“What is dead may never die” was the unofficial theme at the Game of Thrones final season red carpet extravaganza at Radio City Hall in New York City last week, as many of those who have perished attended the celebratory event. Ned Stark (Sean Bean), Khal Drogo (Jason Momoa), Oberyn (Pedro Pascal), Ygritte (Rose Leslie) and Joffrey (Jack Gleeson) joined cast members who made it to the final season, but all bets are off when it comes to predicting who will survive winter.
As the sun shone in New York City, a giant Iron Throne was erected outside Rockefeller Center. It is maybe an understatement to say expectations for this final season are relative to the size of this throne.
On Game of Thrones, weddings have often provided an occasion for fancy attire, but thankfully this was a far more peaceful and less bloody affair with just as many fabulous frocks. Below are some of SYFY FANGRRLS' favorite highlights from the red carpet.
Talk about gasp-worthy. Gwendoline Christie once again showed her
fashion maven credentials in an Iris Van Herpen Couture gown, a fantasy dream of a dress which was made to spread her wings in. This premiere is a time to go big, and Christie did that and then some as she set the red carpet alight far beyond the fiery backdrop.
It's time to bend the knee to this style queen.
One for the Brienne and Jaime shippers! Not only is Nikolaj Coster-Waldau looking at Christie like there is no one else in the room, but his floral jacquard attire (sadly, the pattern does not show up in this photo) provided a fun twist on a black suit.
Last season included a rather tense reunion between Stark sisters, but hopefully, Season 8 will see this pair trusting each other instead of assuming the worst. IRL besties Sophie Turner and Maisie Williams have been doing the
promotional rounds together — much to our delight — and they also gravitated toward each other on the red carpet.
Williams showed off her new cute af purple hair, and her Miu Miu ruffled frock served goth mermaid vibes. Going short in star-covered Louis Vuitton, Turner leaned a little edgier with an exposed dress zip and super smoky eyes. The best thing about these outfits is the fact that they complement each other without being matchy-matchy.
Turner's real-life fiance Joe Jonas had better watch out when King Joffrey is about.
Pedro Pascal was living his best life on this red carpet snuggling up with his former onscreen love Indira Varma — Ellaria Sand is not dead, but she might as well be, as she languishes in a cell — and with the man who ended his brief, but memorable stint on
Game of Thrones. If for some reason you had forgotten how Oberyn met his end, then Pascal was willing to jog your memory. Thankfully, Hafþor Julius Bjornsson looked a lot less terrifying out of his Mountain attire, embracing a botanical motif.
After seeing Pilou Asbæk looking this dapper it's time to dig out the Euron Greyjoy gif as he rides on horseback through King’s Landing. Keeping with the horse theme was Kristian Nairn; if Hodor had his own sigil it would look like this. And, because it's always nice to see the Stark patriarch, Sean Bean kept things classic and also kept his head.
Unlike their onscreen counterparts, Rose Leslie and Kit Harington’s love story continues. The black turtleneck was a big trend of the night (thankfully, Elizabeth Holmes has not killed this garment) as Harington also opted for all-black attire. Once a member of the Night’s Watch, always a member of the Night's Watch — although this was a lot less furry. Meanwhile, Rose Leslie looked like she'd picked a side between fire and ice in a stunning Oscar de la Renta gown.
Jason Momoa was having another pink moment — though he left
the scrunchie at home — this time in Tom Ford jacket and pants paired with a Valentino shirt. Lisa Bonet’s Motherpeace Tarot inspired Gucci gown was High Priestess-adjacent, showing how to be on theme without looking like she borrowed an actual costume.
Black and white gowns are a red carpet staple, but there are plenty of ways to wear this classic trend. Natalie Dormer met a rather grizzly end — on
Game of Thrones it is rare to live peacefully — and while Queen Margaery did not get to live out her fantasy life, Dormer served up a look in Armani with bonus pockets and sparkly detail.
Avoiding any comparison to her character, Carice van Houten eschewed the color red in a gorgeous power shoulder Ronald van der Kemp white frock with gold piping. No need for a mystical necklace here. And, throwing in a bit of color into the black-and-white palette was Sibel Kekilli in an ideal for spring floral number, a far throw from Shae’s peachy garments.
It is going to be tiresome if Season 8 opts for a Sansa versus Daenerys plot, but for now, bask in the shared power of Sophie Turner, Nathalie Emmanuel, and Emilia Clarke. All three women gave great face with either bold lipstick or dramatic eye. The Night King might have those piercing baby blues, but he is lacking the sartorial prowess of this cast.
The Lannisters close things out with an impromptu dance party as they send their regards.
Game of Thrones returns for Season 8 on Sunday, April 14 on HBO.
