For book readers (and show viewers who coveted spoilers), one of the biggest twists in Game of Thrones was one that didn’t happen: the non-appearance of Lady Stoneheart, which had been expected around the end of season 4 of the show. In the books, Lady Stoneheart is the resurrected form of Catelyn Stark, who was brought back to life by Beric Dondarrion a few days after she was killed at the Red Wedding. Taking place in the Epilogue of A Storm of Swords, it’s one of the most shocking twists in the books, though the show had its reasons for not doing it.
Showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss didn’t want to bring Michelle Fairley back to Game of Thrones’ cast for a small, non-speaking part, and risk undoing the impact of her death at the Red Wedding. They also wanted to keep their powder dry for Jon Snow’s resurrection, which they knew they’d have to get to (as per the book Fire Cannot Kill A Dragon, by James Hibberd). Still, there are signs of Stoneheart’s story - which, so far, is leading the Brotherhood without Banners and killing Freys, Boltons, and Lannisters - in the show, which may reveal her true fate.
Did Game Of Thrones Season 8 Show How Lady Stoneheart Will Die?
Game of Thrones doesn’t fully do Lady Stoneheart’s book story without her, but it does continue with Beric leading the Brotherhood without Banners (albeit with a two-season absence). Since Beric gives his life to bring Catelyn back in the books, then him remaining in the show while she doesn’t appear means he’s taking on her story to some degree (and, notably, is someone who has been resurrected multiple times, losing a bit of himself on each occasion). That may only go as far as the Brotherhood without Banners, but could his death be Stoneheart’s?
Stoneheart needs a bigger role in the story than just avenging the Red Wedding, since that feels a bit too small in scope to justify resurrecting Cat given the emotion of her murder...
As a refresher, Beric dies at the Battle of Winterfell, holding off wights so that Arya Stark can escape. Benioff and Weiss wouldn’t divulge the third reason they cut Stoneheart because it’s a spoiler for what Martin has planned, but it was to do with how things were diverging. If they knew they weren’t including her and were also told how her story is going, it’s possible they then worked that into the TV series with Beric, since he already functioned in a Stoneheart role of sorts.
Beric Dondarrion was played by two different actors during Game of Thrones' run. Here's why he changed faces between season 1 and 3.
Stoneheart needs a bigger role in the story than just avenging the Red Wedding, since that feels a bit too small in scope to justify resurrecting Cat given the emotion of her murder, and being involved in the Others in some way would do that. She’s not a warrior in the same way Beric is, of course, but if there were to be a Battle of Winterfell during the books’ Long Night, her being involved could be great.
Why Saving Arya Would Be Fitting For Lady Stoneheart's Final Fate
Despite not being a fighter, Lady Stoneheart being placed in a fight with the Others isn’t too much of a stretch, since it’s fair to think the remaining members of the Brotherhood without Banners will be involved. If it were to happen at Winterfell, like in Game of Thrones season 8, then it would have even greater significance. Cat never wanted to leave and always wanted to return, so it would be fitting - if tragic - for that to be her final resting place.
Lady Stoneheart dying to save Arya would also carry a lot of emotional resonance, but also a thematic and narrative purpose too.
Lady Stoneheart dying to save Arya would also carry a lot of emotional resonance, but also a thematic and narrative purpose too. One story I’ve long felt should belong to her in the books is the Hound turning Arya away from vengeance, as seen in Game of Thrones season 8, episode 5, “The Bells.” Since Stoneheart’s entire story and purpose so far has been about revenge, it would be even better for that lesson to come from her.
Game of Thrones made a change to the Red Wedding with regards to Jaime Lannister and, while subtle, it foreshadows Lady Stoneheart being cut.
With that, The Winds of Winter (or A Dream of Spring, depending on when it happens), could kill two birds with one Stoneheart. The resurrected form of Cat would not only get to give her life to save at least one of her daughters, but also save her from becoming like her too.
Lady Stoneheart’s Death Could Pay Off GRRM’s Original Book Plan
There’s another reason I like the idea of Lady Stoneheart dying by saving Arya from the Others and the army of the dead, and that’s how it connects to George R.R. Martin’s original Game of Thrones plan. Back in 1993, he provided an overall structure for his books, then planned as a trilogy. It had several differences, including Sansa Stark and Joffrey Baratheon having a son, Jaime Lannister becoming king, and an Arya Stark/Jon Snow/Tyrion Lannister love triangle (seriously).
A Song of Ice and Fire books in release order
Title
Year
A Game of Thrones
1996
A Clash of Kings
1998
A Storm of Swords
2000
A Feast for Crows
2005
A Dance with Dragons
2011
The Winds of Winter
TBA
A Dream of Spring
TBA
In terms of Cat, though, it found her driven from her home after Ned’s death, and forced to flee beyond the Wall with Arya and Bran. As Martin wrote:
"When Winterfell burns, Catelyn Stark will be forced to flee north with her son Bran and her daughter Arya. Wounded by Lannister riders, they will seek refuge at the Wall, but the men of the Night's Watch give up their families when they take the black, and Jon and Benjen will not be able to help, to Jon's anguish. It will lead to a bitter estrangement between Jon and Bran. Arya will be more forgiving ... until she realizes, with terror, that she has fallen in love with Jon, who is not only her half-brother but a man of the Night's Watch, sworn to celibacy. Their passion will continue to torment Jon and Arya throughout the trilogy, until the secret of Jon's true parentage is finally revealed in the last book…
“Abandoned by the Night's Watch, Catelyn and her children will find their only hope of safety lies even further north, beyond the Wall, where they fall into the hands of Mance Rayder, the King-beyond-the-Wall, and get a dreadful glimpse of the inhuman others as they attack the wildling encampment. Bran's magic, Arya's sword Needle, and the savagery of their direwolves will help them survive, but their mother Catelyn will die at the hands of the others.”
Obviously, that didn’t happen in A Song of Ice and Fire or Game of Thrones. But if that kernel of an idea is still in Martin’s mind, then there’s a good way to still use it in The Winds of Winter or A Dream of Spring, making this an even better fate for Lady Stoneheart.
Based on George R.R. Martin's novels, this fantasy series follows the power struggles among noble families as they vie for control of the Iron Throne in the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. The series is known for its complex characters, political intrigue, and unexpected plot twists.
Game of Thrones is a multimedia franchise created by George R.R. Martin. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire is the basis for the award-winning HBO series Game of Thrones, which lasted for eight seasons. After the incredibly divisive final season of Game of Thrones, the series was followed up by the prequel series House of the Dragon, which also received critical acclaim.
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