Showrunners for HBO's Game of Thrones are no strangers to modifying George R.R. Martin's source material for their liking. While the core cast of characters and plot are the same, numerous storylines have been streamlined, characters have been merged together and some elements have simply failed to appear at all.
That being said, season five of the show looks to be making some of the biggest changes yet. We won't know the full extent of what's new until the season concludes in the coming months, but judging from the trailers it should be an interesting viewing experience for those who have read the books.
As season five is a combination of material from book four and five of Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire saga, it is possible some of these storylines and characters will appear in the next season of the show.
Here are seven big departures from the books to expect when Game of Thrones returns starting April 12.
Read also: Spoilers
The Adventures of Tyrion and Varys
We know Varys spirits Tyrion across the sea and looks to be heading toward a meeting with Daenerys at the end of season four, just like in the books. Unlike the books, Varys in the show looks to be joining Tyrion in his adventure, rather than staying in King's Landing. It doesn't seem like a huge departure ... but it is. Much of Tyrion's storyline looks to have been streamlined this season as well, with trailers teasing he will likely meet Daenerys before the season's end.
In the books, Tyrion suffers from a number of misadventures and is eventually enslaved. He has yet to meet the Mother of Dragons. Don't be surprised if the show changes this. The show's version of Tyrion has always been an all-around nicer character than his book counterpart, even after committing murder. To drag Peter Dinklage through the mud as is done to Tyrion in the books is something showrunners are likely to avoid. How Varys will play into these changes is still up in the air.
Jaime and Bronn Go to Dorne
Much of season five will take place in Dorne. This is known. However, it's going to be much different from the books. In Martin's novels, a member of the Kingsguard named Ser Arys Oakheart travels to Dorne, where he becomes involved in a conspiracy to put Princess Myrcella Baratheon on the Iron Throne as opposed to Tommen.
That doesn't go too well, but Arys is nowhere to be seen in the show. Instead, it looks like Jaime and Bronn will be traveling to Dorne in his stead. This is much different from in the books, where Bronn exits the story entirely and Jaime travels to the Riverlands to broker peace. Whether or not the Dornish conspiracy plotline will be featured at all in the show is unknown, but considering all of the new Dornish characters cast for season five, it sounds like the show will be spending a substantial amount of time in the region.
Bran Takes a Vacation
Book readers may have noticed that Bran's storyline in the show has officially caught up to his book storyline after reaching the Three-Eyed Raven north of the Wall. What are Game of Thrones showrunners to do?
Nothing, as it turns out. Rather than move Bran's storyline ahead of the books, Bran will instead simply not appear in season five. It's as simple as that. Expect him to return for season six of the show.
No Young Griff
One of the biggest surprises to come in Martin's novels is the character called Young Griff, also referred to as Faegon. His real name? Aegon Targaryen, the thought-to-be-murdered son of Rhaegar Targaryen, who was spirited away from Westeros before the sacking of King's Landing during Robert's Rebellion. It isn't yet known for sure whether or not the boy who would be king is a legitimate Targaryen heir, but if he is, his claim to the Iron Throne is even stronger than Daenerys'. Tyrion meets Aegon shortly after arriving across the sea and learns Illyrio and Varys have been grooming Aegon for the throne.
The show, however, seems to indicate that Varys is throwing his support behind Daenerys. Will Aegon appear in the show this season? Hard to say. Adding yet another Targaryen to the mix would definitely complicate the narrative, but if he is in this season, it is likely to be one closely-guarded secret. He could also appear later down the line in season six.
Sansa Journeys to Winterfell
Sansa's journey in the show has followed that of the book fairly closely so far. Season five, however, looks to be moving her storyline into uncharted waters, as we can clearly see Sansa and Littlefinger traveling to Winterfell.
This has yet to happen in the books. Why might Sansa return to her longtime home? There are a couple of possibilities. One is she might be marrying Ramsay Bolton, taking the place of a character impersonating Arya Stark in the books. As the Boltons are the new Wardens of the North, they've taken control of Winterfell for themselves. Marrying a Bolton would get Sansa back into the castle. Another explanation is Littlefinger, now ruler of the Vale of Arryn, and Sansa are simply traveling to Winterfell to attend Ramsay's wedding. Or it could be some completely off-the-wall reason we haven't thought of yet. We will see soon enough.
Lady Stoneheart is MIA
Ever since the season four finale fans have been wondering: where is Lady Stoneheart? The resurrected and zombified Catelyn Stark hungry for vengeance against the Freys, Boltons and Lannisters has yet to appear on the show, and so far, there seems to be no indication that she will be appearing in season five. Her introduction happens at the very end of "A Storm of Swords," where she is in command of theBrotherhood Without Banners. She later captures Brienne of Tarth and her squire Podrick and threatens to hang them both. Might she make an appearance this season? Possibly, but we wouldn't be surprised if the show drops this storyline altogether.
The King of the Iron Islands
A large portion of "A Feast for Crows" and "A Dance with Dragons" is dedicated to House Greyjoy, which is in the process of electing a new King of the Iron Islands after the untimely death of King Balon. Balon's brother Victarion makes a strong bid for the throne but loses to his recently-returned-from-exile brother Euron. Euron isn't especially well-liked by Victarion, as Euron was banished by King Balon for raping Victarion's salt wife, a wife Victarion then beat to death.
Victarion blames Euron for his wife's death but nonetheless allows himself to be bossed around by his older brother. Euron tasks Victarion with sailing to Meereen to court Daenerys on his behalf, so that the two of them can conquer Westeros. He agrees, but secretly plans to "steal" Daenerys for himself, along with her dragons, using a magical horn. None of this is anywhere to be seen in the show. No additional Ironborn characters have been cast, so it looks like for the time being, this major plotline will be missing. In all likelihood, it will appear in some shape or form in the show's sixth season.
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