Game Of Thrones: Seven Characters Who Disappeared

Game of Thrones often undergoes radical cast changes from season to season, a side effect of the frequent deaths that defines the show.While most of the show’s departed cast left due to their characters dying off, several prominent characters seemingly disappeared, sometimes for seasons at a time.This season, Game of Thrones brought back a host of missing characters, including Bran and Rickon Stark and Yara and Balon Greyjoy, so it’s certainly possible we’ll see a few other long missing characters make a return this year.Here’s seven Game of Thrones characters that haven’t made their dramatic comeback to the land of Westeros:

Gendry

One of Robert Baratheon’s many bastards, the blacksmith’s apprentice Gendry was one of Arya’s traveling companions until Melisandre took him from the Brotherhood without Banners to use in a blood ritual that would allegedly secure Stannis Baratheon’s path to victory. However, Gendry escaped Storm’s End before Melisandre could complete the ritual with the help of Ser Davos, who wound up imprisoned for treason as a result.  We last saw Gendry rowing away from Storm’s End in a small boat for parts unknown.  In the books, Gendry remained with the Brotherhood without Banners and Melisandre used one of Robert’s other bastards for the ritual, so it’s unclear if Gendry will ever return in the books. 

Beric Dondarrion

The leader of the Brotherhood without Banners, a rebel group opposing the Lannisters during the War of the Five Kings, Beric Dondarrion was notable not for how he lived, but rather how he died.  Beric was one of the war’s first casualties, murdered by Gregor Clegane in a failed attempt to arrest the monstrous knight for pillaging the countryside.  However, his friend Thoros of Myr unwittingly resurrected Beric using a prayer to the Lord of Light.  Beric formed the Brotherhood and died several additional times, most notably against Gregor’s brother Sandor, only to be restored to life over and over.  Beric and his men were last seen heading towards the Red Wedding with the hopes of ransoming Arya to Robb and Catelyn Stark, but their plans were scuttled when Arya escaped their custody.

In the books, Beric dies one final time in order to resurrect Catelyn Stark, who becomes the vengeance driven Lady Stoneheart and new leader of the Brotherhood without Banners.  Since Game of Thrones seems to have omitted Lady Stoneheart from the story, it’s unclear if Beric will have any other role to play on the show. 

Benjen Stark

Ned Stark’s younger brother, Benjen Stark was the First Ranger of the Night’s Watch who disappeared early in the first season beyond the Wall.  Benjen’s Stark led to the disastrous Great Ranging, in which most of the Night’s Watch rode beyond the Wall and were slaughtered by an army of wights.  While he’s still mentioned from time to time, no one knows what happened to Benjen, although he’s almost certainly dead by now.  

In the books, Benjen is still missing, although Bran and his friends are led to the Three Eyed Raven by a character called Coldhands, who roughly matches Benjen’s description.  As his name suggests, Coldhands is implied to be an undead wight himself, so even if Benjen does appear on Game of Thrones again, his chances of survival are pretty low. 

Thoros of Myr

Melisandre isn’t the only worshipper of R’hllor living in Westeros.  Thoros of Myr was a Red Priest sent to convert King Robert Baratheon to the religion of the Lord of Light.  Instead, he became Robert’s drinking and whoring companion and a stalwart ally of the king.  Known for wielding a flaming sword during battle, Thoros resurrected Beric Dondarrion when the warrior fell in battle against Gregor Clegane.  The two later founded the Brotherhood without Banners in order to protect the “smallfolk” during the War of the Five Kings.  Thoros told Melisandre of Beric’s resurrection, which came in handy when Melisandre resurrected Jon Snow later this season. Rumors indicate Thoros will return this season on Game of Thrones, but it’s unclear who he’ll come into contact with.

Edmure Tully

Catelyn Stark’s well meaning but thoughtless brother, Edmure Tully unwittingly helped bring about the destruction of the Stark and Tully armies. After Robb lost a portion of his army after he executed Rickard Karstark for murdering two Lannister prisoners, the Stark/Tully forces had no choice but to turn to Walder Frey for support in order to continue their war against the Lannisters. While Frey and Stark had an alliance, Robb had reneged on a promise to marry one of Walder Frey’s daughters at the conclusion of the war by marrying Talisa Maegyr instead.  Edmure offered to marry one of Frey’s daughters instead, which led to the Red Wedding, in which Rob, Catelyn and the bulk of the Stark army were betrayed and murdered. Edmure survived the Red Wedding and currently sits in Frey captivity, his future fate unknown.

In the books, Edmure, as a captive of the Freys and Lannisters, convinces the remaining Tully forces to surrender peacefully before Jaime sends him to Lannister territory as a hostage.   

Brynden Tully

Better known as the Blackfish, Brynden Tully was Robb Stark’s uncle and one of his most capable and loyal advisers during the War of the Five Kings. Like the rest of Robb’s inner circle, Brynden was present for the Red Wedding, but survived only because he left the wedding ceremony to use the bathroom moments before the Freys murdered all the Stark forces.  He disappeared and hasn’t resurfaced.

In the books, Brynden remained at Riverrun for the Red Wedding and later held the castle against Lannister forces until Jaime Lannister forced his nephew Edmure to surrender Riverrun peacefully.  Brynden escaped before the surrender and remains at large.  Allegedly, Brynden will return in Season 6, but it’s unclear how he’ll feature into Game of Thrones’ plot. 

Walder Frey

One of the masterminds behind the Red Wedding, Walder Frey was Robb Stark’s supposed ally who took offense when Robb went back on a promise to marry one of his daughters.  While Walder publicly remained allies with the Starks, he secretly plotted with Roose Bolton and Tywin Lannister to finish the Starks off once and for all.  While Roose’s bastard son Ramsey retook Winterfell from Theon Greyjoy, Roose married Walda Frey and personally murdered Robb Stark himself.  In the aftermath of the Red Wedding, Walder gained control of the Riverlands and protection from any lingering Northern forces by Bolton and Tywin Lannister.  However, Ramsey’s murder of Roose and Walda and the death of Tywin leaves Walder Frey in a seemingly dangerous position.

In the books, Walder Frey’s many sons and descendants are the victims of many acts of revenge for the Red Wedding.  While several Freys sent to assist the Boltons are murdered near Winterfell, others are killed by the Brotherhood without Banners, which is now led by the resurrected and disfigured Catelyn Stark.  However, Walder is still alive, although it seems as if the entire North is itching to kill him.