Game of Thrones was an incredibly popular TV series, largely due to its shock factor and lack of plot armor. Any character could die at any time, even if they were a main character with a lot of potential. Game of Thrones killed characters regardless of whether they were good or bad people, which represented what life is really like.

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Despite how much people enjoyed the shocking moments of Game of Thrones, there were also some horribly sad times. Characters rarely died peacefully. The majority had very painful deaths, lost their lives in unspeakable ways, or were betrayed by the people they loved and cared about the most.

10 Ned Stark Died Too Soon

Season 1, Episode 9

Ned Stark praying before executing a Night's Watch deserter in Game of Thrones.

Eddard Stark was expected to be a major character throughout Game of Thrones, considering his position and links to many storylines. Sadly, Ned was beheaded in the first season after uncovering the illegitimacy of Cersei’s children and heirs.

Both of Ned’s daughters, Sansa and Arya, were present during his death. Even more tragically, Joffrey forced Sansa to look at Ned’s head on a spike. Ned died as a traitor, despite being an incredibly honorable and loyal man. His death also meant that Jon’s parentage was not revealed until the final season, and the information would’ve come in handy much sooner.

9 Myrcella Was Young And Innocent

Season 5, Episode 10

Myrcella Hugs Jaime Before She Dies in Game of Thrones

Cersei committed a great many crimes in her life, and one of her very few redeeming features was the love and dedication she had for her children. Cersei hadn’t seen Myrcella in a long time and looked forward to holding her daughter once again.

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Ellaria took their reunion and Myrcella’s life away out of anger and vengeance. This was especially sad, as Myrcella was young and innocent, and it was horrible to watch her die in Jaime’s arms right after she acknowledged him as her father.

8 Jon Was Murdered By His Fellow Men

Season 5, Episode 10

Jon Snow's body in Game of Thrones.

Jon was excited as he rushed down the stairs at Castle Black, but that quickly turned into shock as he realized that Olly led him to his grave. Many members of the Night’s Watch had gathered to stab their Lord Commander in the heart and leave him out in the snow alone to die.

Jon was betrayed by his own men after pledging his life to the Watch. It was a very sad way for a fan-favorite character to die, but thankfully, he was eventually resurrected and made his killers pay for their crimes.

7 Theon Redeemed And Sacrificed Himself

Season 8, Episode 3

Theon Greyjoy defends Bran against the Night King

Theon’s story was a tragic one. He survived torture and abuse on such a horrific scale but managed to find himself again after having his identity and name stripped away by Ramsay Bolton. Theon was no longer a Greyjoy and didn't see himself as a person anymore, just Reek.

Theon made mistakes in his life; he betrayed people who were, whether he liked it or not, his family. Thankfully, he turned his life around and had a wonderful redemption arc. This made it even more tragic when Theon died fighting against the Night King as he attempted to protect Bran.

6 Ygritte Died Fighting

Season 4, Episode 9

Ygritte (Rose Leslie) from Game of Thrones

Ygritte was a wild, free, and independent person who spent her life fighting. All she and her people wanted was to come beyond the wall and find safety from the White Walkers, but the Night’s Watch refused.

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Ygritte lost her life while fighting for the Wildlings. When Olly shot an arrow through her, she and Jon locked eyes and, even though she swore she would kill him, she didn't attempt to do so. Instead, Jon held her as she bled out and died, uttering her iconic final words.

5 Oberyn Met A Gory End

Season 4, Episode 8

oberyn and ellaria martell in standing with their heads together in the courytard

In Tyrion’s trial by combat, the Mountain managed to regain his advantage over Oberyn. Clegane was a brutal and evil man who took his chance to kill Oberyn and crushed Oberyn's head with his bare hands. It was gory and appalling to see, as all he wanted was to avenge his sister and her children.

Game of Thrones was full of twists and unexpected moments, but this fight really topped it. Ellaria’s blood-curdling scream and deep sadness just furthered the scene's tragedy, and fans were left to mourn someone so well-liked.

4 Stannis Let Shireen Burn

Season 5, Episode 9

Shireen Baratheon realizing her fate in Game of Thrones

Shireen was a sweet and smart young girl who taught people to read and offered kindness to everybody. There was not a shred of hate in Shireen’s heart, and she trusted her father, Stannis, to look after her.

Stannis was more dedicated to himself, however, and allowed Melisandre to burn his daughter alive as a sacrifice to the Gods. He wanted to cement his ascension onto the Iron Throne and did anything he could to get there. Of course, Stannis never ruled, and he murdered Shireen for nothing.

3 The Red Wedding Deaths

Season 3, Episode 9

The Red Wedding about to begin in Game of Thrones

The Red Wedding was one of the most horrific and memorable moments in Game of Thrones history, as main characters Robb, Talisa, and Catelyn Stark all lost their lives. Not just them, but all of their men and allies who dined alongside Walter Frey.

Talisa was pregnant with Robb’s child and was repeatedly stabbed in the stomach. Robb’s body was filled with arrows, and Catelyn’s throat was cut. It was a horrific scene, and the massacre brought about several tragic deaths. Eventually, revenge came to the Frey’s and their allies.

2 How Wylis Became Hodor

Season 6, Episode 5

Hodor smiling in Game of Thrones.

The mystery of why Hodor was called Hodor was finally solved in Season 6. While the reveal was interesting, it was also incredibly emotional as the story surrounding Bran and Wylis unfolded.

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As it turned out, it was due to Bran’s future actions that Wylis became Hodor. He died holding the door for the people he cared about, which saved their lives. Hodor was an absolutely crucial piece in Game of Thrones. Without his sacrifice, Bran would’ve died, and the living may not have been able to defeat the dead.

1 Daenerys' Untimely End

Season 8, Episode 6

Daenerys Targaryen in the ruins of King's Landing in Game of Thrones

Daenerys had one of the best, if not the best, character arcs in all of Game of Thrones. She was a fighter, leader, and queen who deserved so much more than to die in the way she did.

It was tragic watching how much Dany went through to get to the Iron Throne. She fought her entire life and truly believed that her destiny was to be the ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. When she finally got there, Daenerys was stabbed and killed by the man she loved and trusted.

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