Fifteen years ago, Game of Thrones aired on HBO and changed the lives of countless audience members, introducing them to the wonderful world of Westeros. Still, the common consensus among hardcore fans is that George R. R. Martin's original source material, his A Song of Ice and Fire novels, surpasses the show's quality, even with the TV series at its peak.
However, this isn't to say the show is an entirely inferior version of the books. Several changes made to Game of Thrones, such as the Arya (Maisie Williams) and Tywin (Charles Dance) duo from Season 2, splitting up the third book, A Storm of Swords, into seasons 3 and 4, and the in-depth friendship between Davos (Liam Cunningham) and Shireen Baratheon (Kerry Ingram), all feel like a step up from their counterparts in Martin's manuscripts.
Similarly, these five characters aren't necessarily noteworthy in A Song of Ice and Fire, but thanks to an expanded role, a different direction, and great acting, they've all become major fan favorites on Game of Thrones and any spin-offs.
Missandei and Grey Worm
In the books, Missandei (Nathalie Emmanuel) and Grey Worm (Jacob Anderson) have nothing to do with each other. While both come from Astapor, they have little else in common and barely interact. Given that in the book Missandei is a young girl, she'd have no reason to spend any time with the battle-hardened commander of the Unsullied.
However, Game of Thrones ages up Missandei, and, shortly after the two first meet when Missandei offers Grey Worm linguistics lessons, they fall in love. Their romance becomes one of the most compelling in the entire series and results in expanded roles for them both. Despite a frustrating ending for the pair, Missandei and Grey Worm are leagues more fun on screen than their book counterparts.
Ser Lyonel Baratheon
In The Hedge Knight, Martin's first Dunk and Egg short story, Lyonel Baratheon (Daniel Ings) is just another name to remember. Nicknamed "The Laughing Storm," the novella is too short to give him too much page time, and he ends up fading into the background for most of the story.
However, in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 1, HBO's adaptation of The Hedge Knight, Ings breathes a new life into Lyonel. His charisma is undeniable, stealing just about every scene he graces. Due to the extended runtime of the show, several supporting characters, most notably Lyonel, ended up with much more to do on screen and, therefore, much more development, personality, and charm.
Olenna Tyrell
Due to the structure of Martin's books, Lady Olenna Tyrell (Diana Rigg) never appears much. Because there has never been a Tyrell point-of-view chapter, the matriarch of Highgarden's appearances are few and far between. Her story is mostly told from the perspective of Sansa (Sophie Turner) and Cersei (Lena Headey).
However, the show's omniscient point-of-view allows for more scenes of Olenna on her own or with her granddaughter Margaery (Natalie Dormer), adding dimensions to the character. For example, the scene where she confesses to Joffrey's (Jack Gleeson) murder, explaining to Margaery just how far she'll go to protect her family, expands on the character, making her a pitch-perfect foil to several major figures throughout the series. Plus, with Dame Diana Rigg in the role, Olenna is able to go toe-to-toe with Tywin and, later, Cersei, several times, constantly proving to be a thorn in the Lannisters' side.
Oberyn Martell
Oberyn Martell's (Pedro Pascal) time in A Song of Ice and Fire is relatively brief. He first appears towards the middle of A Storm of Swords, coming to King's Landing under the guise of attending Joffrey's wedding while, in actuality, he's seeking revenge against Tywin Lannister and Gregor Clegane (Hafþór JúlÃus Björnsson) for the rape and murder of his sister, Elia Martell. Sadly, Oberyn dies representing Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) in a trial by combat against Clegane, potentially taking the Mountain down with him.
Given that the second half of A Storm of Swords is its own season of Game of Thrones, Oberyn receives far more focus on screen. He also acts as the audience's first glimpse into Dornish culture, which contrasts to the far more conservative and prudish King's Landing lifestyle in a really fun way. Show Oberyn became synonymous with season 4, arguably the best season in the show, and helped turn his actor into a superstar.
Ser Jorah Mormont
Ser Jorah Mormont (Iain Glen) is one of the most despicable characters in the books. He's been banished from Westeros for selling slaves and later forces a kiss on the much younger Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke). When she finally banishes him from Meereen for having spied on her, it's a genuine relief for her to be free of her first, and worst, advisor.
However, Game of Thrones takes Jorah in an entirely different direction. He shows genuine remorse for his past crimes, and while this version of the character still has feelings for Daenerys, he knows nothing will ever come of them. While Jorah is still not a "good person," the show's perspective gives him more layers and makes him far more complex than he is on the page.
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