When Did Game of Thrones Start Deviating from A Song of Ice and Fire and What Are the Key Differences

The HBO series Game of Thrones began to significantly deviate from George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF) book series starting in Season 6 which aired in 2016. Before that, the show generally followed the plotlines and character arcs of the books with some alterations and omissions.

Major Differences in Character Arcs and Fates

Several key differences emerged as the series progressed, particularly from Season 6 onward:

Sansa Stark

- In the show, Sansa Stark's character takes a different path. Her relationship with Ramsay Bolton is more traumatic and leads to her becoming a more politically savvy figure. In the books, her storyline diverges significantly and is less centered on trauma.

Jaime Lannister

- Jaime Lannister's character development in the show diverges from the books, especially regarding his relationship with Cersei and his redemption arc which is more pronounced in the show.

Different Plotlines

The show introduced some significant differences in how certain plotlines were portrayed:

Dorne

- The portrayal of Dorne and the Martells in the show is much less complex than in the books. Key characters like Arianne Martell do not appear, and the political intrigue surrounding Dorne is simplified.

The Night King and White Walkers

- The show's focus on the Night King and the White Walker storyline is more pronounced, culminating in the battle at Winterfell in Season 8, which diverges from the books' treatment of these elements.

The Iron Islands

- The show introduced the character Euron Greyjoy earlier and gave him a more significant role while in the books, he is a more complex character with a different storyline.

Bran Stark

- Bran Stark's journey and his role as the Three-Eyed Raven are explored differently in the show, particularly in the later seasons where his powers and implications for the story are more central.

Ending and Resolution

The most significant divergence came in the show's ending. The series concluded with Season 8, providing a definitive ending that diverges from the unfinished narrative of the books. Key plot points such as Daenerys Targaryen's fate and the resolution of the Iron Throne struggle are different from what is anticipated in the books.

Conclusion

While the first few seasons of Game of Thrones closely mirrored the books, the divergence became more pronounced as the series progressed, especially after Season 5. The showrunners, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, had to create their own narrative conclusions as the source material was still being developed, leading to significant differences in character arcs, plot developments, and overall themes.