Indira Varma in Game of Thrones: Everything You Need to Know About Ellaria and Her Clan
By James H. Sterling
Q1: Are all three Sand Snakes in the HBO show the biological daughters of Ellaria Sand?
A1: No. In the HBO television continuity, only Tyene Sand is the biological daughter of Ellaria Sand. Obara and Nymeria are Oberyn Martell's daughters from past relationships with other women, though they view Ellaria as their collective stepmother and political commander.
Q2: Did any of the Sand Snakes survive the events of Game of Thrones?
A2: None survived. Obara and Nymeria were killed in combat by Euron Greyjoy during the naval battle in Season 7, Episode 2. Tyene Sand died of poisoning by Cersei Lannister in the dungeons of King’s Landing in Season 7, Episode 3. Ellaria was left alive in chains to watch Tyene decay, eventually dying off-screen when the Red Keep collapsed during Daenerys Targaryen's assault in Season 8.
Q3: How does Ellaria Sand's character in the books differ from the TV version?
A3: In George R.R. Martin's books, Ellaria is an outspoken advocate for peace who actively begs the Sand Snakes to stop seeking vengeance. She has four young daughters with Oberyn, none of whom participate in assassinations. The TV show inverted her morality completely, making her an aggressive revolutionary who murders Doran Martell and Myrcella Baratheon.
James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.
