Gemma Whelan as Yara Greyjoy. Photo / HBO
Game of Thrones fans are over the moon after the show revealed a main character is gay, despite being depicted as straight in the books.
Asha Greyjoy (renamed Yara in the show) had a male lover in George RR Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, but was shown with a female prostitute in the show's latest episode.
Fans are super excited that such a strong character has been depicted as gay, taking to social media to celebrate.
Yara Greyjoy is my kinda woman. Damn what a strong, empowered female character. #GoT
— Gary O. (@TheNudeYogi) June 7, 2016
Yasss! Yara Greyjoy! Get some girl action! #mhmm #gameofthrones
— Pimpila (@PimpilaV) June 7, 2016
asha/yara greyjoy is a wonderful gay queen, pass it on
— Charlotte (@FreeAcces) June 7, 2016
Gemma Whelan, the actress who plays Yara, told HBO she had no idea her character was gay, but didn't think it was likely Yara would box herself in.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME."I reckon she's any way. I don't think she'd limit herself to one or another. Anything goes. Get the job done with whatever if [it's] fun and interesting," she said.
Thrones fans are now pinning all their hopes on Yara finding love with long-time show favourite Daenerys, as she's seeking an alliance with the Mother of Dragons, who has been open to relationships with women in the past.
But there's also a fear that now that she's been outed as gay, it's only a matter of time before Yara dies, as is wont to happen to gay characters in popular culture.
YARA GREYJOY IS A GAY WHAT A GLORIOUS DAY TO BE ALIVE ((but also protect her now there's almost certainly a stray arrow coming her way))
— danika (@danikaplowman) June 8, 2016
So how long until Yara Greyjoy dies, y'know since she's confirmed gay now.
— sophie! 🤺 (@jcseramos) June 7, 2016
Yara Greyjoy. Called it. Now let's see if Yara can survive being killed because you know that all on-screen lesbians die.
— Carly (@ScienceOfChic) June 7, 2016
Yara and her brother Theon are on their way to take a fleet of ships to Dany, to help her move her army to Westeros, and Whelan says Yara is definitely playing the "long game".
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME."A few people have tweeted me saying, 'Why does Yara keep running away from threats?'", she says, referring to the Kingsmoot in which Yara ran from Euron.
"It's because she's playing the long game. It's like chess and she plays several moves ahead - which makes her even more of a brilliant candidate to lead. She understands exactly how things will play out."
