Game of Thrones Star Sean Bean Is Tired of Seeing His Characters Die

From his roles in films such as The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), Black Death (2010), and Patriot Games (1992)—not to mention his famously short (but quite memorable) part in the first season of Game of Thrones—Sean Bean has seen his characters killed off more than just a few times. It happens so often, in fact, that it has become a bit of a running joke for fans of the actor, and even Bean himself has addressed it. But now it looks as if the actor is finally done with death scenes, and his reasoning is actually pretty considerate to viewers.

While speaking with The Sun, the 60-year-old star declared that he’s no longer playing characters who get killed off, all so that he can avoid spoilers. “I’ve turned down stuff,” Bean said. “I’ve said, ‘They know my character’s going to die because I’m in it!’ I just had to cut that out and start surviving, otherwise it was all a bit predictable.”

Bean went on to recall a particularly humorous instance where he almost turned down a part, stating, “I did do one job and they said, ‘We’re going to kill you’, and I was like, ‘Oh no!’ and then they said, ‘Well, can we injure you badly?’ and I was like, ‘OK, so long as I stay alive this time.’”

Of the 100-plus roles that Bean has played, he has died more than 20 times. “I’ve played a lot of baddies," Bean said. "They were great but they weren’t very fulfilling—and I always died.”