HBO's fantasy phenom, Game of Thrones is wrought with deep worldbuilding, thrilling action, and loads of dynamic and interesting characters. Even in the span of an 8-season run, however, a saga as rich and epic as George R.R. Martin's A Song and Ice and Fire is bound to have some elements that are underrepresented or absent altogether.
This is certainly true for the expansive cast of characters - many of whom didn't quite get ample screentime to flourish. At the same time, there were a number of figures who may have worn out their welcome - or whose excessive time in the show may have been detrimental to their character. Here are five Game of Thrones characters who needed more screen time and five who got too much of it.
GOT TOO MUCH SCREEN TIME: Tyrion Lannister
He may be a charming and unlikely anti-hero, but the sole likable-Lannister may have just seen a bit too much screentime. At the very least, he was misused later down the road. Beginning as a wise and cynical rebel, Tyrion was instrumental early in the series, which was wrought with violence and turbulent happenings. It was his carefree attitude coupled with his wit and wisdom that offered guidance and perspective, along with much-needed comic relief.
Despite this and Peter Dinklage's superb portrayal, many criticized Tyrion's relative decline as a nuanced and resilient free-thinker who instead succumbed to the whims of Daenerys without question. Varys could certainly attest to this fall from grace - if he were still alive.
NEEDED MORE SCREEN TIME: Catelyn Stark
It's certainly true that the Stark matriarch may have seen ample screentime early on in the series. Yet, it would have been nice to see this cunning player in Winterfell take a more active role in politics and plotting battles, rather than the few scenes of her essentially playing the role of Robb's advisor.
Her death, while deservedly tragic and necessary for the story, cut short more room for her development. Not only this, but the complete absence of her resurrection as the menacing Lady Stoneheart is disappointing, to say the least.
GOT TOO MUCH SCREEN TIME: Grey Worm
Like Tyrion, this Unsullied warrior definitely made for a key player in this sprawling saga in the early goings. After all, he was among the first major figures in Essos to pledge loyalty to Daenerys, and proved invaluable in her quest to gain support and military might.
But again, Grey Worm seemed to be increasingly relegated to little more than Dany's "right-hand man." And while the love sequences between him and Missandei were heartfelt, fans also felt they were rather overdone and uneventful - adjectives many would call misplaced in something like Game of Thrones.
NEEDED MORE SCREEN TIME: Oberyn Martell
To many, this man of House Martell served as a key factor in the memorable nature of Season 4. It helps that his uniquely awesome fighting style, humorous wit, and charming personality makes for a fun watch and radiates like a Martell red sun.
Unfortunately, he met an abrupt and gruesome end at the hands of a seemingly-unstoppable force of nature that is Ser Gregor Clegane, aka The Mountain. And just like that, Oberyn was no more. It would have been nice to get a little more of a look into the backstory of this mysterious Red Viper, especially given the lack of focus on Dorne as a whole.
GOT TOO MUCH SCREEN TIME: Robb Stark
It's tough not to like this Stark fighter, and Ned's eldest son. This is especially true early on as Robb swears to pay back King's Landing and the Lannisters for separating Ned's head from his body. Yet, as time passes, it becomes rather clear that Robb's singular purpose is being the instrument of Stark vengeance - a role that feels redundant since Arya took it on quite well, too.
Not only that, but Jon Snow also steals much of Robb's spotlight early on by being similar yet a degree more likable. Robb's arc could have perhaps been redeemed if he didn't make such a costly, ill-advised error that cost him his entire campaign and his life at the Red Wedding.
NEEDED MORE SCREEN TIME: Meera
One of Game of Thrones' most unsung heroes is Meera Reed, a valued companion to the eventual King of Westeros. Given that Bran himself didn't see much screentime in the middle seasons, it's perhaps not surprising that his supporting cast didn't get much love either.
It's a shame, though, as Meera managed to be quite the likable character with her nurturing nature coupled with unyielding strength and loyalty. And given that she's the only daughter of a key figure in Thrones' lore, Howland Reed, the narrative would have benefited with more Meera.
GOT TOO MUCH SCREEN TIME: Theon Greyjoy/Reek
As is the case with a few others mentioned here, Theon comes across as a character that hit something of an identity crisis - in more ways than one - which becomes apparent the more he's shown. He goes from a loyal Stark fighter to a pesky wannabe Ironborn to an abused servant of Ramsay, essentially becoming a different person more than once. By the end, he's a mentally-broken shell of his former self (or selves), who basically seems to go along for the ride with his sister.
In the later seasons, he turns into a blank and stoic character, whose only purpose is to occasionally swoop in for a heroic moment or two. There's potential for truly dynamic and tragic character here, but Theon's loads of screen time was squandered in showing just how much he sucks rather than how he gradually evolved from one identity to the next.
NEEDED MORE SCREEN TIME: Bronn
Scenes that feature this fighting renegade just seem to have a little extra pizazz and amusement to them - at least in the early seasons. Fans will certainly question the odd reappearance of this man towards the end of the series, along with his equally odd motives in turning against the Lannister brothers.
Regardless, the show would have benefited from seeing more of this mysterious and humorous antihero. Seeing him fulfill his duties as the Lord of Highgarden, capital of the historic Reach, would have been interesting to see. That, and more backstory plus general happenings starring this wisecracking rebel would always be welcome.
GOT TOO MUCH SCREEN TIME: Ramsay Bolton
Make no mistake, this utterly twisted sociopath made for quite the memorable villain in his 20-episode run. That being said, Ramsay perhaps played his sinister role a bit too well, to the point where his eerie presence eventually turned to irritation for some. Even Joffrey, for all his detestable ways, at least had a tinge of legitimacy as the (seemingly) rightful heir to the throne.
But Ramsay's murderous ways absent any logical motive became tired and one-dimensional after enough episodes have passed. For many, he felt like Thrones' resident stereotypical serial killer who just popped up to say something smug while doing something sadistic offscreen. The fact that his death felt more cathartic than well-deserved doesn't help matters.
NEEDED MORE SCREEN TIME: Benjen Stark
Benjen is often seen as one of the more curious characters in the series, and rightfully so. The mysterious nature of this rarely-seen Stark marks the reason fans wished to see more of him, along with his generally likable, friendly nature.
One can't but feel that there's a sizable gap that wasn't antiquity filled between Benjen's brief appearance in season 1 and his grand entrance in Season 5. His run-ins with the White Walkers and the Children of the Forest to the north would have surely made for compelling TV, especially given his physical transformation.