The Women Who Rule ‘Game of Thrones’

There was a time not long ago when HBO’s Game of Thrones came under dragon-fire from feminist critics over the show’s depiction of rape and male-dominated action. But as the fantasy series heads into Sunday’s Season 7 finale, the landscape of Westeros has changed considerably.

A woman sits on the Iron Throne, albeit the evil Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey), and her biggest threat to that seat of power is the Mother of Dragons, Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke). And arguably the fiercest warrior in the land is pint-sized Arya Stark (Maisie Williams).

So to help keep Game of Thrones fans warm through the long winter that’s coming before the series’ eighth and final season, RealClearLife celebrates the 19 women (or at least 19 featured actresses) of the Seven Kingdoms.

Daenerys Targaryen-Emilia Clarke

(HBO)

Sansa Stark-Sophie Turner

(HBO)

Arya Stark-Maisie Williams

(HBO)

Cersei Lannister-Lena Headey

(HBO)

Gilly-Hannah Murray

(HBO)

Melisandre-Carice van Houten

(HBO)

Meera Reed-Elle Kendrick

(HBO)

Brienne of Tarth-Gwendoline Christie

(HBO)

Missandei-Nathalie Emmanuel

(HBO)

Yara Greyjoy-Gemma Whelan

(HBO)

Margaery Tyrell-Natalie Dormer

(HBO)

Olenna Tyrell-Diana Rigg

(HBO)

Ygritte-Rose Leslie

(HBO)

Shae-Sibel Kekilli

(HBO)

Catelyn Stark-Michelle Fairley

(HBO)

Ellaria Sand-Indira Varma

(HBO)

Nymeria Sand-Jessica Henwick

(HBO)

Tyrene Sand-Rosabell Laurenti Sellers

(HBO)

Obara Sand-Keisha Castle-Hughes

(HBO)

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