‘Game of Thrones’: Every Character on Arya’s Kill List and Their Deaths

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Arya Stark, a memorable character from HBO’s Game of Thrones and a member of the powerful House Stark, challenges traditional expectations for women. Highly intelligent and resourceful, she spends much of the series traveling and searching for belonging. After enduring a series of traumatic events, beginning with the unexpected execution of her father, Eddard Stark, at the end of the first season, Arya creates a list of people she intends to kill.

Arya keeps a mental list, like a personal oath or prayer, of everyone who has ever harmed her or her family. This list grows throughout the story as she encounters more enemies. Though she doesn’t kill everyone on it herself, nearly all of them eventually meet their end. Let’s examine the list and see what happened to each person on it.

The Hound

Killed in Season 8, Episode 5 “The Bells”

Sandor Clegane, known as The Hound (played by Rory McCann), was among the first people Arya Stark wanted to kill. He was initially added to her list after killing Mycah, a young butcher’s assistant, in the first season. However, despite this, The Hound and Arya develop a surprising bond when he agrees to bring her back to her family, hoping to be rewarded for his efforts.

Despite ultimately leaving him to succumb to his injuries after a battle with Brienne, they reconcile as friends in the final season. Shortly after, The Hound meets his end—killing his brother before falling to his death during the destruction of King’s Landing.

Meryn Trant

Killed in Season 5, Episode 2 “The House of Black and White”

Meryn Trant, played by Ian Beattie, was a character Arya Stark had long sought to kill in Game of Thrones. Their conflict began in season one when Meryn killed Arya’s sword-fighting teacher, Syrio Forel, and she vowed revenge. She finally found him in Braavos and, using skills she learned from Jaqen H’hgar, disguised herself. She posed as a young woman at a brothel Meryn frequented, and when he chose her, she was able to repeatedly stab and kill him, ultimately fulfilling her revenge.

Joffrey Baratheon

Killed in Season 4, Episode 2 “The Lion and the Rose”

As a critic, I have to say Joffrey Baratheon, played by Jack Gleeson, was brilliantly awful – truly one of the most detestable characters in Game of Thrones. And the show kept his murder a secret beautifully. For a long time, we didn’t know who was responsible, and the reveal was fantastic. It turns out it was the sharp-tongued Lady Olenna Tyrell, who confessed to Jaime Lannister, while facing her own demise, that she’d poisoned Joffrey’s wine at his wedding. A truly shocking moment, and a fitting end for such a cruel character.

I have to admit, as a fan, I was really hoping Arya would be the one to get Joffrey after what he did to her father. But honestly, when Lady Olenna turned out to be the killer, it was a fantastic surprise! Everyone was eagerly anticipating Joffrey’s death, and the way it actually happened was incredibly satisfying to watch.

Melisandre

Killed in Season 8, Episode 3 “The Long Night”

Arya quickly becomes friends with Gendry, who may actually be a Baratheon. She’s deeply worried when Melisandre, also known as the Red Woman, captures him. Melisandre buys Gendry from the Brotherhood Without Banners to use in a magical ritual intended to help Stannis claim the Iron Throne. Though viewers have strong feelings about her – some love her, some hate her – Melisandre ultimately dies, seemingly by her own hand, after playing her part in helping Jon Snow and the others win the battle against the Night King.

Thoros

Killed in Season 7, Episode 6 “Beyond the Wall”

Like Melisandre, Thoros (Paul Kaye) ended up on Arya’s kill list because he assisted in selling Gendry to the Red Woman. Although Arya didn’t kill him herself, he tragically died soon after.

In season seven of Game of Thrones, Thoros joins a small team that travels north of The Wall to capture a wight and present it to Cersei, hoping to negotiate a truce. While fighting an undead polar bear, he bravely sacrifices himself to protect The Hound and later dies from his injuries.

Cersei Lannister

Killed in Season 8, Episode 5 “The Bells”

Lena Headey’s character, Cersei Lannister, definitely earned a spot on Arya’s list of people to kill. While Cersei had done many terrible things, it was her involvement in the death of Arya’s father that made her Arya’s primary target.

In season seven, when soldiers questioned why she was traveling alone to King’s Landing, Arya Stark bluntly stated her intention: to kill the Queen. Throughout the final season of Game of Thrones, Arya focused on achieving this goal. Though she didn’t get the chance herself, she was en route to confront Cersei when Daenerys Targaryen attacked and destroyed King’s Landing, killing both Cersei and Jaime in the process.

Ser Ilyn Payne

Does not appear after Season 4 finale “The Children”

Ser Ilyn Payne, portrayed by Wilko Johnson, is the only person on Arya’s kill list who doesn’t die in Game of Thrones. The show’s writers removed his character after Johnson received a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. We last hear about the man who executed Ned Stark in the fourth season finale, when Tywin Lannister mentions his name.

Polliver

Killed in Season 4, Episode 1 “Two Swords”

Arya Stark crossed another name off her list when she killed Polliver (Andy Kellegher). He had previously killed Arya’s friend, Lommy, and stolen Needle, the sword Arya ultimately used to avenge Lommy’s death and kill Polliver.

Polliver was unlucky enough to encounter Arya at an inn, and she quickly killed him with The Hound’s help. This act demonstrated Arya’s unwavering commitment to her revenge list – she killed him without any hesitation, brutally stabbing him with her sword. This scene was a turning point, establishing Arya as a formidable and dangerous character, and remains one of the most impactful deaths in the series.

The Mountain

Killed in Season 8, Episode 5 “The Bells”

Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, known as The Mountain, was another of Arya’s targets, which isn’t surprising. She put him on her list after seeing him brutally torture people while trying to get information at Harrenhal. This cruel Lannister supporter would tie rats to people and then burn them, forcing the rats to claw their way out of the person’s chest.

Some of the people Arya intended to kill were questionable targets, but few would argue that The Mountain didn’t deserve to be on her list, particularly after discovering he disfigured his own brother. Though a fight between them would have been impressive, his death felt right, as his brother ultimately ended his violent ways.

Rorge

Killed in Season 4, Episode 8 “The Mountain and the Viper”

Rorge, played by Andy Beckwith, was a minor character who journeyed with Arya towards the Wall. Arya freed him – along with Jaqen H’ghar – despite her reservations, as he was a criminal. Later, while traveling with The Hound, Arya encounters Rorge again, but the meeting ends tragically when she kills him with her sword, Needle.

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2026-04-15 19:20