Game of Thrones finished its eighth and final season earlier this year, leaving many fans feeling the end was rushed. However, throughout the HBO show, there were plenty of moments and characters making the fantasy drama a classic. But why did the High Sparrow (played by Jonathan Pryce) leave the show?
Why did the High Sparrow leave Game of Thrones?
WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Game of Thrones season 6
In season six, viewers see the death of the High Sparrow.
Previously, Queen Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) was hoping to use the Faith to get rid of the Tyrells but what she did not count on was the High Sparrow getting in her way.
Determined to purge King’s Landing of depravity, he looked to Cersei as the answer and ended up imprisoning her and forcing the queen to make a “walk of atonement”.
Unfortunately for Pryce’s character though, Cersei knew of the wildfire hidden underneath the Sept of Baelor and caused a disastrous explosion which killed the High Sparrow as well as many other members of the Sparrows.
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However, it seems actor Pryce knew his time on the show would be reasonably short-lived.
Speaking to the Guardian earlier this year, he said: “I knew I was only there for two series, but by the time it came to my death I was really enjoying it and regretted being blown up.”
As the series is based on the original books written by author George R.R Martin, the High Sparrow’s fate was already sealed prior to the show being released.
But filming the character’s death wasn’t half as dramatic as it appeared on screen.
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Pryce said: “On set, the explosion was just me standing on a box and leaning back a bit.
“I didn’t see all the CGI wildfire until the episode was on TV.
“I went out for breakfast the morning after it aired, ordered some food, and the waiter said: ‘Don’t worry, it won’t be green.’”
The award-winning actor did originally turn down a chance to star in the series.
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Talking to BBC Radio 4, he said: “I don’t like swords and fantasy things.
“I am that person who has never seen Star Wars, I’ve never seen any of the Lord of the Rings things and I’d never seen Game of Thrones.
“In fact I’d said no to the very original series of Game of Thrones and all I did was flip through and look at the names, these strange names, strange dialogue and I thought, ‘Oh, it’s not for me.’”
Thankfully, Pryce got a second chance to appear in Game of Thrones which he did for seasons five and six.
Game of Thrones is available to watch on Amazon Prime when you sign up to a subscription option.
