Game of Thrones study predicts which characters will survive season 8

A Game of Thrones study has revealed which personality types are most likely to survive its final season.

Published in the the journal Injury Epidemiology, and titled “‘Death is certain, the time is not’: mortality and survival in Game of Thrones”, the study found more than half of the 330 studied characters — a whopping 186 — died over the course of the first seven seasons.

It also found that high-born, female, and less loyal characters who feature less regularly on the show are more likely to survive; while their respective counterparts are more likely to perish (so low-born, male, loyal characters who feature more prominently).

So, what does this mean for the remaining characters’ chances?

HBO

Well, it’s not good news for the likes of Varys and Tormund; who are both low-born, male characters — although their fans can take some comfort in the knowledge that both have switched allegiances during the series and don’t feature all that often.

Based on the study’s findings, Cersei Lannister — a serial turncoat and a high-born female who didn’t feature that predominantly in season seven — is the most likely to survive.

However, the end of the prophecy given to her by Maggy the frog in series one states that Cersei will be strangled to death by “the Valonqar”, which means “little brother/sibling” in Valyrian.

That particular part of the prophecy didn’t feature in the TV show flashback; but if the show has decided to stay faithful to George RR Martin’s plans, there may be a problem.

The study indicates that things are looking good for Sansa and Arya Stark, which is a surprise given how far North — and close to the incoming White Walkers — they are.

It also found that all GoT characters have a 14% chance of dying during their first hour on screen, and that the most likely cause of death is violent; with 13 decapitations to date.

Phew. That’s A LOT.

Game of Thrones returns to HBO in April 2019.

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