Daenerys Targaryen's Age in Each Season: Navigating the Timeline of 'Game of Thrones'

The age of Daenerys Targaryen, also known as Daenerys Stormborn, significantly evolves throughout the series of Game of Thrones. The extent of her aging process is a complex interplay between the books and the show, often resulting in differing timelines and age calculations. Let's explore her age progression in detail:

Age Timeline in the Books

In the books, the timeline is less clear due to various factors, including simultaneous events across multiple books. The main character, Daenerys Stormborn, is introduced at the age of 13. However, the exact years between books can vary, making it challenging to pinpoint her age precisely. By the end of the series, you can estimate that Daenerys is approximately 15 years old. This estimation is based on the following time frame:

Book 1: Daenerys is 13. Book 2: Daenerys is 14. Book 3: Daenerys is 15.

Age Timeline in the Show

The Show, on the other hand, presents a more straightforward timeline with a clear progression. Here's Daenerys's age in each season:

Season 1: Daenerys is 16 years old. Season 2: She is 17 years old. Season 3: Daenerys is 18 years old. Season 4: She turns 19. Season 5: Daenerys is 20 years old. Season 6: She is 21 years old. Season 7: Daenerys is 22 years old. Season 8: She is 23 years old.

The show's timeline typically follows a one-year-per-season pace, with some variations due to plot events and pacing differences. The actors, however, do not age at the same rate as their characters, adding another layer of complexity to the age calculation.

Timeline Adjustments

To better understand the differences between the books and the show, consider the following points:

1. Catelyn's Account: Catelyn Stark in Season 1 mentions that Ned brought Jon home 17 years ago, and Daenerys is about 8–9 months younger than Jon. Assuming 1 year per season, this would align with the show's timeline:

Season 1: 16 Season 2: 17 Season 3: 18 Season 4: 19 Season 5: 20 Season 6: 21 Season 7: 22 Season 8: 23

2. Time Magazine Analysis: According to Time Magazine, the show's pace is about a year per season, making Queen Dany approximately 24 years old.

3. Variable Timeframes: In the books, the timeline is more complex. If we assume each book/season is 3–6 months apart, weeks and months still pass as the seasons/books progress:

Book/Season 1: 13–14 Book/Season 2: 14–15 Book/Season 3: 15–16 Book/Season 4: 16–17 Book/Season 5: 17–18 Book/Season 6: 18–19 Book/Season 7: 19–20 Book/Season 8: 20–21 (assuming the next book will continue from here)

Conclusion

The age of Daenerys Targaryen in 'Game of Thrones' is a fascinating subject that crosses both the books and the show. While the books offer a more fluid and complex timeline, the show presents a straightforward, season-based progression. Understanding these differences helps readers and viewers follow the character's journey and the progression of the story more effectively.