'Game Of Thrones' Season 5: Producers Will Not Recast Denys Mallister After JJ Murphy's Death

"Game of Thrones" actor J.J. Murphy died at the age of 86 on Friday. The Irish actor was cast as Ser Denys Mallister in Season 5 of the hit HBO series, according to The Guardian.

Murphy’s theater and film career spanned more than 70 years and included the film adaptation of “Angela’s Ashes” and “Dracula Untold,” which will premiere in October. He had recently signed on to appear on "Game of Thrones." His agent, Phillip Young, said Murphy was thrilled to be cast as a character “in one of the biggest productions in the world at this stage in his career.” Murphy had been filming for only four days when he reportedly collapsed and died. No official cause of death has been released.

“We will not be recasting J.J. Murphy. He was a lovely man, and the best Denys Mallister we could have hoped for. And now his watch is ended,” executive producers D.B. Weiss and David Benioff said in a statement.

Ser Denys plays a relatively small part in the last two novels of George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Fire and Ice” series, but many hardcore fans hate to see major changes to the novels.

Denys will be in Jon Snow’s storyline at the Wall. In the books, Denys Mallister is introduced when there is an election for a new Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch. He runs for the position against Janos Slynt, Cotter Pyke and Snow. With so many competitors vying for the position, Ser Denys’ departure likely won’t alter the storyline much.

“Game Of Thrones” returns to HBO in 2015. Do you want Ser Denys Mallister recast or do you prefer they write his character off out of respect for Murphy? Sound off in the comments section.