George R.R. Martin Says Some Show Changes Improved His Characters

George R.R. Martin has reason to be proud of his A Song of Ice and Fire books after they inspired one of the most recognizable TV franchises, but he admits the adaptations changed many stories and that sometimes those changes were for the better. Game of Thrones, though a more direct adaptation than its successor, House of the Dragon, still diverges from the novels on several occasions.

When the show passed the written plot—The Winds of Winter is yet to be released—there was no choice, and some changes didn't work; a few of House of the Dragon's largest alterations even led to an irrevocable break between Martin and showrunner Ryan Condal. Martin has praised what Game of Thrones did with the characters Shae (Sibel Kekilli) and Osha (Natalia Tena) and noted how House of the Dragon changed Viserys I (Paddy Considine).

While there are many differences between the books and the shows, these three characters stand out as the most successful changes.

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