Sansa Stark did not become engaged to Ramsay Bolton in the books on which “Game Of Thrones” is based.
Showrunner David Benioff tells Entertainment Weekly that Petyr Baelish arranges the Bolton-Stark marriage because Benioff & Co. want to keep Sophie Turner, who plays Sansa, in the show – and there simply isn’t enough Sansa plot in the published books to afford the actress a lot of screen time.
(Benioff knows a lot about what happens in George R.R. Martin’s final two unfinished and unpublished novels about the Lannisters and Starks. I wonder if Martin gives Sansa more to do in those.)
Book spoilers in invisotext: In the novels, Ramsay attempts to solidify the Boltons’ hold on The North not by marrying Sansa -- but by marrying “Arya Stark,” who is actually Jeyne Poole, a daughter of a Winterfell servant coached by the Boltons to impersonate Ayra.
And in the novels Baelish announces his intention to have Sansa marry handsome Harrold Hardyng, a cousin to Jon Arryn who would serve as Lord of the Eyrie and Warden of the East in the event of Lysa Arryn’s teen son’s untimely demise.
Team Benioff appears to be far less interested in keeping the surviving male Starks on screen this season. While the TV version of Bran Stark has pretty much exhausted all the Bran story in the five published novels, no one appears to be making up non-book stuff for Bran to do in the HBO series this season.
HBO did not air a “Thrones” episode on Memorial Day Weekend in 2013 or 2014, but that changes this year. Five new episodes will air in May, with this year’s final two “Thrones” episodes airing in June. Loglines for May’s five episodes:
Episode #44: “Sons of the Harpy”
SUNDAY, MAY 3
The Faith Militant grow increasingly aggressive. Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) and Bronn (Jerome Flynn) head south. Ellaria (Indira Varma) and the Sand Snakes vow vengeance. Written by Dave Hill; directed by Mark Mylod.
Episode #45: “Kill the Boy”
SUNDAY, MAY 10
Dany (Emilia Clarke) makes a difficult decision in Meereen. Jon (Kit Harington) recruits the help of an unexpected ally. Brienne (Gwendoline Christie) searches for Sansa (Sophie Turner). Theon (Alfie Allen) remains under Ramsay’s (Iwan Rheon) control. Written by Bryan Cogman; directed by Jeremy Podeswa.
Episode #46: “Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken”
SUNDAY, MAY 17
Arya (Maisie Williams) trains. Jorah (Iain Glen) and Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) run into slavers. Trystane (Toby Sebastian) and Myrcella (Nell Tiger Free) make plans. Jaime and Bronn reach their destination. The Sand Snakes attack. Written by Bryan Cogman; directed by Jeremy Podeswa.
Episode #47: “The Gift”
SUNDAY, MAY 24
Jon prepares for conflict. Sansa tries to talk to Theon. Brienne waits for a sign. Stannis (Stephen Dillane) remains stubborn. Jaime attempts to reconnect with family. Written by David Benioff & D.B. Weiss; directed by Miguel Sapochnik.
Episode #48: “Hardhome”
SUNDAY, MAY 31
Arya makes progress in her training. Sansa confronts an old friend. Cersei (Lena Headey) struggles. Jon travels. Written by David Benioff & D.B. Weiss; directed by Miguel Sapochnik.
Find all of EW’s story on the matter here.
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