A Walk of Ages: Character Age Progression in Game of Thrones
While the vast majority of fans have a good understanding of the character ages in Game of Thrones, the differences between the books and the show can sometimes be a point of curiosity. Let's delve into the age progression of the major characters as the series unfolds, based on both the books and the television adaptation.
The Original Book Timeline
In George R. R. Martin's original series, the characters' ages are well-defined. For example, Daenerys Targaryen (also known as Dany) is 13 when she marries Khal Drogo and 16 when the events of the first season begin. She is 18 by the end of the series. Sansa Stark, the oldest of the Stark siblings (though not always the wisest), is around 11 at the start and 21 by the end.
Character Ages in the Television Series
The television adaptation, while staying faithful to the general timeline and plot, makes significant adjustments to the characters' ages. This is primarily due to legal and narrative constraints. Let's explore the changes in detail:
Daenerys Targaryen
Book Age: 13 (marriage to Khal Drogo), 16 (start of Season 1), 18 (end of the series) TV Show Age: Around 13 (beginning of Season 1), 24 (by the end of Season 8)The show aged Daenerys to bring her age to a more appropriate level for a 16-year-old character, considering the storyline's continuity and audience appropriateness.
Jon Snow
Book Age: 15 (guards the Wall) TV Show Age: Approximately 16 (beginning), 26 (end of the series)Sansa Stark
Book Age: 11 (beginning), 18-21 (end) TV Show Age: Approximately 11 (beginning), 21 (by the end)Arya Stark
Book Age: 9 (friend of the Butcher’s Boy), 13-14 (end) TV Show Age: Estimated to be about 9 (beginning), around 18 (end)Robb Stark
Book Age: 14 (beginning), 21-23 (end) TV Show Age: Approximately 14 (beginning), 24 (by the end)Bran Stark
Book Age: 8 (falls from the tower), 17-18 (end) TV Show Age: Around 10 (beginning), about 20 (by the end)Tyrion Lannister
Book Age: Late 30s (beginning), early 40s (end) TV Show Age: Estimated to be in his late 30s (beginning), around 45 (by the end)Cersei Lannister
Book Age: Early 40s (beginning), around 50 (end) TV Show Age: Estimated to be in her early 40s (beginning), around 50 (by the end)Jaime Lannister
Book Age: Early 40s (beginning), around 50 (end) TV Show Age: Similar to Cersei, early 40s (beginning), 50 (by the end)Sandor Clegane (The Hound)
Book Age: Late 30s (beginning), around 45 (end) TV Show Age: Estimated to be in his late 30s (beginning), around 45 (by the end)Adjustments for Logical and Narrative Reasons
Several characters were aged up or down in the TV series for various reasons. For example, Dany’s marriage to Khal Drogo in the books took place when she was 13, but the TV show changed this to 16. Similarly, Sansa’s age was also adjusted to better fit the narrative of her being the same age as Dany.
Another notable change was the age of Jon Snow. In the books, Jon is 15 when he joins the Night’s Watch, but in the TV series, this was changed to make it more believable and relatable for viewers.
Final Thoughts
While the TV show made these changes to stay true to the story and accommodate the audience, the original book timeline provides a rich and detailed character development journey. Understanding these differences can enhance the viewing and reading experience, offering a deeper appreciation of the complex world of Game of Thrones.