Same thing here. Not that I don't like Davos' TV version, mind you, but so far he is one of the most different characters from what I pictured from the books.

Gwendoline Christie (the actress) is 6'3". No worries there.

Am I the only one who doesn't think Brienne looks that ugly here?

Actually, the very first description we get of Brienne is from Cat's POV (certainly not an asshole) and she thinks to herself something along the lines of "is there anything in the world sadder than an ugly woman?"

Brienne sure sounds ugly by modern standards in the book (see Wikipedia's description below). There's more going on with her than merely being a somewhat masculine woman. And she is, in fact, considered flat out ugly by non-assholes like Cat.

"Brienne is abnormally large and strong for a woman, and exceeds most men in size. She has large, very blue eyes that appear trusting and guileless, but they are her only attractive feature. She is extremely broad-shouldered, but has virtually no bust. Her face is broad and coarse, with a nose that has been broken several times. Her mouth is too wide, with prominent and crooked teeth and lips so plump they seem swollen. Her hair is the color of dirty straw and her face is mottled with freckles."

Maybe I'm damaged by living in Sweden or something but yes. That would rank as ugly. Are you looking for straight-up deformed here? Lady looks like a dude. Whether or not she makes a pretty boy doesn't really matter to her contemporary society. Comparing to Arya and Tyrion, she's definately the one hitting closest to the mark re: unattractiveness.

Look at what Gwendoline Christie usually looks like. Then back to this. Back to Gwendoline, then back to this. The lady is now a self-loathing androgynous (and not in the bish way) brutish warrior with what looks like a chronic bad hair and skin day.

But not only that, she looks strong and capable. Not strong as in "strong independent woman", but more like in she could take anyone of us commenters, snap us as a twig and with just by the strength of her arms use our torso as an anti-Lannister WMD.

I for one am hella impressed. And no, that lady wouldn't have dudes throwing themselves at her in our world even if she had money and power (which was the main draw for Brienne's past suitors). The world of AGOT isn't really a nice or fair place, it's pretty terriballs. Brienne's story reflects this more than many others, and I already feel like I'm liking Brienne more having seen this shot.

(Yes, my tone here is terrible and I'm sorry but I'm trying to make a point here. We say she's not ugly enough because most of us are brought up to not be dicks. Not so in Westerosi nobility.)

my guess is that this still is a costume from after Cat spirits her away and garbs her.

but damn, she's an amazing fit. that picture is priceless; the expression alone...

Her audition was brilliant. She was Brienne. Period.