Where the 'Game of Thrones' cast left off in season 7
To get you up to speed with the 8th and final season of "Game of Thrones," we've compiled a list of the key characters — those who are still alive, anyway — and what they're up to. With winter coming and the White Walkers on the move, this group will play a significant role in the final lap. Season 8 premieres April 14 on HBO.
Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey)
Credit: HBO/Helen Sloane
Who she is: Widow of King Baratheon, secret lover of brother Jaime, she is now Cersei of the House Lannister, Protector of the Seven Kings. Aka head honcho.
When we last saw her: By the end of season, Cersei — in her Red Keep in King's Landing — is essentially isolated. She has an army she has no intention of using in the war, and her beloved brother, Jaime, has abandoned her. What o' what will become of Cersei?
Arya Stark (Maisie Williams)
Credit: HBO/Helen Sloane
Who she is: Youngest daughter of Ned and Catelyn, a rebel and outsider who has trained to become a great warrior. Should come in handy this season.
When we last saw her: In Winterfell, she and sister Sansa have formed a pact. They will preserve the House Stark and get ready for that war you've been hearing about.
Jon Snow (Kit Harington)
Credit: HBO/Helen Sloane
Who he is: Son of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen — one of the big reveals of "GoT" — but was earlier considered the "bastard" son of Ned Stark. He is heir to the throne.
When we last saw him: On that ship at sea en route to White Harbor, Jon and Dany get a little too cozy — they are, after all, aunt and nephew, unbeknownst to them. Bran — through his "greensight" — learned that Jon was in fact the rightful heir. Will he get the throne when the war is over? Will there be a throne to get?
Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage)
Credit: HBO/Helen Sloane
Who he is: Brother of Jaime and Cersei, he's the wittiest man in the Seven Kingdoms, also the most complicated.
When we last saw him: After all these seasons, Tyrion at long last has come to the side of Daenerys, his Queen. On the ship to White Harbor, he and Jon and Dany plan for the coming war; he also sees that Dany and Jon have a mutual attraction, possible consecrated.
Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke)
Credit: HBO/Helen Sloane
Who she is: Aka Dany, and Daenerys Stormborn, only daughter of King Aerys II Targaryen, who was slain by Jaime Lannister (aka the Kingslayer) during Robert's Rebellion, which unfolded before the events of "Game of Thrones." Dany, with the help of a pair of surviving dragons, intends to get back the crown that she believes is rightfully hers. Complicating matters, Jon Snow is the son of her brother, Rhaegar Targaryen — since deceased — and it would now appear that Jon, in fact, is the rightful heir.
When we last saw her: In season 7, she finally arrives back at Westeros and her place of birth — Dragonstone — along with Jon, Tyrion and Ser Davos. Late in the season, after that truce meeting with Cersei at Dragonpit, she and Jon board a ship that will take them to White Harbor — a major port in the north of Westeros — to rally their allies for the coming White Walker showdown. Jon and Dany also, umm, get cozy in Dany's cabin. Little do they know, she's his aunt.
Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner)
Credit: HBO/Helen Sloane
Who she is: Eldest daughter of Ned and Catelyn Stark, and one of "GoT's" key characters.
When we last saw her: By the end of season seven, sisters Sansa and Arya have at long last set aside their differences. She has now pledged her allegiance to Daenerys.
Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead-Wright)
Credit: HBO/Helen Sloane
Who he is: Fourth child, second son of Catelyn and Ned Stark (both deceased). Bran began the whole story, when Jaime pushed him off a tower he had climbed. Since then, Bran — with his newfound powers to see both the past and perhaps the future as three-eyed raven — has emerged as one of the most important characters in the Seven Kingdoms, and perhaps the key to "GoT."
When we last saw him: Bran used his so-called "greensight" to see the wedding of Rhaegar Targaryen — brother of Dany — and Lyanna Stark and also knows that the so-called Robert's Rebellion — which ended up deposing Rhaegar and Dany's father, Aerys — was based on a lie. He also now knows Jon is rightful heir to the throne. Meanwhile, he sees the Night King destroy a part of the Wall and knows that the worst is yet to come.
Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau)
Credit: HBO/Helen Sloane
Who he is: One of the major characters of "GoT," Jaime is son of Tywin Lannister — now deceased — and brother of Cersei, older bro of Tyrion. Also known as the Kingslayer, for it was he who put the Mad King — Dany's father — to the sword.
When we last saw him: Back in King's Landing, Jaime finally has an epic showdown with his sister. Turns out she had and has no intention of helping in the coming war against the dead; let them all fight it out! What does she have to lose? Infuriated, Jaime essentially tells her that she has everything to lose. He leaves King's Landing in disgust and rides north. He will join the fight.
Varys (Conleth Hill)
Credit: HBO/Helen Sloane
Who he is: Known as the Spider, he is a man of many secrets and has a vast network of spies and informants. Call him the King Whisperer, although at the moment he's a Queen Whisperer — to Daenerys.
When we last saw him: White Harbor, with Jon and Dany, who are joining forces to defeat the Night King.
Samwell Tarly (John Bradley)
Credit: HBO/Helen Sloane
Who he is: The nicest guy in the Seven Kingdoms — maybe the only nice guy — and also a steward of the Night's Watch, and Jon Snow's best friend. He's a dad now, too.
When we last saw him: Sam is back at Winterfell with Gilly and baby Sam, also keeper of a huge secret — that his pal Jon — whom we now know is Aegon Targaryen — is the true heir to the Iron Throne.
Missandei (Nathalie Emmanuel)
Credit: HBO/Macall B. Polay
Who she is: Former slave, now Daenerys' key adviser along with Grey Worm, also handmaiden.
When we last saw her: She's with Jon, Dany, Davos, et al, as they sail to White Harbor, in preparation for the titanic series-wrapping battle with the Night King.
Davos Seaworth (Liam Cunningham)
Credit: HBO/Helen Sloane
Who he is: A former smuggler who then served Stannis Baratheon — killed at Winterfell. Of more importance, he's one of the key guys who persuaded Melisandre to bring Jon Snow back to life. As such, he now Jon's right-hand man.
When we last saw him: At the end of season seven, he was back on the high seas, with Jon and Daenerys' combining forces as they head to White Harbor.
Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie)
Credit: HBO/Helen Sloane
Who she is: A famed warrior with dreams of becoming knight, that was alas denied her. Instead, she became one of the most important characters in "GoT," and savior of Sansa Stark.
When we last saw her: She was last seen at that Dragonpit armistice held between the various families. You can bet that Brienne will have a major role in the war — and winter — to come.
Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen)
Credit: HBO/Macall B. Polay
Who he is: Youngest son of Lord Balon Greyjoy, brother of Yara, poor Theon has had a rough ride in the series. He was first taken hostage by Eddard Stark — since deceased — following his father's failed rebellion to take the Iron Throne, then captured and tortured by sadist Ramsay Snow (since deceased), who renamed him Reek. But Theon — all things considered — is one of the good guys.
When we last saw him: Theon wants to save his sister, Yara, who has been kidnapped, and on a beach near Dragonstone, attempts to rally a force that will come to her rescue. This doesn't go well at first — nothing ever is easy for Theon — but he finally gets his troops. Help is on the way!
Gilly (Hannah Murray)
Credit: HBO/Helen Sloan
Who she is: Significant other of Samwell Tarly, now a mom.
When we last saw her: She left Oldtown with Sam and baby Sam, and arrives at Winterfell. The little family is getting ready for the big war to come.
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