"Ah, hey, do you want to watch this new Lord of the Rings-looking show? It's even got Sean Bean in it," would've been the first line that most people would've said back in the day. "Nah, Sean Bean can't die, he's the only famous one," would've also been uttered in your household midway through the season, after all he was the main character and the biggest actor in HBO's new fantasy epic. Season 1's ninth instalment flipped the entire show on it's head (pun intended?) with the execution of Ned Stark. It remains possibly the most surprising moment in the series to date because back then, fans had no idea how reckless George R.R. Martin was with his writing. This was no ordinary production, and there'd be no Hollywood-esque, last-gasp saviour. Ned Stark was dispatched to the horror of the audience, but Sean Bean served his purpose beautifully. His name grabbed people's interest, and his death secured people's attention.
What Culture contributor. NCTJ accredited Sports Journalist. Regret-filled Sunderland AFC season ticket holder. Optimism-filled NFL fan. Lover of all things Game Of Thrones, Breaking Bad, Walking Dead & more.
