A few of my favourite characters from Game of Thrones

Aemon Targaryen played by Peter Vaughan

Aemon was the son of King Maekar Targaryen. Maekar himself was an unlikely canditate for the throne and as such Aemon was not born out of incest like some in his family. He is the older brother of Aegon the unlikely (Egg) who was the father of the Mad King Aerys II. He is the great uncle of Daenerys and was the last living Targaryen in Westeros. Aemon turned down the chance to be King as he had already began his time at the Citadel becoming a Maester.

Aemon was still alive the same time as the last dragons. Not Dragons as we have come to know from the TV series but stunted deformed remnants. Whilst still alive he was a tangible link to that magical past.

"Death should hold no fear for a man as old as me, but it does. Isn't that silly? It is always dark where I am, so why should I fear the darkness? Yet I cannot help but wonder what will follow, when the last warmth leaves my body. Will I feast forever in the Father's golden hall as the septons say? Will I talk with Egg again, find Dareon whole and happy, hear my sisters singing to their children? What if the horselords have the truth of it? Will I ride through the night sky forever on a stallion made of flame? Or must I return again to this vale of sorrow? Who can say, truly? Who has been beyond the wall of death to see? Only the wights, and we know what they are like. We know."

Beric Dondarrion played by Richard Dormer (recast).

Beric Dondarrion is Lord of Blackhaven and head of house Dondarrion. He has died multiple times including an impaling at the hands of the Mountain and executed by the Lannisters. Each time he dies he is brought back by Thoros of Myr a red priest. He is the leader of the Brotherhood without banners.

In the tv series Beric explains to the hound that cold winds are rising in the north and he intends to stop them. Is he referring to wights or the battle of the bastards?...I feel that Beric has a large part to play in the final few episodes of the TV series.

Coming back from death takes it's toll on Beric losing part of himself and memories each time he is brought back.

“Can I dwell on what I scarce remember? I held a castle on the Marches once, and there was a woman I was pledged to marry, but I could not find that castle today, nor tell you the color of that woman's hair. Who knighted me, old friend? What were my favorite foods? It all fades. Sometimes I think I was born on the bloody grass in that grove of ash, with the taste of fire in my mouth and a hole in my chest. Are you my mother, Thoros?”

Bronn played by Jerome Flynn

Bronn son of Bronn (you wouldn't know him), is a minor character in the books but due to his fighting ability and devil may care attitude he has become a fan favourite. A tough fighter who prefers not to be over encumbered with armour like other Knights in Westeros. He's first encountered as a sell sword helping Catelyn Stark transport Tyrion Lannister. He goes on to champion for Tyrion in a trial by combat against Ser Vardis Egan. He is knighted after the battle of the blackwater and goes on to become "Lord Protector of Stokeworth" after marrying Lollys of house stokeworth and all of her family in front of her dying.

"There's no cure for being a cunt."

Ser Davos Seaworth played by Liam Cunningham

The Onion Knight Ser Davos Seaworth. Knighted by Stannis Baratheon after smuggling onions to the besieged Storms End during Robert Baratheons rebellion. Davos was a smuggler by trade and was punished by Stannis by having his fingers on his left hand cut off at the furthest point. Davos was happy enough to have this punishment providing Stannis did the deed himself. He kept the bones from his fingers around his neck in a pouch for luck.

Stannis had 7 sons and I don't think he had any daughters, this might explain his fondness for Shireen Baratheon. Davos knew where he stood in the world of high lords and Kings and doesn't aim any higher than his current station. He would in fact probably be happier at a lower station. Davos did not expect to be made Hand of the King and couldn't see himself being obeyed.

For a moment Davos was too stunned to move. I woke this morning in his dungeon. "Your Grace, you cannot . . . I am no fit man to be a King's Hand."
"I am lowborn," Davos reminded him. "An upjumped smuggler. Your lords will never obey me."

Davos continually tries to do what's right in a world where most are betraying oaths and stabbing each other in the back.