Claim: Melisandre was in a novel in a series by George R. R. Martin.

Melisandre of Asshai is a fictional character in the A Song of Ice and Fire series of fantasy novels by American author George R. R. Martin , and its television adaptation Game of Thrones . She is a priestess of the god R'hllor and a close advisor to King Stannis Baratheon in his campaign to take the Iron Throne . She is often nicknamed The Red Woman due to the color of her hair and clothes .   Introduced in 1998 's A Clash of Kings , Melisandre originates from the continent Essos and has come to Westeros to propagate her faith in the Red God . She subsequently appeared in Martin 's A Storm of Swords -LRB- 2000 -RRB- and A Dance with Dragons -LRB- 2011 -RRB- .   Melisandre is portrayed by Dutch actress Carice van Houten in the HBO television adaptation .