After what felt like an eternity, the final season of Game of Thrones is here — and, with just six episodes, fans can expect a lot of action from our favourite remaining characters. (RIP to everyone we've lost.) So far, the producers and cast have been extremely tight-lipped about what fans can expect in the eighth and final season, leaving everyone to anxiously ponder the most pressing question: Which Game Of Thrones characters are confirmed to return to fight for the Iron Throne?
While it's easy to fall for all of the solid Game of Thrones fan theories circulating the internet (not to mention, fun to read), we've learned after seven intense seasons of GoT that things in Westeros are hardly as they seem. People we thought would last perished (bye, Littlefinger). Characters we thought would never bend the knee did (we're looking at you, Jon Snow). Alliances are broken as quickly as they're formed (anyone up for a Tyrion Lannister-Jon Snow bromance?). The only things we can know for certain are that we can anticipate an epic Thrones season 8 battle between the humans and the White Walkers and that dozens of familiar faces will reappear this season, including the Lannister siblings (Tyrion, Cersei, and Jaime), accidentally incestuous lovers Daenerys Targaryen and Jon Snow, and the Stark siblings (Arya, Sansa, and Bran). The Game of Thrones season 8 trailers also reveal that favourites such as Brienne of Tarth and Samwell Tarly will make appearances.
Of course, we should know better by now than to rule anyone out. According to Entertainment Weekly, fans can also anticipate a handful of surprise Game of Thrones cast appearances in the finale, so start placing your bets now.
If gambling's not your thing, fear not. Ahead, we've compiled a list of confirmed cast appearances in Game of Thrones season 8.
Jon Snow
Nothing, not even death, could prevent Jon Snow (Kit Harington) from starring in the final season of Game of Thrones. The man has truly been through it all (resurrection, the loss of his girlfriend, a lonely childhood, you name it), and he's not going to stop fighting until he defeats the White Walkers — unless, you know, he dies again for real.
But this season may be the greatest test of his strength and character. When we left off, Jon had "bent the knee" and pledged his allegiance to Daenerys Targaryen, who, unbeknownst to him, is his aunt (imagine how awkward that will be if and when he finds out). Now, he's going to have to explain his new ties to his "sisters," Sansa and Arya in hopes of getting them — and all other Houses — to join him in a the ultimate fight to save humanity. Good luck with that one!
Photo: Courtesy of HBO.
Daenerys Targaryen
Dany (Emilia Clarke) is formidable, and she has no apparent plans to slow down until she claims the Iron Throne. She also seems to have a decent shot at getting what she wants. After all, she does have two fire-breathing dragons and the support of some of the strongest and most cunning people in Westeros.
There are, however, some odd fan theories that could alter her direction. One disturbing prediction is that Daenerys and Jon will conceive a baby, and she'll ultimately die in childbirth. For now, we're choosing to believe Dany will continue kicking ass and taking names as she tears down White Walkers and any other enemies in her wake.
Photo: Courtesy of HBO.
Arya Stark
Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) is hands-down one of the most ambitious characters in the series. She has her own kill list, helped Sansa with one of the series' most shocking murders, and is unapologetically unafraid of death.
"I know death," she says in the season 8 trailer. "He's got many faces. I look forward to seeing this one."
While we don't know who she's talking to, we know it can't be good news for anyone on the other end of her dagger.
Photo: Courtesy of HBO.
Sansa Stark
Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) has been through the wringer. And, judging by the trailers and teasers we've seen, things don't look like they're going to get much easier. For starters, she stumbles upon her own tombstone while walking amongst the crypts of Winterfell with Jon and Arya. Additionally, she's in for quite the shock when Jon tells her he's sworn his allegiance to Daenerys Targaryen instead of fighting on behalf of the Stark name. Will Sansa catch a break? Probably not, but let's at least hope she survives the worst of winter.
Photo: Courtesy of HBO.
Bran Stark
Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead Wright) is headed back to Winterfell, and, boy, does he have some news — namely, that Jon Snow's real name is Aegon Targaryen, and that he's the rightful heir to the Throne.
But there's a chance Bran could be a lot more than just a messenger this season. According to some fan theories, Bran will use his warg powers to build a wall and become the Night King.
Photo: Courtesy of HBO.
Cersei Lannister
Bring out the wine, because Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) is back, and, if the trailer is any indication, she's as ruthless and determined as ever to retain control of the Iron Throne. We already know she doesn't have a problem casting her her siblings out of her life, but could her desire to be near her brothers change now that leaked scripts confirmed a major spoiler?
Photo: Courtesy of HBO.
Tyrion Lannister
Known for his wit and resilience, Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) has come a long by connecting with the right people. In season 8, it seems he'll continue his alliance with Dany and Jon — but, unfortunately for him, death may come sooner rather than later.
In a 2018 interview with Vulture, Dinklage said teased that Tyrion may not make it till the end. "I think he was given a very good conclusion," the actor said of his character. "No matter what that is — death can be a great way out."
Say it ain't so!
Photo: Courtesy of HBO.
Jaime Lannister
Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) has made some pretty horrible mistakes in his past, but if the official trailer is any indication, he's now prepared to do what's right.
"I promised to fight for the living," he said to someone off camera (maybe Cersei?). "I intend to keep that promise."
Turning his back on his sister could be dangerous (especially if she's really going to have their child), but it's also entirely likely that Jaime might be one of the last men standing.
Photo: Courtesy of HBO.
Brienne of Tarth
Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie) has long been a fearless fighter, and she's not ready to put her sword down yet. In teasers, she stands on the front lines of the battle field, prepared to take on the White Walkers. Live or die, Christie is certain of one thing: Brienne of Tarth will go down in history as one of the series' most courageous women.
"I do see Brienne of Tarth as a modern day Joan of Arc," she told Vogue.
It's hard to disagree.
Photo: Courtesy of HBO.
Missandei
No Queen is truly prepared to rule without her right-hand woman. Luckily for Daenerys, she can rely on Missandei (Nathalie Emmanuel) as a trusted confidant.
As for Missandei's love life, well, it seems she and Grey Worm are still very much on after their steamy, feminist sex scene last season. The two are spotted kissing in the season 8 trailer.
Photo: Courtesy of HBO.
Grey Worm
Grey Worm (Jacob Anderson), leader of the Unsullied, has long-served as one of Daenerys' most trusted soldiers, so it's no surprise that he'll continue to follow her lead in the final season. While he's always been prepared to die on the battlefield, the stakes are significantly higher for Grey Worm now that he and Missandei are in a romantic relationship.
Photo: Courtesy of HBO.
Jorah Mormont
For many characters, alliances are meant to be broken. Not for Jorah Mormont (Iain Glen), though. He still proudly defends Dany after she smashed his heart, and in the season 8 trailer, he even seems to have warmed up to Jon Snow, whom he fights alongside in a battle against the White Walkers. How long will he last in battle? We can't know for sure, but if he can beat greyscale, he just might be able to do anything.
Photo: Courtesy of HBO.
Melisandre
Last season, Melisandre (Carice van Houten), aka The Red Woman, set off to Volantis. Why she decided to take the long, treacherous journey is unclear. Some fans speculate that she is headed to rally the Fiery Hand, an army stationed in front of the Temple of R'hllor, into joining Jon and Dany in their fight against the Night King. The theory wouldn't be too far-fetched, considering Melisandre believes the Prince Who Was Promised is still out there (and may be Jon or Dany).
Photo: Courtesy of HBO.
Ser Davos Seaworth
Ser Davos Seaworth (Liam Cunningham), aka, The Onion Knight, has supported not one, but two Kings during his life. He's strong, experienced, and loyal (let's not forget he was the one who convinced Melisandre to bring Jon Snow back to life). Now, he serves alongside Jon and is just as determined to defeat the Night King.
Will he live long enough to see the end of the war? Cunningham doesn't seem so sure. "We're all going to die," he said on The Late Late Show. OK, then!
Photo: Courtesy of HBO.
Sandor "The Hound" Clegane
For years, fans have patiently waited for the CleganeBowl, an epic battle between Sandor "The Hound" and his brother, Gregor "The Mountain." Though the two brothers shared a tense moment in the season 7 finale, they never came to blows. That could change in season 8, though, especially since they The Hound left his brother with some harsh words: "It's not how it ends for you, brother. You know who's coming for you. You've always known."
Yikes. Even if The Hound doesn't kill his bro, we're sure to see plenty of action from him on the battleground — that is, if Arya doesn't get to him first.
Photo: Courtesy of HBO.
Theon Greyjoy
Like many GoT characters, Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen) has been to hell and back (the man barely made it out of Ramsay Bolton's clutches alive). But, in season 8, he'll have a serious choice to make: Will he let his past haunt him, or will he put himself in danger to save his sister, Yara, who was abducted by their uncle Euron?
Photo: Courtesy of HBO.
Samwell Tarly
Friends like Samwell Tarly (John Bradley) are hard to come by. He's super loyal! He knows how to cure greyscale! He's one of the most well-read people in the entire series! All of these qualities could come in quite handy in the final season, as Sam sets off to tell Jon about his true lineage.
Sam's fate, like everyone else's, is unclear. However, some have speculated that he could team up with Bran Stark. Others have floated the idea that Sam wrote the Game of Thrones story, and that everything we've seen up until now has all been based on his memories. We're not so sure either of those theories will play out, but we do know one thing: Sam should start listening more closely to Gilly.
Photo: Courtesy of HBO.
Gilly
Gilly (Hannah Murray) is one of the most underestimated GoT characters, and she shouldn't be. After all, it was Gilly, not Sam, who discovered who Jon's parents really are after reading a bombshell passage from the High Septon Maynard's journal. Hopefully, she'll expose even more shocking details in the final season — you know, like who will ultimately take his or her place at the Iron Throne.
Photo: Courtesy of HBO.
Bronn
The Lannisters say they always pay their debts, and Bronn (Jerome Flynn), seems determined to hold them to their word. (He told Jaime he'd kill him if he didn't get his castle and wife, as promised). That is, if he can find Jaime. At the end of season 7, Jaime took off to the North and may have left Bronn behind at King's Landing.
Hopefully, Bronn will find his way to Jaime's side and help him defeat the Night King's army. Then, he can make good on any and all threats he feels necessary.
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