Being cast on Game of Thrones can be a mixed blessing.
On one hand, acting in HBO's hottest series can seriously boost your acting résumé.
On the other hand, given the show's history, you're probably going to get killed off sooner
or later — as this long list of casualties can attest.
Here's a look at some of the major characters who have died on the show, and where the actors
who played them are today.
Harry Lloyd - Viserys Targaryen
He was supposed to be the true King of Westeros, but Viserys Targaryen was the first main character
to meet his maker on Game of Thrones, when Khal Drogo "crowned" him with molten gold
during season one.
Actor Harry Lloyd has kept himself busy since dying on Game of Thrones, continuing to act
on television and in movies like The Theory of Everything.
His next project is a starring role in the 2018 Starz sci-fi thriller series Counterpart.
Mark Addy - Robert Baratheon
After a hunting trip gone wrong in season one, King Robert Baratheon, first of his name,
died, prompting his best friend Ned Stark to take action against the machinations of
Cersei and Joffrey.
Since leaving Thrones, star Mark Addy has surfaced on several television series, including
Great Expectations and The Syndicate.
More recently, Addy appeared in the 2016 miniseries Jericho, and as a detective in the 2016 crime
drama series New Blood.
Sean Bean - Ned Stark
After Robert's death, Ned Stark tried to take control, sending a letter to Robert's brother,
Stannis, inviting him to come take his rightful place on the throne.
Unfortunately for Ned, Cersei was two steps ahead of him, and Ned famously lost his head
on the executioner's block at the end of season one.
"You know which is a sacrifice of himself for his family, which is a very moving and
touching moment.
And a good way to go, really."
Although Bean has a reputation for being killed off in many of his projects, he hasn't let
that stop his acting career.
Since Thrones, he's appeared in a variety of projects, including The Martian and Legends,
and some of his other recent work includes roles in the six-part BBC miniseries Broken
and the 2017 thriller film Drone.
Jason Momoa - Khal Drogo
Although Khal Drogo was dead essentially from the moment that old evil witch lady infected
his wound with her fake medicine, his actual death was much more tragic, as Daenerys had
to suffocate him with a pillow to put him out of his misery at the end of season one.
Jason Momoa's brief Game of Thrones tenure served him well in Hollywood, leading to win
the role of Aquaman in the DC Extended Universe films Batman v Superman, Justice League, and
2018's Aquaman solo adventure.
And Momoa seems like he's enjoying the ride.
"Yahoo!"
Gethin Anthony - Renly Baratheon
Following King Robert's death, his younger brother Renly attempted to claim the throne.
Renly had one of the largest armies in the Seven Kingdoms and was beloved by everyone.
Everyone except his brother Stannis, however, who used black magic to murder Renly in season
two.
After Game of Thrones, actor Gethin Anthony appeared in the 2014 film Copenhagen as well
as the popular series Call The Midwife, then demonstrated his range by playing Charles
Manson in the NBC period crime drama Aquarius.
He also provided the voice of Gil Brodie in the video game Mass Effect: Andromeda.
Oona Chaplin - Talisa Maegyr
Standing in for the book character of Jeyne Westerling, Talisa Maegyr married Robb Stark,
the King in the North.
Unfortunately, Robb was already engaged to the granddaughter of Lord Walder Frey, who
exacted his revenge by murdering Talisa at the Red Wedding in season three.
After Game of Thrones, Oona Chaplin starred in the 2014 miniseries The Crimson Field and
an episode of the popular television show Black Mirror, as well as the 2015 movie The
Longest Ride.
Some of her latest projects include starring roles in the 2017 Spanish comedy film As We
Like It, and the British drama series Taboo.
Richard Madden - Robb Stark
The King in the North, Robb Stark met his end beside his beloved Talisa, taking a knife
to the heart from the traitorous Roose Bolton.
It was a traumatic way for actor Richard Madden to end his time on the show.
"I managed to get on the plane, covered in fake blood.
I was kinda upset at the end of the whole job.
I kinda looked like I murdered someone and got on the flight."
Following his exit from Game of Thrones in 2014, Madden appeared in the series Medici:
Masters of Florence and as the Prince in the 2015 live-action Disney adaptation of Cinderella.
More recently, Madden can be seen in the 2017 Amazon original series Oasis.
Michelle Fairley - Catelyn Stark
Though Catelyn dedicated her life to protecting her children, she died at the Red Wedding
believing she had failed them all.
Since her terrible death in season three, actress Michelle Fairley has stayed busy with
projects including the television series Resurrection and the movie In the Heart of the Sea, as
well as the Starz miniseries The White Princess.
Jack Gleeson - Joffrey Baratheon
Thankfully, the reign of psychopathic boy king Joffrey Baratheon's came to an early
end.
Joffrey married the widowed Margaery Tyrell, but his reputation as an evil jerk preceded
him, so her grandmother protected her by slipping some fast-acting poison into his cup at the
reception.
Jack Gleeson retired from screen acting after Game of Thrones, but he remains involved in
the arts.
He founded Collapsing Horse Theatre Company in Ireland, which won an award for their puppet
show Bears in Space at the 2016 1st Irish Theatre Festival in New York City.
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