Game Of Thrones: 11 Characters Who've Changed Most Since Season 1

5. Arya Stark

Game Of Thrones Arya Stark Season 1 7
HBO

Then

The rather un-ladylike daughter of Ned Stark, Arya refused to play by the rules a girl of her birth was supposed to. She frequently argued with sister Sansa, and was more of an outcast than the other Stark children, which is why she was so close to Jon Snow - who gifted her the sword, Needle, in Season 1. She travels to King's Landing with her family, where she learns the art of 'water dancing' under Syrio Forel. However, when Ned is arrested she flees, living on the streets and then being in the crowd for his execution, before being whisked off to the Wall by Yoren (along with Hot Pie, Lommy, and Gendry).

Now

Arya is one of the most travelled characters on the show, her journey taking her from King's Landing to Harrenhal, through the Riverlands to the Vale, over to Braavos and now the Twins, and probably home to Winterfell next.

Along the way, she's served as a cupbearer for Tywin and been forced to partner-up with the Hound - in two of the show's best character pairings to-date, no less. She's been forced to kill, and lost any sense of a childhood she may once have had, becoming a lot harder in the process. She trained forever to become No One, but ultimately remained Arya Stark. There are still signs of the old Arya in there, but this version is a much more ruthless and revenge-fuelled girl.

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NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.