Who Is Gilly in Game of Thrones
Gilly is a recurring character in the HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones, portrayed by actress Hannah Murray. She first appears in season 2 as a wildling woman living beyond the Wall with her father and later becomes a central figure in Samwell Tarly's storyline. Her character is based on figures from George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire novels and serves as a lens into the lives of the Free Folk HBO Game of Thrones.
Gilly's real name is not revealed in the show, and she is primarily identified by the nickname given to her by Samwell Tarly. She is a young wildling who flees the destruction of the Fist of the First Men with Sam, Maester Aemon, and the remaining members of the Night's Watch. Her presence humanizes the wildling storyline and provides a direct contrast to the rigid social structures of the Seven Kingdoms.
Gilly's Story Arc and Key Moments
Season 2 and 3: Survival and Escape
Gilly is introduced in season 2 as a wildling woman whose infant son is born at the Fist of the First Men. She is one of the survivors who joins Samwell Tarly and the Night's Watch deserters in their retreat south. Her early scenes focus on the harsh realities of life beyond the Wall and the immediate dangers posed by White Walkers and hostile wildling factions.
In season 3, Gilly and Samwell travel with the remaining Night's Watch members to Castle Black. She becomes a subject of prejudice among some members of the Watch due to her wildling origin. Her relationship with Samwell grows during this period, and she provides critical information about the threat beyond the Wall, including the existence of dragon glass and the army of the dead.
Season 4 and 5: The Citadel and Hardhome
In season 4, Samwell brings Gilly and her baby to the Citadel in Oldtown to become a maester, where they live under assumed identities. Gilly's quiet strength and resilience are highlighted as she adapts to life in the Citadel while Samwell pursues his studies. Her presence in Oldtown becomes a key plot point when Samwell uses her as a disguise to access restricted areas Forbes Entertainment.
Season 5 marks a turning point for Gilly when she is among the wildlings resettled south of the Wall by Jon Snow. She is present at Hardhome and later at the Wall, where her son's true parentage is revealed. This revelation has significant implications for the succession and political dynamics in Westeros, tying Gilly directly to major narrative threads involving the Targaryen dynasty and the legitimacy of Jon Snow's claim.
Gilly's Role in the Final Seasons and Legacy
Season 6 and 7: The Battle of Winterfell and Beyond
Gilly appears in the background during the Battle of Winterfell in season 6, where she and her son are among the civilians sheltered in the crypts. Her presence underscores the human cost of the war against the dead and reinforces the theme of survival across all social classes in Westeros. She remains a supporting character during the political conflicts that follow, including the debate over the future of the realm.
In season 7, Gilly is present at Winterfell as Sansa Stark assumes control of the North. She continues to support Samwell in his role as a maester and is part of the broader ensemble that faces the threat of the Army of the Dead. Her storyline remains tied to Samwell's, and their journey from outcasts to