15 Dead Game Of Thrones Characters (That Are Still Alive In The Books)

Game of Thrones director David Nutter and Brienne of Tarth actress Gwendoline Christie have been amongst the many involved with the show to confirm the death of Stannis Baratheon, last seen wounded after his assault on Winterfell in season five's final episode, which was ill-fated despite the sacrifice of his daughter Shireen.

Jon Snow's death in the same episode has been 'confirmed' by several sources also, so Stannis may well remain alive. Given that he was last seen hamstrung and telling Brienne to 'do her duty' by avenging his murder of his brother Renly, however, it's fair to assume that he's a goner.

Stannis' decision to sacrifice Shireen may have earned him scorn throughout the fan community, but killing him off so shortly afterwards seems a bit premature. In the books, his campaign against the Boltons is in a much better position, given that his army have not deserted him and that internal strife between the Manderlys and the Freys is adversely affecting the Bolton condition. 

The battle between the respective groups seems set to happen at the beginning of The Winds Of Winter, but it's hard to see book Stannis, who has not murdered his own daughter, meeting the same fate as his show counterpart just yet, given that Davos has been securing him alliances behind the scenes and both Theon and Asha Greyjoy are in his possession as prisoners.

Again, this is another area where the sixth season will be entering uncharted territory. As the last Baraethon, Stannis will surely be missed, as questions loom over how the titular 'Game of Thrones' will now pan out given the loss of another major player.