Curtain Call: Thomas Brodie-Sangster 

When I first bumped into Thomas Brodie-Sangster it was almost in a quite literal sense; it was September of last year, and he was coming down the stairs of the Belfast convention center and I was going up. He deftly avoided my expert parody (?) of

, and only in passing did I realize I had only narrowly escaped a very public collision with Jojen Reed.

I was able to finagle an interview later that day, and we chatted in the building’s green (white) room. He was–and is–a lovely chap, one part English polite, another part English bemused. I think the fervent nature of fandoms–perhaps this one in particular–puzzle him as much as they amuse me. We got on swimmingly.

A lot has been made of Jojen Reed’s early death. Some question whether or not it thieved some of Jojen’s rightful presence in

; others pointed out the fact that, in the books, Jojen may actually be very well dead. (The “Jojen Paste” theories taking wing here, though the fact that Leaf just seemingly flash-fried his corpse perhaps begs different questions.)

But no one can question Thomas Brodie-Sangster’s presence onscreen. I have maintained since season 2 that both Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Ellie Kendrick do more than most with the little bits of screen time they’re allotted.

Jojen was Bran’s spiritual guide. It can be argued that, once Bran arrived at the Three-Eyed Raven, his tale was done, and that spurred an onscreen death rather than offscreen. It remains to be seen what Meera’s role will be, but up until now, Jojen was the focal point; he was the young “grandfather,” the wise male ingenue whose frame paid the toll for his mind’s expansive acumen, and the drummer who set the beat for Brandon Stark’s mystic rhythms.

We were shocked–Sullied and Unsullied views alike–when Meera turned around and could only stare in open horror as that skeletal wight plunged its icy dagger down into Jojen’s stomach again and again and again and…

Meera’s horrified eyes and Jojen’s helpless body mirrored our own. There was nothing any of us could do, and we knew, in that instant, that a beloved character was gone.

Thankfully, Thomas Brodie-Sangster lives on! (Shocking, I know!) He is as busy as he ever has been; I don’t think he’s paused a moment in his career since his memorable turn as Sam in 2003′s

. (Actually he’s been working since 2001.)

, and has a number of other projects in the works, including an adaptation of one of my daughter’s favorite books,

fans, he will always be that iconic Reed–the one we saw so little of and always hoped for more, even though, in the end, we knew we would lose him. (

coming from someone with the Sight, usually means they have seen that dark day–and likely so will we.)

Thank you, Thomas, for all that you did for the fans of this show.

Fire and Blood: It was a pleasure meeting you, Thomas! Best to you in all future endeavors!

Tagged Curtain Call, Jojen Reed, Thomas Brodie-Sangster

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Have you already read all the books and/or don\'t care about spoilers? You can reveal all the spoilers in the comments with the click of a link below.

There are so many incredibly talented actors and actresses on this show, but I will always maintain that Thomas was one of the absolute best, if not THE best. Im gonna miss his presence on screen so much in the coming seasons. I could watch his Crasters Keep scene in 405 a hundred times and never get tired of it – he is so captivatingly talented

As a book reader, I actually thought his death was the single most devastating thing in the entire season. Sangster was a fantastic Jojen, and criminally underused. He will be missed ;__;

He is so talented and a great character. Too bad D&D made his death a fucking joke.

I have to agree. I am so sad that he was not given more to do. He is an amazing presence. He was perfectly cast for this role. I have always respected his talent though, since I saw him in “Bright Star” He does well being just a presence. Again, perfect casting here.

TBS elevated the character of Jojen. His grace and self-assuredness were a delight to watch. I knew that Jojen wasn’t long for this story but I was shocked and saddened to lose him so soon. I wish that we had more time with TBS. There was not enough of him in this show…just as there has not been enough of the equally wonderful Ellie Kendrick. I will miss him.

Sangster’s performance in “First of His Name” was excellent. Finally, we got closer to his greensight visions, his brilliance and pathos than at any other time. He will be missed.

Another wonderful talent who breathed life into a character that I did not particularly enjoy in the books, but thoroughly enjoyed watching on the show. He will be missed!

Fantastic actor. He was great as a little kid in Love Actually. Really has matured into a great actor.

This show has had some amazing actors in small parts that just help round out the entire cast.

I absolutely hated Jojen in the books, but Mr. Brodie-Sangster did the nearly-impossible; made me pay attention to the character!

Super job, and I’m sure you have a bright future ahead :D

It was the opposite for me. I really liked book Jojen a lot more than his show counterpart. Thomas Brody Sagnster is a great actor, but Bran’s storyline and the characters revolving around it have been surprisingly underdeveloped (with the only exception of Hodor, who is just awesome lol).

Great actor and I agree that he made the character far more interesting than his book counter-part, you know I still think he will be back on S5 as a link in Bran’s visions, but who knows, if he is actually gone, farewell and thank you for a great performance.

Thanks for the great job with an underwritten role, Thomas. I hope this leads to bigger and better things for him. Jojen, we hardly knew ye!

Should have talked to him about Bran x Jojen.

Such a wonderful casting. I liked him better than book-Jojen, actually. I’m sorry to see him go, and I wish we could have had more scenes exploring the green dreams and the quirks of the Reeds. But I’m appreciative of the great work he put in while he was on the show.

HE’S FERB?! Who crushes on Vanessa, voiced by the little girl Sam was crushing on in Love Actually?! That’s adorable!…my son is 6, shut up.

Have to agree with the consensus that Jojen’s death was unexpected and devastating, mainly because TBS made this character better than his book counterpart.

It’s understandable that they killed him, what was left for him do? But I’ll miss him anyway.

Agreed with everyone that he was the perfect casting. I can’t think of anyone else that would’ve been suitable.

I still haven’t processed all the deaths in the last couple of episodes. Especially the surprise ones. :(

and have been a fan ever since. Extremely talented. To be honest, I was rather surprised he agreed to take this very small role of relatively little importance. I hope he has a great career ahead.

But in all seriousness, great work by Thomas in the show. I thought his introduction in Bran’s dream in Season 3 (“You can’t kill it, you know…”) was the single coolest introduction of any character in the show yet. His scenes in ‘Dark Wings, Dark Words’ and ‘First of His Name’ were awesome.

He predicted the death of Karl “the fooking legend” Tanner. Thomas Broadie Sangster will be missed!

Thomas Brodie-Sangster is an extremely accomplished young actor. In introducing some new viewers to the series, I’ve seen more than a few identify him as “the kid from Love Actually” or “Ferb from Phineas and Ferb”. But rather than see those designations as stereotypes or dismissals, I take them as extremely impressive notations that someone so young has already manage to cultivate such a diverse and notable resume. Now his role as Jojen Reed will takes its place as a very worthy entry on a list of roles that is sure to grow even longer and more distinguished in the coming years.

Jojen was introduced to us later in the show than in the novels, and he has departed sooner than we might have expected based on those same volumes. But I think that anyone who has paid close enough attention to either the text or the screen could infer that Jojen’s time was coming, and sooner rather than later. Thomas knew Jojen’s fate with the same certainty that the character himself did, and rather than shrink from the moment he ensured that he made every second count. His efforts were a success, for during his time on Game of Thrones, Jojen left his mark on a storyline that many of us (myself included) expect will end up becoming one of the most important as the series nears its conclusion.

Jojen’s physical frailty was a consistent plot element on the show, and one that might have made his ultimate fate easier to foresee. But while he was many things – to Bran, to his sister Meera, and to the audience – he certainly was not weak. During the scene at Craster’s Keep, he faced down a ruthless, remorseless man in Karl Tanner and showed that he had a will and conviction forged from cold steel. His Jojen Reed was burdened with a deep sense of purpose coupled with an intense determination to see it through. So it was that with his ultimate objective in sight, Jojen faced his end without fear. I have to commend Thomas for portraying his character’s acceptance of his fate with such convincing resolution.

(Also, while she’s still with the show – hopefully for several more seasons to come! – I have to take a moment to commend Ellie Kendrick for her performance during this scene, as well as the immediate aftermath. She was heartbreaking as she conveyed, in just a few short seconds of screentime, just how devastated Meera was about Jojen’s death.)

I would like to thank Thomas for his work on the show these past two seasons, and to wish him well in his future projects!

Lovely curtain call. Thomas Brodie-Sangster really did make good use of his little time. The Reeds are beloved characters, in some ways because Jojen is such an old soul, and Meera such a great, plucky fighter, and their first appearance in the books is so memorable, these two teens whose father is the only one who survived the Tower of Joy with Eddard Stark, and the way in which they pledge their house’s loyalty to Bran.

But as much as I loved Jojen and Meera’s first appearance in the novels, I love their first appearance in the show just as much — Jojen appearing in Bran’s dreams and then literally appearing out of nowhere to show up to aid Bran when he needs it.

That, along with one other moment are my favorites of Jojen, with the other being in “First of His Name,” both when he sees Bran at the weirwood tree and then sees his hand burning, telling Meera that they’ll know when it’s their time. Very consistent to the character’s abilities.

“I saw you die tonight. I saw your body burn. I saw the snow fall and bury your bones.”

He did a fine job with a character that was meant to be mostly a conveyance, a guide, and even perhaps a cuttable character, but they kept him and did a nice job for him in a supporting role.

Thomas was a amazing Jojen. Different of the books, sure. But a strong, consistent character. I’m disconcerted with his death, yet.

I’m curious: What role Meera will play now, since her mission was to protect Jojen?

Well Meera’s mission is actually to protect Bran and guides him to his destination. In the books they even made a long vow to show how loyal they’re to Bran. I think she will protect him for as long as she can.

Now speaking of Bran, anyone else find it weird that the wrirers forgot to give Bran any emotion and personality this season?

I mean a lot of Bran’s thoughts are in inner-monologue in the books, it’s understandable. But even the potato kid seems to be a more developed character than Bran. Which is a made up extra character vs a major POV character.

And don’t even mention about that wig…

Well Meera’s mission is actually to protect Bran and guides him to his destination. In the books they even made a long vow to show how loyal they’re to Bran. I think she will protect him for as long as she can.

I mean a lot of Bran’s thoughts are in inner-monologue in the books, it’s understandable. But even the potato kid seems to be a more developed character than Bran. Which is a made up extra character vs a major POV character.

And don’t even mention about that wig…

No! Stop whinning. I saw plenty of emotions from bran.

Farewell Jojen. Your death was so untimely… why it’s not like anyone was watching you their whole lives or anything and could have sent mage girl one minute earlier.

Thomas did great with the role, and will be missed.

Jojen Reed, you came, you saw and you conquered!!! Jojen was Yoda to Bran’s Luke…

As a book reader and lover of the show, I did not find his death all that shoking. Jojen’s mission vis-a-vis Bran was un fait d’acompli. So I think that with his mission done, show Jojen knew that his time was up…probably since he and Meera left the swampy home behind.

While book Jojen’s fate is yet unclear, I do understand why he had to go in a way. Bran has reached the endpoint (or one endpoint, perhaps not THE endpoint) of his destination. In a way Jojen’s continued presence would have been really just filler after the events of the Season Four finale.

So, on that note, farewell thee Jojen Reed, you of the Westeros delta! A big thank you to Thomas Brodie-Sangster and a merry wish of good luck and best of times ahead!

It was nice meeting you! One of those castings that made perfect sense right from the get go, and resulted in a subtle, likeable portrayal of the character.

He’s cute maybe I’ll marry him.

I hadnt spoiled myself for this part of the episode so seeing Jojen stabbed multiple times before being exploded (wtf!!) was the first genuine surprise this show has given me since the first season (before I’d read the books).

I guess the Jojen paste theory has been denied in the show, which probably means its not gonna happen in the books either but you never know. I was a fan of this theory even though I knew it was completely fkn ridiculous lol

Someone used the phrase “criminally underused”, I would have to second that, both him and his character. Still though Thomas Brodie-Sangster was the perfect Jojen and he will be missed.

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