Everything you need to know about Melisandre, Game of Thrones’ Red Priestess
Throughout Game of Thrones the seductive Red Priestess Melisandre appeared to be a woman of fearful powers who possessed the wiles of a temptress to wield them to full effect. However, Carice van Houten’s character has proven to have far more depth than initially believed.
Below, we’ve rounded up key information and talking points about the mysterious Red Priestess and her role in Game of Thrones.
Who is Melisandre?
This section contains spoilers for George RR Martin's books
We already know that Melisandre hails from a city called Asshai, located to the East of Essos – and in George RR Martin's books, it's made clear that before she became a priestess of the Red God, the character went by the name of Melony, and was sold to the Red Temple as a slave.
Bu some fans have speculated that Melisandre may have another, secret identity.
According to one theory, she could be the child of a woman named Shiera Seastar, an illegitimate daughter of the Targaryen King Aegon IV, who lived many centuries before the era in which the current events of Game of Thrones are set.
Some of Martin's descriptions of how Shiera looked echo the author's descriptions of Melisandre, while others recall Shiera's brother Brynden Rivers, aka Bloodraven, with whom she had an incestuous relationship. Plus, like Melisandre, Shiera was also rumoured to use magical arts to preserve her youth and beauty.
In the books, it is strongly implied that Bloodraven went on to become the Three Eyed Crow – the ancient seer currently training Bran Stark, played on Game of Thrones by Max von Sydow (and known on the show as the Three Eyed Raven). It is currently unknown whether or not the television programme will choose to take the character in this direction.
Why do fans care who Melisandre's mother is?
This section contains possible spoilers for George RR Martin's books
At one point in Martin's book A Storm of Swords, Melisandre refers to a prophecy about Azor Ahai, a legendary hero whom many believe will be born again again to save the world from the darkness of the Others.
It reads: "When the red star bleeds and the darkness gathers, Azor Ahai shall be born again amidst smoke and salt to wake dragons out of stone."
Melisandre, as we've seen on the show, was previously convinced that the words referred to King Stannis Baratheon. Others have associated the prophecy with Daenerys Targaryen (who seems to fit both the "smoke" and the "dragons" part of the prediction). But a large number of fans still believe that Kit Harington's Jon Snow, who was killed at the end of season five and then resurrected by Melisandre in season six, will prove to be the series's ultimate hero.
According to some theories, if Melisandre really is the daughter of a woman named "Seastar", then she herself could be the bleeding "red star" described in the prophecy – and thus may need to sacrifice herself to secure Azor Ahai's return.
That said, it's arguably more likely that the words refer to a mysterious crimson comet, spotted over the skies of Westeros in both the books and in season two of the television show. Or perhaps the prophecy has two meanings? Either way, it's all very intriguing.
Just how old is Melisandre?
Most fans of the show – and of George RR Martin’s books – had already twigged that the character had been around for quite a while, a theory that was confirmed when Melisandre removed her clothes and transformed into an elderly woman in the first episode of the sixth season. It made for a dramatic and visually arresting ending to the episode.
In previous interviews van Houten has speculated that Melisandre could be hundreds of years old. When discussing the making of the season six premiere, she told People Magazine that she placed her character’s age at around "200-300 years".
What is Melisandre's role now?
Melisandre deliberately removed herself from events by the middle of season 7, but it appears she will return to our screens sooner rather than later. After meeting Daenerys Targaryen and advising her to meet with Jon Snow, King of the North, Varys confronted the Red Priestess. Melisandre told him that she will stay away from both Jon and Daenerys, declaring she has "brought ice and fire together"; that her work is done and she will head back to Volantis. Varys advises her not to return to Westeros, but she tells him she cannot heed his advice, as she must return to Westeros once more to face her end: like Varys, it is her fate, like Varys's to die in Westeros.
