Starter Guide

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Game of Thrones: Season 1

by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss (TV series), based on the novels by George R. R. Martin.

✓ No spoilers

Spoiler-Free Character Guide

In a world of noble families, political intrigue and competing claims to power, the struggle for the Iron Throne threatens to engulf the Seven Kingdoms. Follow the key characters and their relationships as the epic fantasy series begins.

Characters

Key characters in Game of Thrones: Season 1, with a brief guide to who they are.

Eddard (Ned) Stark

Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North. Husband of Catelyn and father of the Stark children; an old friend of King Robert.

Catelyn Stark

Lady of Winterfell, wife of Ned Stark and mother of Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran and Rickon.

Jon Snow

Ned Stark’s acknowledged illegitimate son, raised at Winterfell alongside the Stark children.

Robb Stark

Eldest son of Ned and Catelyn Stark. Heir to Winterfell and older brother to Sansa, Arya, Bran and Rickon.

Sansa Stark

Eldest daughter of Ned and Catelyn Stark. Interested in courtly life and the customs of noble families.

Arya Stark

Younger daughter of Ned and Catelyn Stark. Independent-minded and more interested in swordplay than courtly manners.

Bran Stark

Young son of Ned and Catelyn Stark. Curious and adventurous, with a fondness for climbing Winterfell’s walls.

Robert Baratheon

King of the Seven Kingdoms and husband of Cersei Lannister. A longtime friend of Ned Stark.

Cersei Lannister

Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, wife of King Robert Baratheon and sister of Jaime and Tyrion Lannister.

Jaime Lannister

Knight of the Kingsguard and twin brother of Queen Cersei. Known as the Kingslayer.

Tyrion Lannister

Younger brother of Cersei and Jaime Lannister. Witty, sharp-eyed and fond of books and wine.

Joffrey Baratheon

Crown prince and eldest son of King Robert and Queen Cersei. Heir to the Iron Throne.

Daenerys Targaryen

Young exiled princess living across the Narrow Sea. Sister of Viserys Targaryen.

Viserys Targaryen

Exiled prince and older brother of Daenerys. Determined to reclaim the throne once held by his family.

Khal Drogo

Powerful leader (khal) of a Dothraki horse-riding people across the Narrow Sea.

Additional information

Game of Thrones is an HBO fantasy drama based on George R. R. Martin's bestselling A Song of Ice and Fire novels. Season 1, first broadcast in 2011, introduces viewers to the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros and the powerful families whose ambitions and rivalries shape the story.

This Starter Guide introduces 15 important characters without revealing major developments from the season. You can add your own characters and notes as you watch.

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