How Much Time Has Passed in Game of Thrones Throughout the Show

The Game of Thrones storyline spans a considerable time span, with approximately seven to eight years passing from the beginning of Season 1 to the end of Season 8. This article delves into the timeline, character ages, and some fun facts about the series.

Timeline and Time Spans

The series begins with the events of 298 AC (After Conquest) and concludes around 305-306 AC. Assuming a roughly eight-year span, each season typically represents one year of the show's narrative. However, the last two seasons can be considered longer due to the extensive travel and adventure depicted. Generally, it is estimated that about 4-5 years have passed, considering the character development and important plot points.

Character Ages and Development

Since the show does not explicitly state the years passing, we can deduce the timeline by relying on the characters' ages at various points in the series.

Season 1 and First Book

Initially, the major characters' ages were as follows:

Bran Stark: 10 years old Arya Stark: 11 years old Sansa Stark: 13 years old Theon Greyjoy: 16 years old Jon Snow: 18 years old Daenerys Targaryen: 17 years old Samwell Tarly: 8 years old (implied, as a child) Tyrion Lannister: 32 years old Brienne of Tarth: 32 years old Jaime Lannister: 36 years old

It is important to note that Theon Greyjoy was de-aged in the show when compared to the books. He was supposed to be 18 to 19 at the start of ASOIF (A Storm of Swords), but in the show, he appeared to be younger.

Season 8 - Episode 2

By the time of Season 8, Episode 2 where Arya and Gendry get intimate, the characters' ages had shifted significantly:

Bran Stark: 17 years old Arya Stark: 18 years old Sansa Stark: 20 years old Theon Greyjoy: 23 years old Jon Snow: 24 years old Daenerys Targaryen: 24 years old Samwell Tarly: 15 years old (by this time, a young adult) Tyrion Lannister: 39 years old Brienne of Tarth: 39 years old Jaime Lannister: 45 years old

Fun Fact 1: Theon Greyjoy is the only character that was de-aged in the show. According to the books, he was 18 to 19, but in the show, he appeared significantly younger, about 2 to 3 years younger than the books describe.

Fun Fact 2: Brienne of Tarth has the most significant age difference between the book version and the show version. In the books, she is just 17, while in the show, she is 39. They aged her up significantly to add romantic undertones to her relationship with Jaime Lannister, who is 45 in the show, making their age gap less creepy.

Fun Fact 3: Joffrey is the only character that has an on-screen birthday or nameday. He turns 17 in Season 2, Episode 1: The North Remembers. In the books, he turns 12.

This extensive timeline shows the development of the characters over the seven-year span of the show, with crucial points marking significant changes in their ages and the overarching narrative of the series.