Sean Bean never knew the truth about Jon Snow's parents on Game of Thrones
In news that will surprise no-one, Game of Thrones makes it its mission to keep secrets from, well, just about anybody – even if they're intricately involved in a big reveal.
It's not just Jon Snow who knows nothing, you see.
After feverish levels of speculation, Thrones' season seven finale finally confirmed a long-held fan theory that Jon Snow is actually the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark, something neither Jon nor his aunt-turned-lover Daenerys Targaryen is aware of.
As it turns out, someone else completely unaware of Jon's parentage is actor Sean Bean, despite playing Jon's on-screen 'father' Ned Stark.
Chatting to Entertainment Weekly ahead of the show's final season, Sean admitted that he actually had no idea what the secret Ned took with him to the grave ever was.
"Like with everything with Game of Thrones, it was kept very dark and secret," he explained. "I think that's the kind of magic and the glory of Game of Thrones – that's why it's so stunning and breathtaking when these secrets are revealed."
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Far from feeling left out of an exciting Thrones secret, Sean admitted that he enjoys discovering the twists and turns of the show at the same time as audiences.
Praising creators David Benioff and DB Weiss and their sneaky ways, Sean added: "They only reveal what they want you to know, and that's good, I think.
"That's what makes it so exciting to find out."
Game of Thrones season 8 will premiere on April 14, 2019. The show airs on HBO in the US and Sky Atlantic and NOW TV in the UK. Season 7 is now available to buy on DVD, Blu-ray or digital download.
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