Question: who is main character in game of thrones

title: List of Game of Thrones characters
text: Alliser Thorne ( season 1 , 4 -- 6 ) portrayed by Owen Teale , Owen Teale is a drill instructor at Castle Black . He fought for Aerys II during Robert 's Rebellion and was sent to the Wall as punishment . He is a bitter , cruel , fanatical and hardened man but knows firsthand what it is like to serve in the Night 's Watch during the winter . The previous winter , he was caught north of the Wall on a ranging mission and he and the other members of his party were forced to eat the rangers who died in order to survive . Thorne returns in Season 4 , now the acting Lord Commander of the Night 's Watch following the death of Jeor Mormont , and becomes friends with Janos Slynt . He advocates Jon 's execution for his actions in season 3 , but Jon is exonerated by Maester Aemon . Thorne later notices that the people like Jon better than him , and will most likely elect Jon as the new Lord Commander , which would make him Thorne 's superior . To avoid this , Thorne , on Slynt 's suggestion , allows Jon to lead a mission to kill the Night 's Watch mutineers in the hopes that Jon will be killed in battle , though Jon survives . Out of spite , Thorne refuses Jon 's proposal to seal off Castle Black to stop the wildlings from breaching . When the wildling army arrives , Alliser grudgingly admits to Jon that he should have listened to him , but valiantly leads his men into battle . Alliser personally duels Tormund Giantsbane , but is wounded . He is last seen being taken inside Castle Black for treatment while yelling for his men to continue fighting . In season 5 , he has been healed but walks with a limp . He appears to be the leading contender for being voted the new official Lord Commander of the Night 's Watch . Though he ultimately loses to Jon Snow by one vote in a three - way race , he is named First Ranger by Jon , which he appears to appreciate . When Jon sentences Slynt to execution for insubordination , Thorne briefly blocks Eddison Tollett 's way , but quickly abandons Slynt to his fate . After Jon 's return from Hardhome , he eventually opens the gate for the incoming wildling refugees , showing deep resentment for the new Lord Commander 's ambition to forge an alliance with the wildling tribes . After Davos ' return to the Wall , Alliser dispatches Olly with word of Benjen Stark 's current state ; the ploy is soon uncovered as a mutiny , wherein a disarmed Jon is trapped and stabbed to death . Alliser delivers the first blow , under the call `` For the Watch ! '' and leaves the Lord Commander dying in the snow . Thorne assumes command once again , but only until Edd brings back the wildlings to save Jon 's loyalists from death . Thorne is arrested for his treachery , and after Jon is resurrected , he is hanged for treason .