Hit drama finds novel ways to kill characters

NEW YORK — Game of Thrones has shocked and pleased viewers with the way it has killed off its characters — from the jaw-dropping “Red Wedding” episode to the explosive green wildfire that eliminated most of the cast, which then led to the epic way Tommen Baratheon essentially said: “You know what everyone, I’m over this,” and took a dive from a high window, killing himself. Here, some of the show’s top stars, including Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark), Maisie Williams (Arya Stark) and Kristian Nairn (Hodor) talk about their favourite death scenes.

OH NO HE DIDN’T

Defending Tyrion Lannister, Oberyn Martell battles the giant known as Ser Gregor Clegane and nearly kills him, but Martell (Pedro Pascal) proved to be too cocky and celebrated too early. Clegane then crushed Martell’s skull and the scene became one of the show’s most memorable. It was so popular that Pascal said when he meets fans, they will imitate how Clegane gouged his character’s eyes before his head exploded.

Turner: “The skull crushing — that was pretty spectacular.”

Williams: “When Oberyn Martell got his head squished, I loved that scene. So sad, though, because I miss Pedro.”

Isaac Hempstead Wright (Bran Stark): “It was so, so shocking. Not only in terms of the brutality of it, but because I didn’t see it coming. I hadn’t read the script for the episode. It was one of those classic Game of Thrones where you think the underdog’s winning. Oh, no, no, no. He’s got his head squished.”

Eugene Simon (Lancel Lannister): “I could not believe it.”

NED’S HEAD, NED’S DEAD

Game of Thrones proved no character was safe from being killed off when Ned Stark, played by Sean Bean, died in Season 1 when his head was chopped off.

Turner: “Sean’s was amazing because it was just so shocking — because no one knew that they were going to kill off main characters.”

Conleth Hill (Varys): “Even while we were filming I kept thinking: ‘Oh someone will save him.’ ”

TOILET TORTURE

One of the most uncomfortable ways to die? On the toilet. Hit with three arrows. By your own son. That’s what happened to Tywin Lannister (Charles Dance) when Tyrion Lannister went full-blown savage on his dad.

Gwendoline Christie (Brienne of Tarth): “Charles Dance on the toilet — thank you.”

WHO LET THE DOGS OUT? WOOF, WOOF

Ramsey Bolton, played by Iwan Rheon, brutally tortured Theon Greyjoy and Sansa Stark, and killed his own father and pregnant stepmother.

So it was only appropriate that the favour was returned when Ramsay’s drooling dog — who hadn’t eaten for some time — was let loose on his master, and had his way with him.

Pilou Asbaek (Euron Greyjoy): “That’s a very Scandinavian death. I like that, because it’s brutal and it’s poetic.”