Ed Sheeran Defends Game of Thrones Cameo, Says He 'Just Gets S*** on for Things'

Ed Sheeran has finally addressed the massive backlash to his Game of Thrones cameo, defending his brief but memorable appearance in season 7. According to Ed Sheeran's comments on the Friends Keep Secret podcast, via Entertainment Weekly, the singer-songwriter said he "enjoyed doing it" despite fan criticism. The cameo, which featured Sheeran as a singing soldier who offers Arya Stark rabbit stew, sparked widespread fan outrage when it aired.

Why Ed Sheeran appeared in Game of Thrones

Sheeran's appearance wasn't random celebrity stunt casting. The scene was originally conceived as a gift to actress Maisie Williams, who plays Arya Stark and was reportedly a fan of the British singer.

"What I said [at the time] is, 'People love that show. If anyone gets asked to be in that show, it's an instant yes,'" Sheeran explained. "I said yes. I enjoyed doing it."

The cameo showed Sheeran as a Lannister soldier singing around a campfire, where he encounters Arya during her travels. The scene was meant to be a wholesome moment before Arya's darker storylines, but fans found it jarring and immersion-breaking.

Other musicians who appeared in the show

Sheeran pointed out that he wasn't the first or only musician to make a Game of Thrones appearance. Several other artists had cameos throughout the series' run.

"Members of Coldplay [were] at the Red Wedding. [Gary Lightbody] from Snow Patrol's in there. Chris Stapleton's in it as like a White Walker," he noted.

The difference was prominence and timing. Sheeran's appearance came during peak fame, making him instantly recognisable to viewers. The other musicians had smaller, less obvious roles that didn't break the show's immersion as noticeably.

What This Means for celebrity cameos

Sheeran attributes the strong reaction to his "omnipresence" at the time. In 2017, he was everywhere — topping charts globally, collaborating with major artists, and dominating pop culture conversations.

"I think at the time I was very omnipresent and just everywhere," he reflected. "So, I think it was quite jarring. [But things like this] happen quite a lot in my career. I just get s*** on for things."

Ed Sheeran has always enjoyed making cameo appearances, and his appearances have consistently been fun and entertaining to watch. In our experience, the backlash seemed more about timing than the actual performance.

What new Game of Thrones content is coming

The Game of Thrones universe continues expanding with multiple projects in development. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and House of the Dragon are both set for new series on HBO, with content planned through 2028.

An Arya Stark spinoff is in "very early development" at HBO, following the collapse of a Jon Snow sequel series. There's also a Game of Thrones movie in development at Warner Bros, plus a stage prequel about Robert's Rebellion debuting in the UK this summer.

Where to watch Game of Thrones in UAE

The upcoming House of the Dragon and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms series will likely follow the same distribution pattern, though specific UAE release dates haven't been confirmed yet.

Check what's new on OSN+ for the latest additions to the platform's fantasy and drama collection.

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