The great game could have ended differently for one "Game of Thrones" character who died in Season 8.

Fans always knew there were going to be a lot of deaths as the fantasy drama series sped to its end, but the writers originally thought to spare us one. There was a character they originally wanted to keep alive but couldn't, writer Dave Hill told EW during a recent interview. He explained the dilemma and why the writers ultimately made the decision they did.

There are spoilers ahead if you haven't already watched "Game of Thrones" Season 8.

The character in question was Ser Jorah Mormont (Iain Glen). He died in the Battle of Winterfell, heroically defending his beloved queen, Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke). However, the writers envisioned  a different fate for him when they started working on Season 8: Ser Jorah rejoining Jon Snow (Kit Harington) at The Wall.

"For a long time we wanted Ser Jorah to be there at The Wall in the end," Hill said. "The three coming out of the tunnel would be Jon and Jorah and Tormund [Kristover Hivju]."

Alas, it didn't happen because the writers didn't think the logic worked. They couldn't imagine Jorah leaving Daenerys's side for him to get there, and ultimately, they thought his sacrifice for her was more fitting.

"Jorah should have the noble death he craves defending the woman he loves," Hill told EW.

Jorah's was one of the final season's many major deaths, and Glen seemed to be at peace with it. The actor talked about the ending of "Game of Thrones" long before it ever aired, and Glen called it "brilliant." He might not have made it to the very end, but he did make it long enough to earn a "Game of Thrones" tattoo.

[via: EW]