<P> Hibberd echoed the show's producers' statement that "the move lays down a dramatic precedent for the show: Nobody is safe ." He called it a "risky" move that would probably lose the show viewers who had tuned in for Bean, but would hopefully attract others impressed by the boldness of it . Executive producer and writer D.B. Weiss told Entertainment Weekly in 2011 that when he and Benioff pitched the series to HBO, the fact that "main character" Ned was slated to die "was a selling point for them ." Noting that the network has killed off characters in other successful series, he said that this sense of jeopardy "completely ups the ante for any moment when a character is in a dire situation if you know another character didn't survive a similar situation ." HBO programming president Sue Naegle concurred, saying that Ned's death made the show creatively more attractive, adding that "The book series was filled with unexpected twists and turns . I loved this idea we'd bring together the group of characters, then once you started to believe all the tropes of heroes, you pull the rug out from under them . It's the opposite of feeling manipulated ." Noting that the story and world of the series is bigger than any one character, Naegle said, "Sean brings a giant following, but Thrones is not just about the promise you're going to see one of your favorite actors week in and week out . The star is the story ." Bean noted that Ned's death "was as much a surprise to me as anyone" and called it "a very courageous move for a television company ." </P> <P> The image of Bean as Ned Stark sitting in the Iron Throne is featured on the covers of the 2011 Season 1 DVD and Blu - ray Disc sets, released in March 2012 . </P> <P> In season 1, King Robert Baratheon asks his old friend Eddard "Ned" Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North, to assume the position of Hand of the King after the sudden death of their mentor, Jon Arryn . Not interested in politics or the intrigues of the court, Ned accepts out of duty, as well as to discover how Arryn died . Robert is killed just as Ned discovers that his three children by Cersei were actually fathered by the queen's twin, Jaime . Before Ned is able to neutralize Cersei and place Robert's brother Stannis on the throne, he is betrayed by Littlefinger, and the queen has him imprisoned for treason . Ned makes a public confession to save his daughters from Cersei's wrath, but Joffrey has Ned beheaded anyway . </P> <P> In the season 6 episode "Home", Bran sees a vision of Ned (Sebastian Croft) as a child with his sister and brother, Lyanna and Benjen . In the following episode, "Oathbreaker", Bran witnesses the battle between a young Ned (Robert Aramayo) and the knight Ser Arthur Dayne at the Tower of Joy . Finally, in the season finale episode "The Winds of Winter", Bran sees Ned reuniting with a dying Lyanna (Aisling Franciosi) in the tower . She makes him swear to protect her son--Jon Snow . </P>

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