Iwan Rheon’s role in Those About to Die perfectly contrasts his character Ramsay Bolton in Game of Thrones. Although it has been almost a decade since Rheon’s exit as Ramsay, the impact of his character is not less significant. Fans still view Ramsay as one of the most iconic villains, and Game of Thrones, season 6, episode 9, “Battle Of The Bastards,” where Ramsay takes center stage, is considered one of the show’s best episodes.

Those About to Die is an upcoming action-packed television show by Peacock about the Roman Gladiators during Emperor Vespasian’s rule. Rheon plays Tenax, an underground crime boss with a tough childhood that has hardened him over the years. Viewers do not know much about Tenax, but the trailer for Those About to Die suggests he’s a villain, making him an interesting character to compare to Ramsay.

Iwan Rheon’s Tenax In Those About To Die Has Echoes Of Game Of Thrones’ Ramsay Bolton

Both Characters Have Malicious Intentions In Similarly-Themed Shows

Those About to Die and Game of Thrones are similar despite their different settings. Those About to Die is a classic sword-and-sandal narrative with Gladiator heroes and scheming tyrants. Meanwhile, Game of Thrones is a high fantasy show. It might not classify as a sword-and-sandal story in the traditional sense, but it does share commonalities with the genre, such as iconic heroes and evil tyrants. Rheon’s characters in both shows are ruthless and cunning villains who crave power. Tenax is not a ruler like Emperor Vespasian, but he has his own power and runs Rome’s criminal underworld.

Ramsay Bolton is the son of Roose Bolton, the man who allied with the Lannisters, betrayed the Starks, and took over the North. Ramsay murders his father, his stepmother, and his brother to secure the Winterfell Lordship and become Warden of the North. Ramsay’s methods are utterly despicable and cruel—from torturing Theon Greyjoy to abusing Sansa Stark. While viewers do not know how Tenax rises to be the criminal mastermind he is, no crime boss exists without devious schemes, so Tenax must share similarities with Ramsay.

Iwan Rheon’s Those About To Die Character Has One Vital Difference To Ramsay Bolton

Tenax Has Additional Complexity Ramsay Bolton Lacks

Despite the similarities between Tenax and Ramsay Bolton, they have one vital difference in how they approach things. While Ramsay is a cruel and sadistic monster with no redeeming qualities, Tenax is more complex and seems to be operating in a more nuanced way compared to Ramsay. He appears capable of everything Ramsay does, including torture and murder, but he does it with a purpose rather than for sport.

While Ramsay relishes his monstrous activities and never has a moral compass, Tenax falls into a grayer area. He seems to be greatly influenced by his background and tragic backstory, making it easier for the audience to sympathize with him. While Ramsay is irredeemable, it’s feasible that Those About to Die could put Tenax on a path to redemption. This would set him apart from Ramsay in a major way, with the potential for the show to make him more of an anti-hero than an outright villain down the line.

What Else Iwan Rheon Has Appeared In Since Game Of Thrones

Iwan Rheon Exited Game of Thrones in 2016

Since his exit from Game of Thrones in 2016, Rheon has graced television and film screens across various genres. In television, he has played other devious characters, such as Maximus in Marvel’s Inhumans and Molina in Wolf. However, Rheon has branched out from his typical villainous roles by playing Meurig Jenkins in Men Up, Adam Clios in Riviera, and Sam Knight in The Green Hollow. He has also played more challenging and complex roles like Joe Pritchard in The Light In The Hall.

While Rheon has a more extended history in television, he has also appeared on the big screen quite a few times since Game of Thrones. Some of his roles include Papageno in The Magic Flute, Adam in Barbarians, Mick Mars in The Dirt, Jan Zumbach in Hurricane: 303 Squadron, Dom in The Toll, and S.U.M.1 in Alien Invasion: S.U.M.1. Despite his tendency to play villains like his Those About to Die character, Rheon’s filmography proves that he is a talented actor, capable of portraying many different types of characters.