HBO's Game of Thrones was largely faithful to George R. R. Martin's source material with its depiction of Arya Stark's character. The rebellious daughter of Ned and Catelyn Stark differs from her sister Sansa's path throughout the series, rejecting Westeros' societal expectations and creating a legacy of her own as an esteemed warrior. Arya's show arc culminates with her defeating the Night King before selling sail from the Seven Kingdoms' shores, seeking new adventures.
Many of Arya's characteristics remain in line with her counterpart in Martin's Song of Ice and Fire novel series. However, significant changes were made to her narrative as the show diverged more and more from the books.
Changed: Her Pretender's Marriage To Ramsay Bolton
The Lannisters are keen to conceal Arya's escape from King's Landing. In A Dance with Dragons, the fifth book in the series, a fake Arya is sent to Winterfell to marry Ramsay Bolton instead of Sansa, while the real Arya trains with the Faceless Men in Braavos.
This significantly changes Arya's arc and the future of the North in the books. The Northerners rally together to save "Arya Stark" from the Boltons, with Jon preparing to leave the Night's Watch with the wildlings to rescue his sister.
Stayed The Same: The Wayward Stark Sister
Game of Thrones remained mostly faithful in its depiction of Arya's rebellious, tomboy spirit. The antithesis of her courtly sister, Sansa, Arya makes it clear from the first season that she wants to be a warrior instead of a lady.
Arya takes a drastically different path to Sansa throughout her journey. The wayward Stark sister travels throughout the Riverlands incognito before temporarily relocating to the Free City of Braavos.
Changed: The Ghost Of High Heart
Arya has a chilling encounter with Melisandre in season 3 that foreshadows her unexpected defeat of the Night King in the final season. This significant scene doesn't take place in the books. Instead of meeting Melisandre, Arya Stark encounters another mystical woman who issues a series of prophetic dreams.
Arya visits the Ghost of High Heart twice while with the Brotherhood Without Banners in A Storm of Swords. The woods witch predicts the deaths of Balon Greyjoy, Robb Stark, and Joffrey Baratheon, as well as making prophetic observations about both Stark sisters.
Stayed The Same: Relationship With Jon Snow
After embarking on separate paths for the majority of the series, the Starks finally came together again to defend their home in season 8 of Game of Thrones. Arya had a heartfelt reunion with her half-brother/cousin Jon Snow that echoes their close-knit relationship from the book series.
Arya and Jon are close to each other in the books as both of them grew up in Winterfell as misfits. The show's pilot episode captures their emotional goodbye, with Jon giving Arya her sword, Needle, before departing for the Wall.
Changed: Meeting Tywin Lannister
Some of Arya's most enjoyable moments from the series include her scenes with Tywin Lannister. In season 2, the Northern princess is captured by Ser Amory Lorch and taken to Harrenhal. Tywin names her his cupbearer upon his arrival, oblivious to her true identity.
Arya is still taken to Harrenhal in the books but never meets the Lord of House Lannister. Roose Bolton names her his cupbearer instead, before Arya's escape with Gendry and Hot Pie.
Stayed The Same: Training With The Faceless Men
Arya's tenure at the House of Black and White is an integral part of her journey in the books and the show. The season 7 finale concludes with Arya's voyage to Braavos, an accurate adaptation of her departure from Westeros in A Storm of Swords.
Arya's training with the Faceless Men remains an essential part of her arc that equips her to kill her enemies. Game of Thrones' final season saw the younger Stark sister kill the Night King; time will tell if her book counterpart will also play a vital role in the Others' defeat.
Changed: Reuniting With Jaqen
Arya's story diverted from the source material during the show's fifth season. After reaching the House of Black and White, Arya is reunited with Jaqen H'ghar, who continues to instruct her in the ways of the Faceless Men.
Jaqen doesn't greet Arya in Braavos in the books, having changed his identity and possibly infiltrated the Citadel. Arya is instead met by a character known as the kindly man after arriving in Braavos during A Feast for Crows.
Stayed The Same: Travelling With The Hound
Arya is kidnapped by the Hound in season 3 after fleeing from the Brotherhood Without Banners. The duo becomes an unlikely dream team during the following season as they travel through war-torn Westeros, with the Hound teaching Arya several important lessons for survival.
Arya's adventures with the Hound were largely accurate to the Song of Ice and Fire books. Her book counterpart travels with the disgraced knight before leaving him to die in A Storm of Swords.
Changed: Warging Into Nymeria
The mystical powers of the Stark children were toned down during in the television adaptation. Bran is the only Stark with the ability to warg animals in Game of Thrones. In A Song Ice and Fire, all of the Stark siblings can warg into their direwolves, including Arya.
Arya wargs into Nymeria multiple times during her dreams in the books. During one devastating scene, the direwolf retrieves Catelyn Stark's corpse from a river while Arya is unwittingly inhabiting her mind.
Stayed The Same: Learning To Water Dance
Arya's arc in the early seasons of Game of Thrones remained accurate to her story in the books. The spirited Stark sister struggles to fit in with life at the Capitol. Ned Stark hires Syrio Forel to train her in the art of sword dancing, initiating her journey as a budding warrior.
Syrio is an instrumental figure to Arya, inspiring her with his knowledge of water dancing and sacrificing himself during her flight from King's Landing. Many moments in Arya's story were altered from the books, but the show captured her and the integral moments in her hero's journey.