Characters That Disappeared In Game Of Thrones

Summary

Ser Ilyn Payne, the intimidating King's Justice, had to be written out of Game of Thrones due to the actor's cancer diagnosis. In the books, his character has a more prominent role.
Quaithe, a mysterious character with the power of prophecy, disappeared from the show after her appearance in Season 2. Her role in the books is more significant and influential.
Daario Naharis, Daenerys Targaryen's lover and advisor, was left behind when she sailed for Westeros to avoid scandal. His status as her lover made it necessary for him to be left behind.

Throughout eight seasons, many characters were introduced in Game of Thrones who went on to fulfill vital roles within the plot or who served their function in an episode or two with their own story completed.

Split image of Robb Stark at the Red Wedding and Ygritte and Jon in Game of Thrones.

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By Bisma Fida

However, a handful of Game of Thrones characters seemed to be set up for greater things but had their time on the show cut short. Whether certain plot lines didn't pan out as expected or actors could no longer continue, the following Game of Thrones characters just disappeared and were never seen or heard from again.

1 Ser Ilyn Payne

Last Seen: Season 2, Episode 9

The King's Justice, Ser Ilyn Payne, was one of the most intimidating characters in Game of Thrones and although he played a minor role in the events that played out in the early seasons, he was the man to take Lord Eddard Stark's head.

Unfortunately, due to a cancer diagnosis that would thankfully go on to be successfully treated, actor Wilko Johnson had to step back from the role. In the books, Ser Ilyn goes on to have a more prominent role, accompanying Jaime Lannister in the Riverlands, and serving as his silent dueling partner. Instead of recasting him, the show decided to pair up Jaime with the sellsword Bronn. Unlike some other missing Thrones characters, Ilyn Payne did continue to get mentioned, especially as part of Arya Stark's infamous death list.

2 Quaithe

Last Seen: Season 2, Episode 7

The early seasons of Game of Thrones were fairly accurate to the Song of Ice and Fire books and included many less prominent characters. Unfortunately, because the books remain unfinished, it was unclear what would happen to some of these characters, and individuals such as Quaithe were forgotten.

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Hailing from the Shadow Lands in the distant east, Quaithe was a mysterious character who showed up in Qarth while Daenerys was there. She had the power of prophecy and knew things she ought not. While in the books, Quaithe would go on to return to Dany in dreams and other visions, playing a vital role in the decisions of the young queen, she was never seen in the TV show again.

3 Daario Naharis

Last Seen: Season 6, Episode 10

Daario Naharis stand in front of the Unsullied

Daario Naharis, the former Captain of the Second Sons, would go on to become the lover of Daenerys Targaryen and throughout much tribulation in the region would remain her loyal advisor and protector. However, when Daenerys set sail for Westeros to reclaim her birthright, she made the tough decision of leaving her lover behind.

While Daario was technically left in control of Meereen and was charged with keeping the Queen's peace, it was his status as her lover that caused him to be left behind, as she needed to be able to marry or make alliances free of scandal.

4 Kinvara

Last Seen: Season 6, Episode 5

When a new Red Priestess, Kinvara, was introduced in Season 6 of Game of Thrones, fans were intrigued to see another from the same order as Melisandre. The possibility of these two interacting and vying with each other for power and influence excited fans, but sadly it was not to be, as Kinvara only appeared in one episode.

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In fact, Kinvara was not just any Red Priestess, but the High Priestess of the Red Temple of Volantis. Therefore, despite appearing younger, she outranked Melisandre and would likely have had some choice words for her. The scene she appeared in was highly engaging as she debated with Tyrion and Varys in the Great Pyramid of Meereen. What happened to Kinvara after is unknown, despite her acknowledging support for Daenerys.

5 Salladhor Saan

Last Seen: Season 4, Episode 6

One character who disappeared from Game of Thrones without a trace is the proud and successful pirate Salladhor Saan. The Lyseni pirate and sometimes sellsail first appeared in Season 2, and as an old friend of Davos Seaworth, he agreed to lend his thirty ships to Stannis' cause in trying to take King's Landing.

After the tragic events of the Battle of the Blackwater, Salladhor Saan's ship finds a stranded and hungry Ser Davos clinging on to life. The pirate offers the former smuggler advice and warns him against trying to assassinate the Red Priestess, but his words unfortunately go unheeded. After this, Salladhor Saan is only seen once more in a Braavosi bathhouse during the events of Season 4. The scene is rather humorous and asks the question of why he was never included in the show again. It is unclear what happened to Salladhor Saan after sailing Stannis' forces to the wall, but in the books, he later abandoned Stannis and returned to piracy.

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