Five character deaths from HBO's Game of Thrones are back in the spotlight following a retrospective published by Winter Is Coming on 12 November 2026, revisiting some of the series' most seemingly pointless losses. The list includes Shireen Baratheon, Lord Varys, Ser Dontos Hollard, Lancel Lannister and Euron Greyjoy. Each death had a place in the show's increasingly brutal story, but the article questions whether the sacrifices and confrontations actually achieved anything.
For a series famous for making even its most important characters vulnerable, the distinction between a meaningful death and an unnecessary one remains an interesting part of its legacy. The discussion also revisits some of the decisions that helped shape the final seasons.
Why Everyone Is Talking About Them
Game of Thrones built much of its identity around unpredictable storytelling. Its first season established that reputation when Eddard Stark, played by Sean Bean, was executed despite appearing to be the central character. Viewers quickly learned that importance within the story offered no guarantee of survival.
Yet the series also demonstrated that death could have consequences beyond shock value. Ned Stark's execution helped trigger the War of the Five Kings, while Khal Drogo's death became part of the chain of events leading to Daenerys Targaryen's dragons. Ygritte, meanwhile, died fighting for her people.
The five characters in the latest retrospective are different. Their deaths either failed to accomplish the intended objective or added little to the eventual outcome. That distinction makes the list particularly interesting for viewers reconsidering the show's narrative choices after its eight-season run.
What Happened
1. Ser Dontos Hollard
Ser Dontos, played by Tony Way, was spared execution by King Joffrey after Sansa Stark intervened during the king's name-day celebration in season two. Joffrey instead made him a fool. Dontos later helped Sansa escape King's Landing following Joffrey's death at his wedding.
However, Littlefinger revealed that he had organised the escape and subsequently ordered his archers to kill Dontos. His justification was to prevent the man from revealing secrets. The retrospective questions whether this was necessary, given Dontos's apparent loyalty to Sansa and gratitude for being saved.
2. Shireen Baratheon
Shireen, portrayed by Kerry Ingram, suffered one of the series' most distressing deaths. Her father, Stannis Baratheon, allowed Melisandre to sacrifice his daughter to the Lord of Light because he believed the act would secure victory against the Boltons.
The expected victory never came. Stannis's forces were defeated, and he was eventually killed by Brienne of Tarth. Shireen's sacrifice therefore failed to deliver the military advantage her father had expected, making her death particularly difficult to justify within the story.
3. Lancel Lannister
Lancel, played by Eugene Simon, had previously been involved with his cousin Cersei Lannister before becoming a follower of the High Sparrow. He revealed information about Cersei's relationships and her involvement in King Robert Baratheon's death, contributing to her imprisonment and public walk of shame.
During the events surrounding Cersei's trial at the Great Sept of Baelor, Lancel was led away by a child and stabbed. Despite being seriously wounded, he discovered wildfire beneath the building and tried to prevent its detonation. His efforts failed, and the explosion destroyed the Sept, killing those inside, including Lancel.
4. Lord Varys
Lord Varys, played by Conleth Hill, recognised the danger he believed Daenerys Targaryen could pose as she moved towards the Iron Throne. After discovering Jon Snow's true heritage, he began supporting the idea of replacing Daenerys with Jon as a potential ruler.
Tyrion Lannister discovered the conspiracy and informed Daenerys. She subsequently executed Varys using dragon fire. His fears were ultimately borne out when Daenerys attacked King's Landing, destroying large parts of the city and killing civilians. The retrospective argues that Varys's attempt to prevent that outcome failed and may even have contributed to the tensions that pushed Daenerys further towards violence.
5. Euron Greyjoy
Euron Greyjoy, portrayed by Pilou Asbæk, encountered Jaime Lannister during Daenerys's assault on King's Landing. Jaime was trying to reach Cersei when Euron intercepted him, leading to a confrontation between the two rivals.
Although Euron believed he had killed Jaime, that was not what happened. Jaime eventually reunited with Cersei before both were crushed by the collapsing Red Keep. Euron's duel therefore did not change Jaime's ultimate fate, making the confrontation one of the more questionable final-season encounters.
What They Said
The retrospective does not introduce new interviews or statements from the actors. Instead, its argument comes from revisiting the events themselves and comparing what each character's death was supposed to achieve with what actually followed.
That distinction matters particularly in the cases of Shireen and Varys. Stannis believed his daughter's sacrifice would help secure his campaign, while Varys believed removing Daenerys from the succession could prevent a disastrous outcome. Both characters died without achieving their intended goals.
The Reaction
The renewed attention reflects the continuing appeal of Game of Thrones as a subject for retrospective discussion. Its major deaths remain among the most memorable elements of the programme, but not all of them have aged equally well in terms of their narrative purpose.
Shireen's death is especially difficult to revisit because she was a child who trusted her father. Varys's execution presents a different kind of frustration: a politically experienced character correctly identified a threat but failed to stop it.
Euron's confrontation with Jaime also illustrates a criticism often directed at dramatic action sequences: a spectacular encounter can feel less satisfying when it makes little difference to the outcome. These examples show why the show's most shocking moments can still invite questions about the writing decisions behind them.
What Happens Next
There is no new Game of Thrones storyline or character development announced as part of this retrospective. The discussion is focused on the original television series and its eight-season narrative rather than a new production or confirmed change to the franchise.
The wider world of Westeros continues through House of the Dragon, with its third season referenced in the original Winter Is Coming coverage. The two series offer different periods of the fictional history, but both revisit the political rivalries, family conflicts and struggles for power that made the original programme popular.
For viewers in Britain, the latest discussion offers another reason to revisit the original series and consider which deaths genuinely changed the course of the story. The five examples also demonstrate that a character's importance is not always measured by how dramatically their story ends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which five Game of Thrones characters are considered to have died for nothing?
The retrospective identifies Ser Dontos Hollard, Shireen Baratheon, Lancel Lannister, Lord Varys and Euron Greyjoy.
Why was Shireen Baratheon sacrificed?
Melisandre persuaded Stannis Baratheon that sacrificing his daughter to the Lord of Light would help secure victory against the Boltons.
Did Euron Greyjoy kill Jaime Lannister?
No. Although Euron fought Jaime and believed he had killed him, Jaime ultimately died when the Red Keep collapsed.
Why did Daenerys execute Varys?
Varys conspired to support Jon Snow as a potential alternative to Daenerys. Tyrion exposed his actions, leading to his execution by dragon fire.
How many seasons did Game of Thrones have?
Game of Thrones ran for eight seasons on HBO, concluding with its series finale in 2019.