In 2019, with just weeks to go before the final season of Game of Thrones, British outlet The Independent decided to settle things once and for all by ranking the best and worst characters from HBO’s hit series. The journalists compiled a list of 70 characters — from the most striking to, frankly, the most useless. The results turned out to be surprising, even for the show’s most loyal fans.
The Best: Lannisters, Who Would Have Thought?
First place went to Cersei Lannister — not for her villainy, but for the complexity of her character and her iron resolve. She was seen as the most layered and tragically compelling figure, despite the horrors she committed. Second came Tyrion, the fan favorite with his ironic worldview. Rounding out the top three was Jaime Lannister, who, according to the writers, earned his place among the best for his journey from arrogant knight to sincere and loyal man.
Who Made the Worst List
The most useless character was named as Rickon Stark — the younger brother of Jon and Arya. The dullest of the Starks never got a proper storyline or any memorable lines. In the series, he was more of a 'Chekhov’s gun', used only to hurt characters the audience cared about.
Next on the list was Robin Arryn, the spoiled boy from the Eyrie, best known for his obsessive love of breastfeeding well into childhood. Third from the bottom was Renly Baratheon — remembered, according to the list, mostly for his unusual death.
Yes, Joffrey Baratheon and Ramsay Bolton didn’t make the top of the worst list — because, while undeniably despicable and sadistic, they still had a degree of charisma. And if you were expecting Jon Snow or Daenerys to take the crown — sorry. According to The Independent and those surveyed, those characters were still outshined in depth by those wearing golden lions on their chests.
