Brienne Tarth: Height, Actress, and Ending Explained

Brienne of Tarth, the towering knight from Game of Thrones, breaks the mold just by existing — and the actress who brings her to life, Gwendoline Christie, stands 6 feet 3 inches tall, as recorded by IMDb. This guide lays out everything: her backstory, her relationship with Jaime Lannister, how her height compares to the actress’s, and what her fate really was.

Actress height: 6’3″ (191 cm) ·
Character height (books): over 6 feet ·
First woman knight in Westeros: Yes ·
Father: Lord Selwyn Tarth ·
Played by: Gwendoline Christie

Here are the key facts about Brienne of Tarth.

Who is Brienne of Tarth?

Brienne’s childhood and father Selwyn Tarth

Brienne is the only surviving child of Lord Selwyn Tarth, the Evenstar of the island of Tarth. Her father, described in the show as a kind but distant figure, raised her in the castle of Evenfall Hall. From an early age she rejected traditional feminine roles, training instead with swords and shields — a decision her father reportedly supported, though with limited enthusiasm (HBO (official network)).

Her journey to becoming a knight

Brienne’s path to knighthood is a central arc. She first appears in the service of Renly Baratheon, then swears allegiance to Catelyn Stark. After Renly’s death, she escorts Catelyn and later Jaime Lannister. Her defining moment comes in Season 8 when Jaime knights her — the first woman to receive that honor in the Seven Kingdoms (HBO YouTube (official channel)).

The shield and sigil of House Tarth

House Tarth claims descent from Durran Godsgrief, the first Storm King. Their sigil is a quartered field: a white moon and a golden sun on a rose background, often described as “the Moon and the Sun” (Game of Thrones Fandom (fan-reference database)). The shield Brienne carries in the show bears a crescent moon and a star, reflecting her house’s symbolism.

Is Brienne of Tarth tall in real life?

Brienne’s height in the books and show

In George R.R. Martin’s novels, Brienne is described as “over six feet tall” with broad shoulders and a less conventionally feminine build. The show amplifies this by casting Gwendoline Christie, whose actual height of 6’3″ makes her one of the tallest women on screen (IMDb (comprehensive entertainment database)). In interviews, Christie has said her height was initially a hurdle in casting — she was told she “would not find roles that suited me” (People (celebrity news and profiles)).

How her height is portrayed in the series

The camera consistently frames Brienne as towering over most male and female characters — an intentional visual cue. In close-ups, her height is emphasized when she stands beside shorter actors like Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime) or Maisie Williams (Arya). This physical contrast underscores her outsider status and, later, her authority as a knight.

For another actress whose physical stature is central to her public identity, see the profile on Sigourney Weaver: Biography, Height, Ethnicity & Facts.

Why is Gwendoline Christie so tall?

Gwendoline Christie’s actual height

Christie stands 6 ft 3 in (191 cm), a height that places her in the top 1% of women in the United Kingdom. Born on October 28, 1978 in Worthing, Sussex, she was a track and field athlete before pursuing acting (IMDb (comprehensive entertainment database)). Her height is not the result of any medical condition; it is simply a natural genetic trait.

Her career and physicality as an actress

Before Game of Thrones, Christie struggled to find roles that valued her height. In a GQ interview, she said the Brienne role resonated personally because it matched her own experience of being “unusual and physically distinctive” (GQ (men’s culture and lifestyle magazine)). After Game of Thrones, she cast in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Captain Phasma) and The Sandman (Lucifer), roles that again leverage her striking physique.

A direct comparison between character and actress.

Did Jaime actually love Brienne?

Jaime and Brienne’s complicated relationship

From their forced journey from Riverrun to King’s Landing in Season 3 to the final episode, Jaime and Brienne share a bond built on mutual respect, vulnerability, and trust. Jaime gives her the Valyrian steel sword Oathkeeper in Season 4, saying she is “a better fighter than most men” (HBO YouTube (official channel)).

Evidence of Jaime’s love from the show and books

In the show, Jaime leaves for King’s Landing to be with Cersei in the final season, but before departing he knights Brienne and kisses her. He also writes her into the White Book of the Kingsguard, a deeply personal gesture. In the novels, Jaime’s feelings are more ambiguous — he thinks of her often but his actions remain tied to Cersei. Gwendoline Christie herself has said the relationship “felt like a real love story” (GQ).

Who did Jaime Lannister truly love?

The show’s ending leaves this open to interpretation. Jaime tells Brienne he has never been “with anyone else” (implying Cersei) and then returns to Cersei. Some fans see this as a tragic failure to break his addiction to his sister; others see it as a loyalty that Jaime could not escape. The showrunners have not clarified, so the debate continues.

What happened to Brienne of Tarth in the end?

Did Brienne of Tarth ever marry?

In the television series, Brienne never marries. There is no indication of a wedding or romantic partner outside of Jaime’s brief kiss. In the novels, she is not betrothed and her marital status remains unresolved.

Does Lady Brienne get pregnant?

The show does not depict Brienne as pregnant or having children. She becomes Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, a position that historically demands celibacy (though this rule is not strictly followed in the series). No canonical source suggests she becomes a parent.

Brienne’s fate in the series finale

In Season 8, Episode 6, Brienne is appointed to the Kingsguard under King Bran Stark. She completes Jaime’s page in the White Book, writing a heroic entry that includes his knighthood of her and his own deeds. This act solidifies her as the keeper of his legacy (HBO YouTube).

The implication: Brienne ends her arc not as a wife or mother, but as the keeper of a fellow knight’s memory, a role that honors her loyalty and martial identity.

Is Brienne of Tarth autistic?

Autistic traits observed in Brienne

Some fan discussions on forums and the Game of Thrones Fandom wiki have pointed out that Brienne displays traits often associated with autism: a literal understanding of honor, difficulty reading social cues, a lack of interest in romance and fashion, and a single-minded focus on duty (Game of Thrones Fandom (fan-reference database)). She is blunt, avoids eye contact in uncomfortable situations, and struggles with sarcasm.

Game of Thrones and autism recognition

Neither George R.R. Martin nor the showrunners have ever confirmed that Brienne is intended to be autistic. The interpretation remains a fan theory — one that resonates with many viewers who see their own experiences reflected in her character. Without official word, it stays in the speculative realm.

Quotes that define Brienne Tarth

“I had been told I would not find roles that suited me.” — Gwendoline Christie, on her height as a barrier before Game of Thrones

People (celebrity news and profiles)

“You’re a better fighter than most men.” — Jaime Lannister to Brienne, Season 4

HBO YouTube (official channel)

“The character’s experience connected with my own sense of being unusual and physically distinctive.” — Gwendoline Christie, on playing Brienne

GQ (men’s culture and lifestyle magazine)

For fans of Game of Thrones, the choice remains: accept the show’s conclusion as canon, or hold out hope for a different ending in the books. The wait continues — and Brienne’s story, like her height, stands tall even when unfinished.

While this article covers the basics, Brienne of Tarths ending and Jaime love provides a more detailed exploration of Brienne’s ending and her love for Jaime.

Frequently asked questions