Years of theories surrounding Game of Thrones are finally about to pay off. Will any of your long-held beliefs prove out? What will Season 8 have in store for viewers? We have compiled our top 31 theories by combing the internet, so weigh-in on your thoughts and predications below and as always ... spoilers lie ahead, so you have been forewarned.
1. The Night King Will Raise Winterfell’s Dead
The Season 8 teaser was set in Winterfell’s crypt with the dead narrating, and Arya saying, “I know death, he’s got many faces. I look forward to seeing this one.” Could the familiar face Arya is looking forward to be the rise of her family members? Ned, Catelyn, and Lyanna Stark are all buried in the tomb, will they rise again in the final season? And if that’s the case, in what form? Would the fandom reject the Starks reanimated? It would certainly be an interesting twist. Learn more.
2. Could Bran’s Powers End The War?
For the most part, Bran has used his powers passively to eavesdrop on the past and observe the realm, but could Bran be incited to use his powers to shift the tide of war? Fans speculate he could warg into one of the dragons (perhaps Wight Viserion) or a critical leader to protect his friends and family, but is Bran too committed to allowing the future to play out as it will? Bran will certainly be tested, but will he rise to the occasion? Learn more.
3. Robin Arryn … Leader Of The Realm?
A new, and slightly unpopular theory, is that Robin Arryn may wind up atop the Iron Throne. Yes, the sniveling child that we met at the beginning of the show, could become the Westeros’ leader. Theorists postulate that House Arryn has stood largely neutral throughout the conflict, failing to make enemies of the houses who are currently at war. Additionally, Robin’s father is truly the one who began our story, so wouldn’t it be fitting that his heir would end up ruling? Stranger things have happened. Read more.
4. Will Greyscale Be The White Walkers’ Undoing?
A popular fan theory is that Greyscale, the plague which almost ended Jorah Mormont’s life, could become a factor in the final season of the show. Jorah is now immune to the disease and may enter Valyria on Dany’s orders to bring back the steel which kills White Walkers. Could Jorah be the ultimate hero of the story, incapable of magical control and able to inoculate the White Walker population? Read more.
5. The White Walkers Will Die By Wildfire
A recent theory reminds us that there is still an explosive amount of Wildfire stored beneath King’s Landing. Presumably it is enough to wipe out the White Walker army, but with only a precious few knowing about the deadly substance, could one of those closest to the secrets of King’s Landing end up luring the Wights to their deaths?
6. Cersei Becomes The Night King’s Queen
This theory is a bit out there, but it has gained traction as of late. While Cersei did seem repulsed by the Wight delivered to the parley at King’s Landing, she would do almost anything to gain an advantage over Jon and Dany. Would she willingly become the Night King’s Queen if it meant she would rule? She bends a knee to no one, so we wouldn’t put it past her.
7. The Iron Bank May Soon Sit On The Iron Throne
Never discount the pull of money when it comes to navigating the power ladder. While the Iron Bank has largely been a reasonable party and just a nagging problem for the indebted Lannisters over the course of the show, it would be foolhardy to think that they will just go away in the end. With a history shrouded in shadows, could the Iron Bank ultimately sit atop the Iron Throne in the end? Learn more.
8. Jaime Lannister Will Become The Ultimate “Kingslayer”
A recent theory has risen to fans’ minds that fulfills Jaime Lannister’s ultimate purpose. Jaime is presently headed north to fight an enemy he’s never fought, could his nickname “Kingslayer” be more than just pejorative? Is he destined to kill the Night King? He has Joffrey’s Valyarian steel sword at his side and we know it kills White Walkers. Will Jaime end the war? Learn more.
9. Lady Stoneheart Will Live
While producers have all but ruled out a return of Catelyn Stark to the series, a zombie-fied version of “Lady Stoneheart” -- a murderous undead assassin bent on avenging her family, has been a constant source of speculation. Arya becoming Lady Stoneheart is the most likely assumption, but Sansa has equal if not more vengeance to wreak. Will either of the two Stark women become her? Learn more.
10. Is Sam a Targaryen … And Azor Ahai?
We’ve already mentioned that Jaime may be “The Prince that was Promised,” and it feels too easy that it’s Jon, is it possible that Sam is Azor Ahai? Sam could well be a secret Targaryen - the child of Rhaegar and Elia Martell, before he had the marriage annulled to unite with Lyanna Stark. Varys was presumed to have hidden the child, could he have given it a house that supported the Targaryens - the Tarlys? The fandom would rejoice if Sam was a Prince. Learn more.
11. Sam Is The Storyteller
A long-held theory is that apprentice maester Samwell Tarly is telling the story of Westeros and the battle for the Iron Throne, to an audience, and we as viewers, are that audience. If this is the case, can we expect a fairy tale ending? Or will it be just as bloody as the terrifying story we have come to love? Learn more.
12. Cersei Will Lose The Baby … And Her Leverage
Season 7 left Cersei “presumably” pregnant and whether it’s Jaime or Euron’s child, there are rumors that she will lose the pregnancy. Seen drinking wine in the Season 8 trailer, what would the loss of the baby mean for Cersei’s leverage in the great game? After all, Maggy the Frog once said, "the king will have 20 children and you will have three." Learn more.
13. The Cleganebowl Is Happening
The epic showdown between mortal enemies Gregor and Sandor Clegane aka The Mountain and the Hound is imminent. It was expected last season, but one would be remiss in thinking it won’t happen this season. These brothers are on a certain collision course, which will undoubtedly wind up with one or both of them dead. Learn more.
14. Has Tyrion Betrayed Daenerys Already?
Did the Season 7 finale actually reveal Tyrion’s betrayal of Dany? Tyrion’s conversation at King’s Landing with Cersei took place off-screen and Cersei’s sudden decision to strike a truce with the Dragon Queen did seem unusual. Additionally, a prophecy revealed to Dany in the House of the Undying claims she will be betrayed, is Tyrion that turncoat? Could he have been allied with the Lannisters this whole time? Learn more.
15. Arya Will Die At The Battle Of Winterfell
Producers have confirmed that the entire cast will be present in Season 8’s chief war -- The Battle of Winterfell, but theorists have Arya’s chances of survival ranked low. Arya will be fixated on Cersei during the battle and fans speculate that in the final moments, mercy towards Cersei will be Arya’s undoing. Arya meeting her end would be a huge blow, but it may complete her arc.
16. Daenerys Will Go Mad
We’ve seen a bit of savagery of late from the “Breaker of Chains” and her mercy fell on deaf ears when she killed the Tarlys, could we be seeing early symptoms of madness from our Dany? Her father Aerys we all know was driven mad, could Daenerys be turning into the “Mad Queen?” Learn more here.
17. Could Cersei Be Gendry’s Mother?
While not fair-haired like her other children, a recent fan theory was unearthed that Cersei may be Gendry’s mother. Early on in Season 1, while speaking to Catelyn Stark, Cersei confessed that her first born son, was a “black-haired beauty” who died shortly after his birth. Cersei abhorred Robert, could she have given away their child? Or was it all just a ruse? Gendry would still have every right to the throne. Learn more.
18. Jon Kills Daenerys
This theory may seem far-fetched given how deeply the fandom loves both characters, but as legend goes if Jon is “Azor Ahai” also known as “The Prince that was Promised” he will kill Dany by plunging his sword (called the Lightbringer) into the heart of his wife to imbue it with her power. But is Jon Snow the Azor Ahai? Read more here.
19. Arya Will Cross Cersei Off Her List - Here’s How
Cersei was one of the first names on Arya Stark’s kill list and she’s become quite adept at checking off her victims, but how will she end Queen Cersei’s life? Similar to how she killed Walder Frey and his sons, Arya may use Jaime's face to kill Cersei, thereby fulfilling both the “Valonqar Prophecy” and crossing another big name off her list. Valar morghulis indeed!
20. Varys is a Merman
Theories have swirled around Varys for years and two of them are of particular interest. The first, is that he is the last surviving member of House Tarbeck of the Westerlands, and the second is that Varys is a merman or a merling. In the past he’s been seen with an ally from the Narrow Sea and Tyrion threatened to have him thrown into the sea. Could there be some substance to this? Or would GoT really have jumped the shark? Learn more.
21. Bran is “Bran The Builder”
Bran the Builder is the Stark ancestor who created Winterfell and raised The Wall over 8000 years ago. Some believe that our Bran, and the Bran of old, are one and the same person because of his ability to influence the past. The Night King is certainly ever present in Bran Stark’s visions, but could he have really engineered the destruction of his own family, even if it was only accidental? A number of theories are certainly pointing that direction.
22. Euron Will Introduce The Dragonbinder
Euron’s fleet is currently on their way to Valyria to pick up the Golden Company who is supposed to return things to Cersei “that she'd lost,” could one of them be the rumored “dragon horn” or “dragonbinder?” The one who wields it is rumored to be able to bind a dragon to their will. Cersei and Euron could certainly be formidable foes if they could control Daenerys’ dragons. Read more.
23. The Seven Kingdoms Are Left Without A Ruler
One popular GoT theory is that at the end of Season 8 the realm would be left without a central ruler. After what is expected to be an all out civil war in the final episodes of the show, the populace of the Seven Kingdoms would potentially decide to be governed independently. Almost certainly Houses would remain, but in the end would the Iron Throne be dissolved?
24. Jaime Will Kill Cersei
As a teen, Cersei visited the witch - Maggy the Frog who declared that Cersei would watch all her children die, only to be murdered herself. As the prophecy goes, "And when your tears have drowned you, the valonqar or “little brother” shall wrap his hands about your pale white throat and choke the life from you.” We know that Cersei’s living children are now dead, but does that mean Jaime will kill Cersi? Or will it be Tyrion? Read more here.
25. Jon Snow Is NOT A Targaryen
We know Daenerys is a true Targaryen, as she cannot be burned by fire, but does this mean that Jon is not a Targaryen? Back in Season 1, his hand was burned during a fight with a Wight, so he is not immune to fire. However, Drogon clearly smelled dragon’s blood in him when they met at Dragonstone. So is Jon a true Targaryen? Or not? Read More
26. Jaime Is the Prince That Was Promised
The prophecy of the reborn Azor Ahai aka “The Prince that was Promised” is a significant one for any Game of Thrones fan. With all eyes on Jon and Dany, could it be Jaime's destiny? The Prince is meant to one day save Westeros from the long night with a sword called ‘Lightbringer and Jaime once quipped he will one day be known as ‘Goldenhand’ – because of his now gold hand. Additionally, the High Valyrian words for "Lord" and "Light" are "aeksio" and "onos” and the words for "gold" and "hand" are "aeksion" and "ondos." Could the ancient texts have been mistranslated? Could Jaime be the savior? Read more.
27. Melisandre Is Summoning An Army
We know that Melisandre is heading back to Volantis and must return to Westeros to die there, so what if anything, is she retrieving? Some fans of the show are speculating that she will return with the Fiery Hand, a holy army that could fight alongside Daenerys and Jon. Would they light their swords on fire like the “Lord of Light” follower Beric Dondarrion? Learn more.
28. Littlefinger Is Alive
Fans of the show put their odds on Littlefinger right up until his untimely end in Season 7. Cunning and ruthless, he was an expert gamesman and pitted the various Houses against one another with an almost uncanny ability. However a contingent of avid followers earnestly believe he is still alive. The twist you ask? A faceless man took his place when the Starks executed him, justifying his strange uncharacteristic behavior right up until his death. He has Braavosi blood after all, but it would be a truly cynical move for the show. See more.
29. Daenerys Is Pregnant
We are all aware that way back in Season 1 the witch Mirri Maz Duur foretold that Daenerys would bear a living child "when the sun rises in the west and sets in the east, when the seas go dry and mountains blow in the wind like leaves." Unfortunately for Daenerys and her husband Khal Drogo that was the not the case, but could it be now? A child sired by both Jon and Dany would almost certainly have the right to the throne. Read More.
30. Tyrion Is A Targaryen
It's universally known that Tywin Lannister hated his son. Could Tyrion secretly be a Targaryen and Daenerys' half-brother? We know that Joanna Lannister, died giving birth to Tyrion and was rumored to have been having an affair with the "Mad King" Aerys Targaryen (Danys' father) in and around the 9 months prior to Tyrion's birth. Could Tywin's hatred be legitimate? His last words to Tyrion seemed prophetic -- “You are no son of mine.” Read more from Bustle reporter Aoife Hanna here.
31. The Night King Is Targeting Bran
Could Bran be the Night King’s target? The Night King has had the opportunity to kill Jon Snow multiple times, is there a reason why he's avoiding killing him? Is there a more specific target he has in mind? Chapter 1 of Book 1 is told from Bran’s POV and highlights Bran’s importance to the story, and as a reminder Jojen Reed once said, “Only one thing that matters. You.” Listen to more of the in-depth theory from GrayArea here.
