Game of Thrones Showrunners Share Their Favorite Character Deaths
The epic fantasy series “Game of Thrones” left an indelible mark on television history, captivating audiences with its intricate plotlines, complex characters, and shocking deaths. As the showrunners, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, navigated the treacherous terrain of Westeros, they orchestrated some of the most memorable character exits.
Game of Thrones Showrunners Share Their Favorite Character Deaths
Weiss and Benioff revealed that their favourite deaths were those of the show’s truly sadistic villains. These moments allowed them to embrace the “old-fashioned joys” of eliminating a “really bad guy.”
Appearing on a new episode of the Happy Sad Confused podcast, the 3 Body Problem showrunners were asked to name their favorite character’s death and it turns out they have a lot in common with Game of Thrones fans.
“With Thrones, there was so much killing of good guys,” Weiss said, “and we finally got to really kill both Joffrey in season 4 and Ramsay Bolton in season 6. It was fun to go back to the old-fashioned joys of just killing off a really bad guy.”
Bolton, played by Iwan Rheon, was one of the show’s truly sadistic villains, a character whose death few lamented in the final moments of the show’s famous “Battle of the Bastards” episode. “It felt like it was balancing the scales a little,” Weiss said.
Benioff shared the sentiment about Bolton’s death. “You don’t really see the death. You see some of it in the background, but you don’t really see the death,” he said. “What you do see is Sophie [Turner]’s smile. It was all in one shot, and we did it seven times or something… She nailed it on the seventh or eighth time, and it was just that feeling of — that’s so epic. Sophie was so good. When she got that shot, I felt like I can now die happy.”
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Joffrey Baratheon
Season 4: Joffrey (played by Jack Gleeson) met his demise after drinking poisoned wine during his wedding feast. Lady Olenna Tyrell and Lord Petyr Baelish orchestrated his downfall.
Weiss emphasized the satisfaction of balancing the scales by eliminating such a malevolent character.
Ramsay Bolton
Season 6: Ramsay Bolton (Iwan Rheon), another sadistic villain, faced poetic justice. After losing a one-on-one fight to Jon Snow, he was locked in the kennels as a prisoner.
Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) watched as Ramsay was devoured by his own hungry hounds during the infamous “Battle of the Bastards.”
The Epic Shot
Benioff shared a behind-the-scenes gem: Sansa’s triumphant smile after releasing the hounds on Ramsay. The shot was meticulously crafted, filmed in one take, and repeated several times until Turner nailed it. For Benioff, witnessing that moment was akin to achieving epic storytelling perfection.
As fans, we relish these character deaths—whether they bring justice, redemption, or poetic irony. The Game of Thrones Showrunners Share Their Favorite Character Death’s ability to evoke powerful emotions through these pivotal moments is a testament to the enduring legacy of “Game of Thrones.”
Your Turn in the Kingdom (YTIK): What other character deaths from “Game of Thrones” impacted you? Share your thoughts and favourite moments in the comments below!
