Lady Redrobes

2014

Game of Thrones

Melisandre, often called the Red Woman, is a pivotal character in HBO's Game of Thrones. She is a priestess of the Lord of Light, R'hllor, a foreign religion gaining traction in Westeros. Originally from Asshai, a mysterious city far to the east, she possesses powerful magical abilities, including prophecy, shadowbinding, and resurrection.

Melisandre arrives in Westeros as an advisor to Stannis Baratheon, whom she believes to be Azor Ahai reborn, a prophesied hero destined to save the world from darkness. Her influence over Stannis is significant, shaping his political decisions and religious fervor. She uses her magic to aid his campaign, but also demands sacrifices, including burning people alive as offerings to R'hllor.

After Stannis' defeat, Melisandre flees to Castle Black and later joins Jon Snow. Initially, she misinterprets the prophecy, but her faith in the Lord of Light remains unwavering. A key moment is her successful resurrection of Jon Snow after his assassination. Though her motives are often questioned, Melisandre is ultimately driven by a belief in the fight against the Great Other and serves a vital role in the battles against the Night King.