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This Woman Made AI Portraits Of "Game Of Thrones" Characters The Way They're Supposed To Look, And I'm Stunned

Okay, everyone in A Song of Ice and Fire is like, an actual child.

Andy Golder
by Andy Golder

BuzzFeed Staff

Inevitably, when someone casts a TV show or movie based on a book, there will be some cries of "they're not supposed to look like that!" from fans. With a show like Game of Thrones, which had roughly one million characters, there are bound to be one or two that aren't book-accurate.

NBC

Thankfully, Melbourne-based content creator, Anna, aka @msbananaanna, exists, and so does AI. Anna basically set the internet on fire with her AI-created Harry Potter portraits, and now she's back for round two with a set of 29 book-accurate Game of Thrones portraits!

msbananaanna @msbananaanna

Hi guys, I made about 30 (attempted to) book description accurate GoT character portraits with artbreeder. If you're a fan you can check em out here: https://t.co/sDHDTIMn3U #GameOfThrones #ASOIAF #got #grrm

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Twitter: @msbananaanna

Anna uses Artbreeder, an online AI tool, to mix and tweak character portraits until she comes up with an image that shows the character the way they're described in the A Song of Ice and Fire books. She told BuzzFeed that it can take a few hours of messing around in Artbreeder to get a portrait right, and even then they might require some final touches in Photoshop. Here's what she came up with:

msbananaanna @msbananaanna

My goal is to make 35 AI Game of Thrones/ASOIAF portraits. So far finished 21/35 characters. Harder than HP because of different family features, all the women are supposedly varying shades of beautiful, and incest lol

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Twitter: @msbananaanna

Anna's descriptions are included throughout, as are some descriptions from A Wiki of Ice and Fire.

1. Arya Stark:

@msbananaanna

"Arya Stark: 9–12 years old. Has the Stark long face, grey eyes, and brown hair. Greatly resembles Aunt Lyanna according to Bran. Short hair depicted when she cut it to look like a boy. Bullied by Sansa for looking horse faced, but several characters have described her as pretty."

Arya Stark as portrayed by Maisie Williams:

Maisie capturing the short hair look of the character
HBO

Here they are side by side:

@msbananaanna, HBO

2. Sansa Stark

@msbananaanna

"Sansa Stark: Age 11–14. Deep blue eyes, light auburn hair, with the Tully features of high cheekbones. Takes after her mother, but Catelyn believes Sansa will grow to become more beautiful than her. Considered by many characters to be fair looking, and Tyrion considers her to be as comely as Margaery Tyrell."

Sansa Stark as portrayed by Sophie Tuner:

Sophie with long red hair with side braids pinned back looking older than her character
Helen Sloan/HBO

Here they are side by side:

@msbananaanna, Helen Sloan/HBO

3. Ned Stark

@msbananaanna

"Ned Stark: 35–36. Typical Stark features of long face, grey eyes, and brown hair. Ned has dark grey eyes that reflect his moods. He has a solemn face and his beard is beginning to grey, making him look older than his age. He is considered to be less handsome and shorter than his brother, Brandon Stark."

Ned Stark as portrayed by Sean Bean:

Sean with shoulder-length hair half pinned back looking older than his character
HBO

Here they are side by side:

@msbananaanna, HBO

4. Catelyn Stark:

@msbananaanna

"Catelyn Stark: Age 33–35. 'Catelyn is beautiful, with fair skin, long auburn hair, and blue eyes. She has long fingers and high cheekbones.' - AWOIAF. Traditional Tully features and traditional beauty."

Catelyn Stark as portrayed by Michelle Fairley:

close up of Michelle with dark red hair and blue eyes
HBO

Here they are side by side:

@msbananaanna, HBO

5. Jon Snow

@msbananaanna

"Jon Snow: Age 14–17. Has the most Stark features of the kids, with dark grey eyes, a long face, and dark brown hair."

Jon Snow as portrayed by Kit Harington:

Kit with long dark hair for his character looking older
HBO

Here they are side by side:

@msbananaanna, HBO

6. Daenerys Targaryen

@msbananaanna

"Daenerys Targaryen: Age 13–15. Daenerys has the classical Valyrian look; She has violet eyes, pale skin, and long, pale silver-gold hair. Daenerys is slender of frame. Daenerys has been described as fair, and beautiful."

Daenerys as portrayed by Emilia Clarke:

Emilia with platinum blonde hair but dark eyes
HBO

Here they are side by side:

@msbananaanna, HBO

7. Ser Jorah Mormont

@msbananaanna

"Ser Jorah Mormont: Age 46ish. Jorah is a large middle-aged man, swarthy and hairy. He is black-bearded and balding, but still strong and fit. According to Dany: not particularly handsome."

Ser Jorah as portrayed by Iain Glen:

Ian as his character, more slender in the face, not bolding and with blonde features instead of dark
HBO

Here they are side by side:

@msbananaanna, HBO

8. Tyrion Lannister

@msbananaanna

"Tyrion: ~24 years, mismatched green/black eyes, thin hair so blonde it's almost white, large jutting forehead, oversized head."

Tyrion as portrayed by Peter Dinklage:

Peter has long dark hair and full beard instead
Helen Sloan/HBO

Here they are side by side:

@msbananaanna, Helen Sloan/HBO

9. Jaime Lannister

@msbananaanna

"Jaime Lannister: ~31 years, green eyes, curled hair color of beaten gold, handsome, tall."

Jaime Lannister as portrayed by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau:

Nikolaj with light features and long hair for his character
HBO

Here they are side by side:

@msbananaanna, HBO

10. Cersei Lannister

@msbananaanna

"Cersei Lanister: Age 31–34. Twin to Jaime Lannister. 'Cersei is a strikingly beautiful woman, with golden hair, emerald green eyes, fair skin, and a slender, graceful figure."  —AWOIAF


Note: Although she is considered by some to be the most beautiful of the seven kingdoms, her age was brought into consideration along with the prophecy that she will be replaced by a younger more beautiful queen... so I tried to make her beautiful but not as striking as described."

Cersei Lannister as portrayed by Lena Headey:

Lena with long curled hair half pinned back
Macall B. Polay/courtesy of HBO

Here they are side by side:

@msbananaanna, Macall B. Polay/courtesy of HBO

11. Joffrey Baratheon

@msbananaanna

"Joffrey Baratheon: Age 11–14. Blonde curly hair, green eyes, pouty lips. Considered handsome. Jon thinks he looks like a girl. Probably has a punchable face, but that is just personal bias."

Joffrey as portrayed by Jack Gleeson:

young Jack wearing a crown with light features
HBO

Here they are side by side:

@msbananaanna, HBO

12. Myrcella Baratheon

@msbananaanna

"Myrcella Baratheon: Age 8–10. Golden hair, emerald eyes, and full lips. Delicate and beautiful."

Myrcella Baratheon as portrayed by Nell Tiger Free:

Nell with golden hair curled and half pinned back
HBO

Here they are side by side:

@msbananaanna, HBO

13. Tywin Lannister

@msbananaanna

"Tywin Lannister: Age 58. Tall, slender, broad shouldered with shaved bald head, but keeps whiskers on the side of his face. He has pale green eyes with gold flecks in them."

Tywin Lannister as portrayed by Charles Dance:

Charles, not bold as his character is described
HBO

Here they are side by side:

@msbananaanna, HBO

14. Brienne of Tarth

@msbananaanna

"Brienne of Tarth: 17–20. 'Brienne is unfeminine in appearance and is considered unattractive by Westerosi standards. She is tall, muscular, flat-chested, and ungainly, with shoulder-length brittle straw-colored hair and broad, coarse features that are covered in freckles. Brienne's teeth are prominent and crooked. Her mouth is wide, her lips are swollen, and her nose has been broken more than once. She has large, beautiful blue eyes.' —AWOIAF"

Ser Brienne as portrayed by Gwendoline Christie:

Gwendoline with short straw colored hair like her character
Helen Sloan/HBO

Here they are side by side:

@msbananaanna, Helen Sloan/HBO

15. Lyanna Stark

@msbananaanna

"Lyanna Stark: Dead at age 16. Was considered to have a 'wild' beauty to her; did not have the same delicate/refined/traditional beauty as Princess Elia. Described as a Tomboy, and has typical Stark features of a long face, grey eyes, and brown hair. Slim."

Lyanna Stark only had a couple of short scenes, but here she is as portrayed by Aisling Franciosi:

Aisling with dark features
HBO

And here's a much clearer pic of Aisling at a red carpet event:

Aisling with long dark hair parted in the middle
Dave J Hogan / Dave J Hogan/Getty Images

Here they are side by side:

@msbananaanna, Dave J Hogan / Dave J Hogan/Getty Images

16. Asha (Yara) Greyjoy

@msbananaanna

"Asha Greyjoy: Early-mid twenties. 'Asha is lean and long-legged, with dark eyes and black hair cut short. Her face is thin, with a big, sharp nose, and wind-chafed skin. On her neck is a faded pink scar. Asha's brother, Theon Greyjoy, believes her hawk-like nose is too big and sharp for her small face, but he feels that her wicked smile makes up for it.' —AWOIAF"

The show changed Asha's name to Yara to avoid confusion with Osha. Here's Asha/Yara Greyjoy as portrayed by Gemma Whelan:

Gemma with longer dark hair and paler skin than her character is described as
Helen Sloan/courtesy of HBO

Here they are side by side:

@msbananaanna, Helen Sloan/courtesy of HBO

17. Jaqen H'ghar

@msbananaanna

"Jaqen H'ghar: Young man, considered or noticed by women to be handsome with fine features. Long hair that is white on one side, and red on the other."

Jaqen H'ghar as portrayed by Tom Wlaschiha:

Tom with shoulder-length dark curly hair
Helen Sloan/courtesy of HBO

Here they are side by side:

@msbananaanna, Helen Sloan/courtesy of HBO

18. Ser Loras Tyrell

@msbananaanna

"Loras Tyrell: Age 15–18. Considered by many to be 'beautiful' and 'extremely handsome.' Has big liquid gold eyes and brown lazy curls. Greatly resembles Margaery, according to Cersei (they are siblings)."

Ser Loras as portrayed by Finn Jones:

Finn with the long curly hair as described as his character
Macall B. Polay/courtesy of HBO

Here they are side by side:

@msbananaanna, Macall B. Polay/courtesy of HBO

19. Margaery Tyrell

@msbananaanna

"Margaery Tyrell: Age 16–17. Thick, softly curling hair, with large brown eyes. Has a sweet/shy look to her. Considered by Tyrion to be as comely as Sansa Stark. Smooth unblemished skin."

Margaery Tyrell as portrayed by Natalie Dormer:

Natalie with long loose curls but small eyes
Helen Sloan/courtesy of HBO

Here they are side by side:

@msbananaanna, Helen Sloan/courtesy of HBO

20. Melisandre

@msbananaanna

"Melisandre: She is considered to be terribly beautiful, with unsettling red eyes and deep burnished copper hair. She has a heart shaped face. She's really old but looks young due to magic."

Melisandre as portrayed by Carice Van Houten:

Carice with long dark hair in loose curls and dark eyes
Helen Sloan/courtesy of HBO

Here they are side by side:

@msbananaanna, Helen Sloan/courtesy of HBO

21. Lysa Arryn

@msbananaanna

"Lysa Arryn: Early 30s. Once beautiful, she has since grown thick and puffy due to many pregnancy issues. Has a small petulant mouth, and though she is younger than Catelyn, she looks older by a decade. Pale blue eyes, thick auburn hair. Her skin has become pale, which she tries to cover up with powder."

Lysa Arryn as portrayed by Kate Dickie:

kate with long wavy hair but with a larger mouth and smaller frame
HBO

Here they are side by side:

@msbananaanna, HBO

22. Littlefinger

@msbananaanna

"Littlefinger: Age 29–32. Short, slender man with sharp features and a small pointed beard. Dark hair with threads of grey, and grey-green eyes. When he laughs or smiles, it does not reach his eyes."

Littlefinger as portrayed by Aidan Gillen:

Aiden with the pointed beard and lots of grey in his hair
Helen Sloan/courtesy of HBO

Here they are side by side:

@msbananaanna, Helen Sloan/courtesy of HBO

23. Syrio Forel

@msbananaanna

"Syrio Forel: Age (?). Bald man with a beak nose."

Syrio Forel as portrayed by Miltos Yerolemou:

Miltos with a head full of curly hair and wide smile, unlike his character
HBO

Here they are side by side:

@msbananaanna, HBO

24. Lord Varys

@msbananaanna

"Varys: Age 44–50. Bald, plump, effeminate, with powdered face. Eyes are not specified in the book, but he is from Lys, so I assume he has purple eyes."

Varys as portrayed by Conleth Hill:

Conleth is bald like his character but does not wear the powder
Helen Sloan/HBO

Here they are side by side:

@msbananaanna, Helen Sloan/HBO

25. Ygritte

@msbananaanna

"Ygritte: Age 19. Large, pretty, blue-grey eyes. Crooked teeth, bright thick and shaggy red hair. Though considered to be beautiful among the wildlings. Jon does not think she is (but considers her smile to be pretty). He notices her eyes are too far apart. She has a short pug nose and a round face."

Ygritte as portrayed by Rose Leslie:

Rose with a small nose and eyes, and long red hair
HBO

Here they are side by side:

@msbananaanna, HBO

26. Gregor Clegane

@msbananaanna

"Gregor Clegane: Age 35–36. Gregor Clegane is a gigantic man, arguably the largest man in Westeros (surpassing all of the Baratheon brothers, Hodor, and his own brother Sandor), with great arms, an ugly voice like stone breaking, grey eyes, brown hair and large shoulders."

Gregor Clegane as portrayed by Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson:

Hafþór is a gigantic man with brown thin hair like his character
HBO

Here they are side by side:

@msbananaanna, HBO

27. Podrick Payne

@msbananaanna

"Podrick: 13–15? Skinny, straight hair, thin neck."

Podrick as portrayed by Daniel Portman:

Daniel, older than his character with a full face and bigger body and dark features
Helen Sloan/courtesy of HBO

Here they are side by side:

@msbananaanna, Helen Sloan/courtesy of HBO

The following two characters never made it into the show, but if you're a book reader, you might be interested to see how they would look IRL!

28. Arianne Martell

@msbananaanna

"Arianne Martell: Early Twenties. 'Arianne is buxom and beautiful, with olive skin, large dark eyes and long, thick black hair that falls in ringlets to the middle of her back.' —ASOIAF"

29. Brandon Stark

@msbananaanna

"Brandon Stark (brother to Ned Stark): Dead at 20. Tall and handsome with grey eyes."

You can follow Anna on Twitter and Instagram to see if she makes more portraits in the future!