'Game of Thrones' Season 8 Spoilers: Why Cersei May Become the Night Queen

There’s a long-running Game of Thrones theory that Cersei Lannister will wind up as Night Queen and leader of the White Walkers by the end of Season 8. It’s never been taken very seriously, however, mostly because it’s tough to imagine a scenario where Cersei becomes an undead monster in the first place. However, a new fan theory shared on Reddit offers a convincing and disturbing explanation for how it could happen in GoT’s final season.

Warning: Possible spoilers for Game of Thrones* Season 8 proceed.

What if Cersei isn’t forced to become a White Walker? What if instead, she becomes one by choice as a last ditch effort to defeat her “true” enemies, Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen? That’s the theory posited by redditor u/khays3424 in a recent post.

The theory hinges on the belief that Cersei’s plans will fail, possibly due to interference from Dany’s adviser Daario Naharis. At the same time, Cersei’s pregnancy could end in a miscarriage or something else “she doesn’t like.” With her back against the wall, Cersei will be more dangerous than ever (as we saw in her encounter with the High Sparrow).

“Realizing she cannot defeat the ‘fate’ that was predicted by the witch, she’ll decide to ‘end her life,’ … amongst the living at least,” u/khays3424 writes. “Perhaps she’ll march right up to the Night King, surrender and bend the knee or whatever, and become the Ice Queen, for the only chance of revenge she could have…after all, a Lannister always pays their debts.”

The “fate” referred to here is a witch’s prophecy in the books that Cersei would only have three children. However, as other commenters point out, the show version of Cersei actually had four children, but one died as a baby after coming down with a fever. So that “fate” might still hold up.

Finally, as another commenter points out, Cersei is “evil enough” that “she’d rather sacrifice herself to the Night King then bend the knee to Jon or Dany.”

There are still a few holes in this argument (as another commenter points out, the White Walkers should be able to reach King’s Landing long before Cersei gives birth), but despite a few inconsistencies, this would fit well with Cersei’s overarching narrative. We’ve seen her kill others indiscriminately to get her way. So why would we be surprised to learn that she’d sacrifice her own life as well it helps her come out on top in the end?

Game of Thrones Season 8 premieres in April 2019 on HBO.

Related video: Watch the official teaser trailer for Game of Thrones Season 8