While the trauma of being a Game Of Thrones fan is well documented (He’s not dead, is he? He can’t be dead… he really looks like he’s dead!), spare a thought for the actors, none of whom can be confident they’ll still have a job by the end of the season. Spoilers ahead!
Ian McElhinney felt the sharp end of that truth last time out when Ser Barristan Selmy bit the dust, and the actor is clearly disappointed he's not returning for round six. “Truthfully, miffed,” said McElhinney when asked at London’s MCM Comic Con how he felt about his character’s passing. “But I knew before I even saw the script because I got the schedule. Unfortunately I’d read the books, so I had expectations for season five.”
“If I’m honest, I was a bit disappointed by that,” continued the star, explaining that he was only told of his character’s fate after directly confronting the showrunners. “I felt I should have known. It wouldn’t have made any difference, but I felt that as a matter of just courtesy, I should have known. I was disappointed because I had enjoyed playing the part and I was looking forward to getting more meat in the part and I had to dared to presume that I would at least go into season six.”
All men must die, Ser Barristan. All men must die. Game Of Thrones will return in the spring, when doubtless a whole new batch of fan favourites will find their heads on the chopping block.
