Buzz
With over 4,200 pages across the first five books of A Song of Ice and Fire, the source material for HBO’s Game of Thrones, it’s inevitable that the show’s creators had to trim down George R.R. Martin’s expansive cast. Characters like Areo Hotah and others on this list may not have made it to the screen, but they remain unforgettable to fans of the books.
(Note: Mild spoilers ahead for those new to the Game of Thrones series.)
1. PATCHFACE
For reasons unknown, show creators D.B. Weiss and David Benioff decided to exclude Game of Thrones’ unsettling psychic jester, Patchface. In George R.R. Martin’s books, Patchface serves as Stannis Baratheon’s court fool and is one of the few companions of his daughter, Shireen. Discovered as a young slave by Stannis’ father, Steffon, during a voyage, Patchface was freed and brought home to entertain the family. Tragically, Steffon and his wife died in a shipwreck, leaving Patchface as the lone survivor. Found three days later, he emerged half-mad, with no recollection of his survival, and now communicates in cryptic riddles that sometimes foreshadow events like the Red Wedding. Adding to his eerie persona, his face and head are adorned with red and green square tattoos, earning him the name “Patchface.”
2. THE GREYJOY UNCLES
With Yara (Asha in the books) Greyjoy barely getting screen time, it’s no shock that her three uncles—Victarion, Euron, and Aeron Greyjoy—were entirely omitted. In the novels, they play pivotal roles in a sprawling power struggle within the Iron Islands, which eventually spills into neighboring regions. Victarion, a fierce naval commander wielding an axe, even serves as a point-of-view character in books four and five. Euron is the quintessential pirate, while Aeron is a zealot devoted to the Drowned God.
3. PENNY
In the fifth season of Game of Thrones, Tyrion sets off with Varys to Meereen to assess Daenerys Targaryen’s potential as an ally. However, in the books, his journey is far more meandering, filled with drunken escapades before he finally aligns with Daenerys’ cause (though they have yet to meet). Along the way, he befriends Penny, a young dwarf who, along with her brother Oppo, worked as entertainers—most notably at Joffrey and Margaery’s wedding, where they rode a pig and a dog to mock Tyrion. While a similar scene appeared in the show, Penny herself was cut. A widely speculated fan theory posits that Penny might be Tyrion’s daughter, adding a layer of awkwardness to her infatuation with him, a twist fitting for Game of Thrones.
4. VARGO HOAT
The ruthless leader of a mercenary group once hired by the Boltons, Vargo Hoat is infamous for severing Jaime Lannister’s hand and nearly getting Brienne of Tarth killed by a bear. While his role was adapted in the show by Locke (Noah Taylor), the two characters differ significantly. Hoat, a sellsword, initially serves Tywin Lannister before betraying him for Roose Bolton, whereas Locke remains fiercely loyal to Ramsay Bolton. Unlike Locke, who ventures to the Wall in season four, Hoat meets his end at Harrenhal, slain by Gregor Clegane. Additionally, Hoat’s eccentric personality, marked by his distinctive lisp (“You thlew my bear!”), sets him apart from Locke’s more serious demeanor.
5. EDRIC STORM
Edric Storm, one of King Robert Baratheon’s many bastards, was born from a tryst with Delena Florent on Stannis Baratheon’s wedding night—on Stannis’ own wedding bed, no less. Stannis, understandably bitter, sent Edric to be raised at Storm’s End under Renly’s care. Later, Stannis brought the boy, now a spirited and prideful 12-year-old, to Dragonstone, placing him dangerously close to Melisandre, who has a penchant for sacrificing those with royal blood. Fearing for Edric’s life, Davos Seaworth smuggled him across the Narrow Sea to safety. In the show, Edric’s arc was merged with Gendry’s (Joe Dempsie), who remains in Westeros in the books.
6. JEYNE WESTERLING
Similar to Vargo Hoat and Edric Storm, Jeyne Westerling was sidelined in favor of another character on the show. As the daughter of a lesser noble house and Robb Stark’s wife (replacing Talisa), Jeyne tended to Robb after he was injured in battle. During his recovery, Robb learned of Bran and Rickon’s supposed deaths and the destruction of Winterfell. Overwhelmed by grief, he found solace in Jeyne, leading to their union. Unlike the grand romance depicted on screen, their relationship was more grounded, yet genuine love is evident in Jeyne’s mourning after Robb’s death. Unlike Talisa, Jeyne survived the Red Wedding, and there are subtle hints in the books that she might be carrying Robb’s child—though, given Martin’s style, this could easily be a misdirection.
7. STRONG BELWAS
Despite his minor role in the overarching narrative, Strong Belwas has earned a loyal fanbase, making his absence from the show disappointing. A eunuch and former pit fighter from Meereen, Belwas teams up with Barristan Selmy to serve Daenerys in A Clash of Kings, becoming one of her trusted allies. Known for his larger-than-life personality, Belwas is still alive in the books, famously challenging Meereen’s champion in a scene that was adapted for Daario Naharis (Michiel Huisman) in the show. However, Belwas’ unique way of disrespecting his opponents—by relieving himself in front of the city—was notably omitted.
8. ARIANNE MARTELL
Arianne Martell’s exclusion from Game of Thrones sparked significant backlash among fans. As the eldest child of Doran Martell (Alexander Siddig), Arianne is the rightful heir to Dorne, bypassing her younger brothers due to Dornish laws that disregard primogeniture. A pivotal point-of-view character in A Feast for Crows, Arianne’s absence stripped the show of its “most feminist plotline” and a rare example of gender equality in a series often criticized for its treatment of women. With Trystane Martell listed as Dorne’s heir in the show and no casting announcement for Arianne, her inclusion seems unlikely. However, she isn’t the only Martell to face such a fate...
9. QUENTYN MARTELL
Ah, Quentyn. The well-meaning but ill-fated Martell. In A Dance with Dragons, Doran Martell dispatches his eldest son on a covert mission to Meereen to wed Daenerys, fulfilling an ancient pact to unite the Martells and Targaryens in their quest for the Iron Throne. Quentyn embodies the classic fantasy archetype: a brave young prince on a daring mission to win the heart of a queen and tame dragons. However, true to George R.R. Martin’s style, Quentyn’s story ends tragically. Daenerys dismisses the idea of marrying a stranger, and his desperate attempt to prove himself by confronting her dragons results in a gruesome, fiery demise. By the end of A Dance with Dragons, Doran remains unaware of his son’s tragic fate.
10. COLDHANDS
Coldhands stands out as one of the most glaring omissions from the show, much to the dismay of book readers. (The other notable absence is a character who technically appeared in the show, so they don’t qualify for this list. Additionally, there’s speculation they might still appear [warning: major spoilers at the link], whereas Coldhands’ chances seem slim.) Resembling a wight but retaining the ability to speak, Coldhands aids key characters like Samwell and Bran during their journeys beyond the Wall, earning him the title of Friendly Neighborhood Ice Zombie.
Fans have theorized extensively about Coldhands’ true identity—ranging from Benjen Stark (a theory Martin has debunked) to the Night’s King or Ser Waymar Royce—and his ultimate motives. Despite his popularity in fan discussions, the show has completely written him out. While there’s a slim chance he could appear in some form, the show’s progression past his pivotal scenes makes this unlikely.
