Which Stark direwolf is killed by wights in the show but remains alive in the published novels?

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The Stark direwolf killed by wights in the show but still alive in the published novels is Summer.

Summer is Bran Stark’s direwolf and his closest animal companion. In the novels, Bran frequently enters Summer’s mind through warging, experiencing the world through the wolf’s senses. Summer travels with Bran beyond the Wall and remains alive in the latest published book, A Dance with Dragons, although the novels leave Bran’s wider storyline unfinished.

The television series kills Summer during season 6’s “The Door.” When wights attack the cave of the Three-Eyed Raven, Summer fights to hold them back while Meera tries to escape with Bran and the others. The direwolf is overwhelmed as Hodor, Leaf, and other defenders also sacrifice themselves during the escape.

Summer is commonly mixed up with Shaggydog, whose severed head is shown earlier in season 6. Grey Wind dies at the Red Wedding, while Ghost and Nymeria survive the series. Lady is executed in season 1 after the incident involving Arya and Prince Joffrey.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Sept. 2026

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