Portrayed by Sean Bean (adult)

Robert Aramayo (young adult) / Sebastian Croft (child)

Status: Deceased

Origin: Winterfell

Episode Appearances: 14

First Seen: ‘Winter Is Coming’

Last Seen: ‘The Winds Of Winter’

BACKGROUND

Eddard Stark, nicknamed “Ned,” is the head of House Stark and Lord Paramount of the North of the constituent regions of the Seven Kingdoms. House Stark is one of the Great Houses of the realm, which rules the region from their seat of Winterfell. Eddard also holds the title as Lord of Winterfell. Eddard is the second son of Lord Rickard Stark, who served the former king Aerys II Targaryen as Warden of the North. Eddard's older brother Brandon Stark was Rickard's heir. Eddard also has a younger sister named Lyanna and a younger brother named Benjen. Eddard is a stoic, dutiful, and honorable man and is considered by most to embody the values of the North. He wields a Valyrian steel greatsword named Ice, an heirloom of House Stark, which he uses on ceremonial occasions.

Eddard is a trusted, close friend and counselor of King Robert Baratheon, as they were fostered as children by Jon Arryn, the Lord of the Vale. They grew to love each other as brothers. Eddard later supported Robert's play for the throne by acting as a general in several major battles. Eddard's sister, Lyanna, who was betrothed to Robert, was kidnapped by Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, igniting a war. Lord Rickard was summoned to court in King's Landing by King Aerys, and both Brandon and Rickard were brutally executed. Their deaths left Eddard to inherit Rickard's responsibilities, serving King Robert instead. His brother Brandon had been betrothed to Catelyn Tully, and as such Eddard also inherited his brother's bride. His sister Lyanna then died during the conflict, while Eddard's younger brother Benjen eventually joined the Night's Watch. Despite barely knowing each other, Eddard and Catelyn formed a strong marriage, having five children: Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran and Rickon. Eddard also has an illegitimate son, Jon Snow, who was apparently fathered with a common girl. He raised Jon alongside his other children in Winterfell, which has become the only source of friction between Eddard and Catelyn over the years due to the fact that she largely disregards the boy’s presence as a representation of her husband’s infidelity.