Game Of Thrones: 5 Ways The Show Changed Sansa Stark From The Books (& 5 Ways She Stayed The Same)
Sansa Stark is one of the most important characters in Game of Thrones, but how does she measure against her book character?
Sansa Stark grew from an unlikely survivor to the last queen standing in HBO's Game Of Thrones. The television series remained almost entirely accurate to her early arc in George RR Martin's A Song Of Ice And Fire book series, depicting her origins in Winterfell and her tenuous captivity in King's Landing. However, season 5 saw the series divert from the source material and make significant changes to Sansa's story.
The second half of Sansa's show arc featured her gradual ascension to Queen in the North. Time will tell if her book counterpart meets the same queenly conclusion, or if a different endgame is in store. So far, here are five ways the show changed Sansa's story and five ways it stayed the same.
10 Changed: Leaving The Vale
Sansa spent the first half of the series as the Lannisters' hostage in King's Landing. In season 4, she finally escapes from the capitol when Joffrey is poisoned at his wedding feast, making a hasty escape with Littlefinger to the Vale.
Sansa's journey veers from the books in season 5. Instead of remaining in the Vale and learning about politics from Petyr Baelish, the lost Stark returns to Winterfell and marries Ramsay Bolton.
9 Stayed The Same: Losing Her Direwolf
The Stark children share a rare and mystical bond with their direwolves in A Song Of Ice And Fire. This makes the death of Sansa's direwolf Lady all the more tragic, as Sansa is cut off from her Northern heritage early in the series.
Game Of Thrones remained faithful in its adaptation of Lady's death. The direwolf is forced to pay for the crimes of her sister after Nymeria, defending Arya, bites Joffrey on the journey to King's Landing.
8 Changed: Marrying Ramsay Bolton
Sansa's second marriage is a show-only storyline that proved controversial amongst the fandom. After finally escaping from the Lannisters, Sansa finds herself at the mercy of an even bigger monster when Littlefinger convinces her to marry Ramsay Bolton.
Sansa's show arc in season 5 was merged with Jeyne Pool's story from the books. Sansa remains in the Vale masquerading as Alayne Stone, whilst her childhood friend Jeyne is forced to marry Ramsay under the false guise of 'Arya Stark.'
7 Stayed The Same: Marrying Tyrion Lannister
Sansa is spared from her second marriage in A Song Of Ice And Fire, but her forced nuptials to Tyrion still take place in the third book A Storm Of Swords. Tywin discovers the Tyrell plot to marry Sansa to Willas (replaced by Loras in the TV series) and quickly weds the Stark princess to Tyrion so the Lannisters can lay claim to Winterfell.
Sansa and Tyrion's brief tenure as husband and wife is similarly depicted. Tyrion refuses to consummate their marriage whilst Sansa hides her true feeling behind a courteous display.
6 Changed: The Plot To Marry Loras
Margaery and Olenna's plans for Sansa in season 3 were slightly altered from the books. In A Storm Of Swords, the Tyrells intend for Sansa to marry Willas instead of Loras; Willas is the heir to Highgarden and Loras has taken his vows as a Kingsguard.
Willas and Margaery's other brother Garlan was removed from the series, making Loras House Tyrell's sole heir. Olenna and Margaery plot for Loras to marry Sansa to extend their power over the North.
5 Stayed The Same: Her Relationship With Arya
Sansa shares a strained relationship with her sister Arya in the books and the show. The Stark sisters are polar opposites; Sansa flourishes in traditionally feminine roles, whereas the rebellious Arya wishes to pursue a path of her own.
Sansa and Arya struggled to get along throughout most of their childhood and turn on each other after reaching King's Landing. The Stark sisters begin to think more kindly of each other after their separation, however, promising a heartfelt reunion.
4 Changed: Betraying Ned To Cersei
Sansa is beguiled by the glamour of Queen Cersei when the royal party first arrives in Winterfell. The Lannister queen capitalizes on Sansa's youthful naivete and manipulates the budding queen-to-be to her advantage.
In the books, it is Sansa who informs Cersei of Ned Stark's plan to leave King's Landing. Sansa is unaware of Cersei's true nature and acts rashly to remain in King's Landing and marry Joffrey.
3 Stayed The Same: A Hostage In King's Landing
Sansa's arc remained largely faithful to the books following her father's death. The estranged Stark sibling becomes a hostage of House Lannister. Forced to remain in King's Landing, Sansa is abused by Joffrey until their betrothal is broken in favor of Margaery and she is forced to marry Tyrion.
Sansa's storyline in the show mirrors her book counterpart's. She remains in King's Landing for the first half of the series before finally fleeing the city in season 4's "Breaker Of Chains."
2 Changed: Being Disinherited In Robb's Will
Sansa's show arc concluded with her coronation as the new Queen in the North, but it remains unanswered if this will be her endgame in the books. In A Storm Of Swords, King Robb Stark disinherits Sansa after learning of her marriage to Tyrion, legitimizing Jon Snow and proclaiming him his heir.
Robb acts to prevent the Lannisters from inheriting Winterfell, but his actions could have long-term consequences for his sister. With Rickon also alive in the books, Sansa's resolution remains unclear.
1 Stayed The Same: Falling For Joffrey
Another aspect of Sansa's arc that remained faithful in its adaptation was her initial love for Joffrey. The 'Baratheon' prince pretended to be a perfect gentleman at his mother's behest, manipulating Sansa's feelings and slowly waging war on the Starks.
A Game Of Thrones, the first book in the Song Of Ice And Fire series, depicts the same love-struck adoration Sansa feels for Joffrey. The Stark princess soon learns harsh truths about life as she is forced to navigate an increasingly dangerous web of enemies. Sansa's storyline diverted from the books mid-series, though her early depictions were mostly faithful to the source material.