wants to reclaim the throne for the Baratheons. Melisandre is a red priestess with magical powers which allows her to be immune to poison, see the future in flames, and birth out shadow assassin creatures, which resemble Venom from the third Spider Man movie. One of these shadow creatures was used to murder Stannis’ own brother Renly, who also wanted to reclaim the throne in the Baratheon name, but since Stannis is the older brother he believed he should be king instead of Renly. Resulting in Renly’s demise. The desire for power in Game of Thrones leads families to turn on each other. Wives will murder their own husbands. Brothers will murder each other. No one is off limits when it comes to ruling over Westeros.

What I love about Melisandre is that every single person in Stannis’ life despises her and has warned him against her. Melisandre has used her seductive powers to have control over him, and even convert Stannis and his followers to her religion. I love a woman that can control a man. Also Melisandre’s a homewrecker, and I love mistresses. Stannis is very much a married man, who was known for his extremely moral behavior, until Melisandre came along. Melisandre also possesses magical powers.  She can see the future, she burns people alive, and Melisdandre births shadow assassins from her vagina! She’s a seductive homewrecking sorceress, and that’s why I’m rooting for her.

3. Margaery Tyrell (played by Natalie Dormer)

Margaery also made her debut on Game of Thrones in season 2. Margaery started out as the wife of Renly Baratheon. Renly needed Margaery’s family’s money and army resources to help him stake his claim to the throne. Renly was carrying on a gay relationship with Magaery’s brother Loras, which she was very much aware of. Margaery didn’t care if she was going to be married to a gay man who was having sex with her brother, as long as she was to be queen. After Renly’s untimely death, Margaery needed a new plan to become queen. Now her family has aligned with the Lannisters, and Margaery’s engaged to Cersei Lannister’s son, King Joffrey. Margaery is definitely becoming a power player in season 3, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for her and her impending wedding to King Joffrey. I also am looking forward to the arrival of Margaery’s grandmother, Olenna Redwyne (played by Dame Diana Rigg) who I know will also quickly become one of my favorites.

Game of Thrones airs Sunday nights at 9pm on HBO. If you haven’t watched the first 2 seasons, hurry and catch up! The current season is surely going to be the best yet.