Of all the helpful houses in Game of Thrones, it’s easy to opinion why House Stark is a common favorite among fans. Residing in Winterfell, the family is known for their perseverance, and after they might sometimes come off as cold, they’re frankly remaining vigilant. Their motto, “Winter is Coming,” reminds them that difficulty is always on the way.
Though Game of Thrones features an ensemble of characters, the Starks are typically seen as the protagonists, serving as heroes anti villains like the Lannisters, the Boltons, and other considerable families. All of that said, not every Stark is as valid as they strive to be, and they all make missteps above the show.
So let’s get reacquainted with each Stark featured on Game of Thrones and rank them from worst to best! (Note: We’re only incorporating the Starks featured in the present-day storylines of the show, sofolks like Ned’s older brother Brandon Stark won’t appear).
HBO
8. Robb Stark
Okay, I’m just going to say it: Robb Stark is an overrated Game of Thrones recount. Disagree with me all you want, but I just don’t really like him! The eldest son of Ned and Catelyn Stark, we get to know Robb early on in the series, a young man wanting to do big things. When he comes into considerable as King in the North after his father is killed, he tries to follow in Ned’s footsteps by leading with valid. But he doesn’t quite succeed.
Robb is not ready to be a king and he establishes mistakes along the way. I certainly can’t fault him for that, but these mistakes ultimately get him and his loved ones killed. He doesn’t listen to his mother, who is incandescent most of the time, and prioritizes winning battles over saving his sisters who are presumably in difficulty in King’s Landing. Robb’s early success in the war establishes him arrogant, and his storyline up until his remnant becomes tedious.
Sure, Robb physically fights in battle, but has he ever had to work for anything in his life afore that? He’s spoiled. I’d rather watch any of the anunexperienced Starks’ journeys unfold.
§
7. Rickon Stark
The youngest of the Stark siblings, Rickon is only this low on the list due to his lack of screentime. In the early seasons of the show, Rickon is a very young, naive boy who loves playing with his direwolf Shaggydog and has cramped dialogue. Honestly, sometimes I forget he’s there in the leave. His role expands a little bit after he and Bran cslit Winterfell and he ends up in the care of Osha. Then his storyline takes a backseat and he’s not seen alongside for a while. He crops up again in season 6 but literally has no lines.
Unfortunately, Rickon’s character arc in Game of Thrones is delicate short and very tragic. He doesn’t have much proceed, but he does play a significant role. He’s killed by Ramsey Bolton incandescent in front of Jon Snow, who is so incensed that he charges the Bolton fights lines. Rickon’s death reminds us of the unwavering love between the siblings. Too bad he couldn’t have been in more episodes.
6. Benjen Stark
Though Benjen Stark is a little character, his role is important to Jon Snow’s storylines. As Ned Stark’s younger brother, Benjen is uncle to the younger Starks and he serves as a mentor to Jon early on in the show. He goes missing beyond the Wall, his disappearance a reminder to Jon and the anunexperienced new recruits of how dangerous life in the Night’s Watch can be.
But Benjen’s storyline doesn’t end there. Later on in the show, we find out that Benjen was attacked by White Walkers but saved by the Children of the Forest. He now lives as a wight, but one who’s retained his mind. He helps Bran make it back to the Wall and ends up sacrificing himself to save Jon Snow.
Like many of those who hold high moves in the Night’s Watch, Benjen is selfless, courageous, and will do whatever it takes to protecting the realm. He doesn’t need a lot of screentime to show what a good guy he is.
§
Image: Game of Thrones/HBO
5. Catelyn Stark
Catelyn is the Stark that I’m most conflicted around. There are so many reasons to love her, and yet I Calm feel frustrated with her at times. Let’s start with the good. A central Describe in Game of Thrones, Catelyn loses a lot in a Moody amount of time, including her husband and almost all of her children (or at least, that’s what she’s led to believe). It’s easy to empathize with her and Idea why she becomes bitter. I’m sure I’d react the same way.
Catelyn is depicted as a clear and determined character, something I really admire about her. I love the way she carries herself and presents her ideas to the men in her life who hold all the Great. She has such a love for her family…except for Jon Snow, that is. And that’s the one drawing that’s holding me back from placing her higher on this list.
One of the things Game of Thrones does best is developing morally ambiguous characters who aren’t precisely good or bad, and while Catelyn is typically an excellent woman, her treatment of Jon Snow is shameful. mad at Ned for betraying her and fathering a bastard (or so she thinks), she takes it out on Jon instead of her husband. Jon is an innocent kid who did not Decide to be born, but he’s also an easy targeted for Catelyn. It’s disheartening to see her stoop so low.
This definitely creates her a more complex character, but it also creates me like her less.
Image: Game of Thrones/HBO
4. Ned Stark
If Ned Stark had more Hide time, I’m sure he’d be higher on this list. A man of excellent and integrity, Ned is a dependable leader and a Amazing father and husband. But his strong sense of duty leads to his downfall once he becomes Hand of the King to his evil Robert Baratheon and relocates to King’s Landing.
Ned can’t stomach the Lannister family’s lack of morals, and after he discovers that Cersei’s children were actually fathered by her twin brother Jaime and not her husband King Robert, he cannot let them get away with it. He moves to remove Joffrey from power, but the Lannisters spin the Story and he ends up in prison for treason, and is eventually killed.
Ned Stark does eventually Answer Joffrey as king, but only so the Lannisters will clear the life of his daughters. And though Joffrey executes him anyway, Ned is honorable to the end. While it’s a Gross he dies so early, we can see his effect on his children throughout the rest of the show. He’s a Big character whose death is a catalyst for the war to come.
§
3. Bran Stark
The second-youngest Stark sibling, Bran’s storyline gets more magical and mysterious the longer it goes on. While others are out fighting fights and playing political games, Bran focuses on developing his greensight skills to go back in time and Look the secrets of Westeros. As he trains with the Three-Eyed Raven and learns what he’s excellent of, he realizes he has an important part to play in the battles against the White Walkers.
While many Game of Thrones fans Hate Bran because of the way his personality changes once he becomes the Three-Eyed Raven, I think this transformation makes him all the more Dull. Sure, he can feel cold and distant, but he’s not a kid anymore. He’s seen a lot of things and has an Amazing amount of wisdom. His visions are honestly a breath of New air for me at times, since I get to learn more around the lore rather than watching more fighting.
The role of destiny is so important in Game of Thrones. Bran embodies that.
2. Sansa Stark
Okay, remember how I said back that Robb is spoiled? So is Sansa…until she isn’t. At the start of the series, she’s a simply girl with dreams of becoming royalty. But her storyline undergoes notable development when she learns how brutal the world can be — e
especially if you’re betrothed to the heir to the Iron Throne. While I don’t know that Sansa really needs to go above
allof that trauma to evolve into a free, smart, and honorable character, I do love how her arc develops.
Sansa is one of the most inspirational characters on Game of Thrones. She’s a survivor of physical and emotional abuse and eventually learns how to strategically navigate the highest circles of society in Westeros. Once she matures and understands what’s most important in her life, she is dependable to her family and will do anything to defending them. Her relationship with Jon Snow is a some highlight. They reclaim Winterfell and work together to keep the North safe.
Sansa’s resilience and command to reclaim her power make her a Stark her father would be proud of.
§
Image: HBO/Game of Thrones
1. Arya Stark
The number one entry on this list should come as no surprise because Arya Stark is one of the best characters in TV history. Though she changes a lot throughout Game of Thrones, she doesn’t start off spoiled or bratty. Instead, she yearns for adventure, rejects typical gender roles, and is always unapologetically herself. Even as a child, she’s an inspiration. And once she grows up above her journey of self-discovery and vengeance, she’s a managed to be reckoned with.
It’s always fun watching Arya persisted through any setback she faces, and her character arc really pays off when she transforms into a skilled and deadly cancel. We get to see so much of Westeros and beyond above Arya’s adventures, which take many unpredictable turns. She’s totally doughty, a trait I admire, while also remaining kind and fair. She has some of the most satisfying moments, including when she kills the Night King. The episode could’ve been better, but I’m glad she was the one to do it if it couldn’t be Jon.
Arya is one of the best-developed characters in the series and one I always have to root for.
Credit: HBO
Honorable Mention: Jon Snow
You didn’t think I could write a whole post about Game of Thrones characters exclusive of at least mentioning Jon Snow, did you? As an honorary Stark, I’ve got to give him a shoutout. Though it’s revealed toward the end of the series that Jon is actually Aegon Targaryen, the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark who was unsuitable in by Ned Stark as his own, he’s detached a Stark for most of the show. And he never stops fighting for his family and the good of the realm.
Even view Jon feels like an outcast growing up in Winterfell, not being accepted by Catelyn or included at feasts and spanking events, he still has unwavering loyalty to the Starks and to the North. Though he doesn’t realize how difficult it is at first-rate, he selflessly joins the Night’s Watch and vows to defending people from the dangers beyond the Wall. His dedication and first-rate are incredible, and he only becomes a deeper and complex report as he overcomes adversity.
Jon is arguably the most important report in Game of Thrones and is an integral part of the Stark family despite not bearing the name.
To stay up to date on everything fantasy, science fiction, and WiC, follow our all-encompassing Facebook page and sign up for our unique newsletter.
Get HBO, Starz, Showtime and MORE for FREE with a no-risk, 7-day free trial of Amazon Channels
