Game of Thrones season 8 theories: Varys is about to betray Daenerys and it won't end well for him

Update: Following the broadcast of the penultimate episode, Conleth Hill – the actor who plays Varys – has admitted to being frustrated with the treatment of his character over the past few seasons of the show.

Lord Varys has long been the shrewdest character on Game of Thrones, but his latest decision may fulfil a dark prophecy.

The Spider (Conleth Hill) left King’s Landing to stand by Daenerys’s side many seasons ago, which makes his revelation – that he no longer believes in the Dragon Queen – all the more surprising. In last week’s episode, he expressed his concerns with Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) and suggested that Jon Snow (Kit Harington) should be the one to sit on the Iron Throne.

Varys’s current viewpoint is miles away from the one he had back in the HBO show’s fifth season. After helping Tyrion escape his cell in King’s Landing – with the help of Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) – after he was framed for Joffrey’s murder, Varys brought Tyrion to Daenerys (Emilia Clarke), telling him the below:

“The Seven Kingdoms need someone stronger than Tommen, but gentler than Stannis. A monarch who could intimidate the High Lords and inspire the people. A ruler loved by millions, with a powerful army, and the right family name.”

Upon being asked which male he had in mind, Varys replies: ”Who said anything about ‘him’?”

Now, it seems that Varys’s wavering loyalty – perhaps spurred on by Daenerys’ desire to wreak havoc on the innocent civilians of King’s Landing – will see him potentially commit treason. Considering Dany’s been pushed to the limit in recent weeks – the deaths of Jorah (Iain Glen) and Missandei (Nathalie Emmanuel), two of her most loyal aides, not to mention the death of yet another dragon and the realisation that the man she loves is not only her nephew but the true heir to the Iron Throne – losing Varys as a follower will spark rage.

It’s no stretch to assume that Varys’ decision could prove fatal. While many assumed Varys would die at the hands of Cersei (Lena Headey) or The Mountain (Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson), could Daenerys be the one to deliver the blow? It’s something that will see Melisandre’s dark warning to him in season seven come true.

“I will return [to Westeros], dear Spider, one last time. I have to die in this strange country, just like you.”

Sure enough, Melisandre (Carice van Houten) did return – just in time for the Battle of Winterfell – and died. It now looks like Varys’s time is up.

“I beg you, Your Grace — do not destroy the city you came to save. Do not become what you have always struggled to defeat,” Varys told her last week. It seems like that could be exactly what she’s about to become – and many fans are not happy about it.

Varys has been open about being willing to die if it meant the right person ended up ruling the Seven Kingdoms. Should Dany burn King’s Landing to the ground, it could force Jon Snow to stop her – and if this happens, Varys will have the last laugh.