Game Of Thrones: All 26 Characters From Season 1 (Who Aren’t Dead Yet) - Ranked

4. The Hound

Easily the best of the Clegane brothers, Sandor is a complete contradiction of a character. He was introduced as a murderous force of nature, with no compulsions that didn't serve his quest for payment and ale, who thought little of tormenting little Stark girls, but he's somehow carved out a position as the Game Of Thrones version of the Iron Giant.

Over the seasons - taking in his "death" and rebirth as a seemingly simpler man - he has softened hugely, though he hasn't been blunted. He is a man apart, and thanks to the excellent writing that so charitably gives him dialogue that feels like T-shirt slogans and the performance of Rory McCann, he's weirdly, perversely beloved.

He's also one part of one of the most anticipated upcoming moments in Clegane Bowl, but that is almost reductive, because the idea of him coming face to face with most of the show's best remaining characters (especially Arya) is a thing of beauty.

If only he could buck the trend of redeemed old gunslingers and not be killed off as he so inevitably will be.