Game of Thrones is now back in the pop-culture conversation following the announcement of a sequel series focusing on who may be its most beloved character, Jon Snow. That's not to mention the prequel series, House of the Dragon, which will premiere in August. The original series may have dipped in quality, but its characters, for the most part, remain some of the best in TV history.

The users of Ranker have had their say on who they believe to be the very best Game Of Thrones characters, with some seriously surprising inclusions and exclusions such as Cersei Lannister, Daenerys Targaryen, and Sansa Stark.

Note: Ranker lists are fan-voted, live, and continue to accrue votes, so some rankings may have changed after this publishing.

Bronn

Bronn with a crossbow in Gameof Thrones

Bronn of the Blackwater, Lord of Highgarden, Lord Paramount of the Reach, and Master of Coin, is one of the most consistently funny characters in Game of Thrones and someone who, for the most part, was a brilliant addition to the show.

Like so many others, his role in the show's final season was not great. Before that, though, Bronn was an excellent juxtaposition to both the Lannister brothers and someone fans could always count on for some rather crass comedic relief. He does not deserve to be labeled a better character than villains such as Cersei or Joffrey, but he is still great.

Ser Davos Seaworth

Davos Seaworth showing his cut off fingers in Game of Thrones

Many Game of Thrones characters live their lives in a kind of morally grey area, swaying back and forth from being good to being bad, from hateable to likable. Ser Davos Seaworth, though, remains not only fairly good for most of the show but a seriously likable Game of Thrones character.

Even as he stood at the side of Stannis, his doubts about Melisandre saved him from any audience backlash, and his relationship with Shireen was always so adorable. His loyalty, hilarity, and overall strive to fight the good fight for a good monarch were always admirable, and it is no surprise to see him given such praise by the show's fans on Ranker.

Jaime Lannister

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones

There has been much debate surrounding the end of Jaime Lannister's story in Game of Thrones, whether or not his character got ruined by his returning to Cersei and subsequent death. No matter what, though, his arc, particularly in the first seven seasons, is astounding.

Morphing from this hatable, arguably even one-note villain with a punchable face and an arrogance that exudes from his every pore into this complex, sympathetic figure with so much to him, he is truly one of the best-crafted characters of the show's golden era. While he deserved a better ending in Game of Thrones, just about everything up to the Battle of Winterfell is a master stroke.

Eddard Stark

Ned Stark holding Ice, the valyrian steel sword of House Stark

The death of Eddard Stark remains one of the most shocking, lightning in a bottle moments in TV history and is the first thing many think of when hearing the name of the Stark patriarch. It would not have been so effective, though, if he was not such a good character.

Part of the brilliance of Ned Stark was that he was not always truly the good guy. He was often honorable to a fault, making him more complex than a typical, one-dimensional hero who fights for good just because they are good. What also helps his character is Sean Bean's performance and the fact that his character got added to long after his death, namely through the R+L=J theory, which came to fruition.

Tormund Giantsbane

Tormund Giantsbane and Brienne Tarth Game of Thrones

One of the most surprising inclusions on Ranker's list, not because he is not a great character, is Tormund Giantsbane, who may well be the show's funniest character, but does not have the layers and impact on the show like a Sansa or Cersei do.

Nevertheless, the brutal and brilliantly performed Tormund is a great part of the show and Jon Snow's journey. He is a character that will likely up in Jon Snow's sequel series, and this may well improve his legacy. For now, his likability and the divisiveness of other characters have led him to a high ranking among Ranker users.

Ghost

Jon Snow and Ghost in Game Of Thrones

It is hard to argue against Ghost, or any of the Direwolves for that matter, being the most likable Game of Thrones character, and if he does not show up in the Jon Snow sequel, many will already be disappointed by the series.

Ghost manages to not only provide cuteness but moments that make fans pump their fists as well as shed a tear. One of the best things about Jon's venture beyond the wall in the finale was that he got to be reunited with the underused yet always great Ghost.

Sandor 'The Hound' Clegane

Rory McCann as Sandor Clegane, aka the Hound, on Game of Thrones

Whereas most characters had to settle for nonsensical character arcs and severely underwhelming deaths, the Hound, Sandor Clegane, got to finish his epic run in Game of Thrones as one of the best and most consistent characters.

However, Sandor's character is far more than his deep hatred of his brother and the subsequent battle that killed them both. Throughout the series, he is not only hilarious but brilliantly written, having emotional scenes and excellent character development for which his iconic dynamic with Arya is the catalyst.

Jon Snow

Jon Snow riding off beyond the wall into the north in the series finale.

Even though many, many fans were bitterly disappointed by where his character ended up by the series end, Jon Snow was the hero of Game of Thrones and one of its most iconic byproducts, known in the pop-culture zeitgeist even by those with no interest in the show.

Strong, honorable, and a fierce fighter and someone with a fascinating journey, Snow is so great for so long in the show. The entire R+L=J storyline was one of Game of Thrones' best twists, and he is responsible for so many of the show's best and most memorable moments. The clash of swords at Hardhome, his assassination, his resurrection, "You know nothing, Jon Snow," the Battle of the Bastards, and so many more all come from him and all add to the adoration many fans have for him.

Arya Stark

Arya Stark looking to the distance in Game of Thrones series finale

Fans generally see Arya's venture to the west of Westeros as a fitting end of the character, even if the execution of the final season left many viewers cold. It capped off one of the best arcs in the whole show.

From a young girl who wanted to be so much more than the luxurious life at the side of a Lord which she was destined for to the one who slew the Night King is one helluva journey. Even if it took some dragging blips in the middle, it was, generally, fantastic to watch unfold. Arya endured so much tragedy and hardship, and it all forged her into one of pop culture's biggest badasses.

Tyrion Lannister

Tyrion holds a crossbow in Game of Thrones

In many ways, Tyrion Lannister embodies Game of Thrones qualitatively speaking, being at the heart of its brilliance for the first five seasons before slowly declining and not having a great impact in the events of the final season.

Nevertheless, that five seasons was an incredible run that allows fans to forgive, to an extent, much of what follows regarding his character. A genius and a wordsmith, Tyrion has some of the best quotes in the entire show and is the reason for some of its most powerful moments. The performance of Peter Dinklage is one of the greatest in TV history, and for at least five seasons, Tyrion is one of the best-written characters in TV history.

NEXT: Most Satisfying Game Of Thrones Deaths, According To Ranker