Fans of epic television are experiencing a major revelation, discovering that a beloved star from Stranger Things once had a tiny, blink-and-you'll-miss-it role in the cultural phenomenon Game of Thrones.
From Winterfell to the Upside Down
The actor in question is Joseph Quinn, who captured global attention with his heartfelt portrayal of the metalhead hero Eddie Munson in the fourth series of Netflix's Stranger Things. However, years before battling Demobats in the Upside Down, Quinn was stationed at the gates of Winterfell.
In the seventh season of HBO's fantasy saga, specifically in the 2017 episode titled 'The Spoils of War', Quinn appeared as Koner, a Stark loyalist. He shared guard duty with another soldier, Henk (Danny Kirrane), when a determined Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) returned home.
The scene sees Koner and Henk mockingly refuse Arya entry, believing her to be dead and informing her that Jon Snow (Kit Harington) is thousands of miles away. Arya eventually outsmarts them by threatening to tell Sansa (Sophie Turner), allowing her to slip past the bickering guards.
A Career Ignited
This early television credit came long before Quinn's star ascended. His breakout role as Eddie Munson turned him into a household name and paved the way for major future projects.
Quinn is now set to play Johnny Storm, the Human Torch, in Marvel's The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and will portray George Harrison in an upcoming Beatles film series. Interestingly, his Game of Thrones episode was directed by Matt Shakman, who will later direct him in The Fantastic Four.
His other credits include roles in Gladiator II, Warfare, and BBC dramas like Strike. He is also scheduled to return as the Human Torch in Avengers: Doomsday in late 2026.
Fans React to the Hidden Link
The connection, largely forgotten since the episode's original airing, has recently resurfaced, stunning fans on social media and forums like Reddit.
One astonished fan wrote online: "I was today years old when I realized that Joseph Quinn (who plays Eddie in Stranger Things) was also in GoT!" Another viewer noted the pleasure of spotting now-established actors in early roles, posting: "Love when you go back to an older show and notice a now established actor in the start of their career. Joseph Quinn in Game of Thrones. Never realised he was in it."
This discovery highlights the often-overlooked early steps actors take on their path to fame, with minor parts in iconic shows becoming fun trivia for dedicated fans to unearth years later.
