Published Oct 23, 2026, 12:00 PM EDT

There has never been another character quite like Ned Stark

One line proves that Ned Stark is the best Game of Thrones character

Image: HBO

One reason Game of Thrones enthralled viewers the moment it debuted on HBO in 2011 was that, as much as its large main cast was full of cutthroat bastards (both metaphorical and literal), every character had tremendous depth that made you understand who they were. This understanding came from what they did and said, and almost everyone in the sprawling cast has at least one poetic quote that defines their character.

Despite the fierce competition over eight seasons, no character has had a way with words like Eddard "Ned" Stark, played by the ever-warm and humble British actor Sean Bean through Game of Thrones' first nine episodes.

Ned remains one of the most distinctive Game of Thrones characters.…