For long-time Emmerdale viewers, the name Gerry Roberts still carries a sting of unfinished business and heartbreak. His brutal and controversial death remains one of

the soap’s most debated exits — and now, years later, the actor behind the character has resurfaced in a way few saw coming. Shawn Thomas, who last appeared

in the ITV soap in 2018, has undergone a striking transformation for a high-profile new role in HBO’s much-anticipated Game of Thrones spin-off,

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. The difference is so dramatic that many fans have barely recognised him.

Thomas’ journey from the gritty realism of Emmerdale to the sweeping fantasy of Westeros marks a remarkable turning point in his career — and reopens old wounds for viewers who still believe Gerry’s storyline ended far too soon.

Gerry Roberts was introduced to Emmerdale in 2017 under dark and troubling circumstances. Initially appearing as Lachlan White’s cellmate in a Young Offenders Institute, Gerry arrived on screen already burdened by judgment. He was a character shaped by labels — a convicted criminal struggling to escape his past — and Thomas played him with a vulnerability that gradually won audiences over.

When Gerry later arrived in the village, desperate for a second chance, it was Lachlan who reluctantly offered him a place to stay. What followed was a slow-burning psychological nightmare. Gerry became one of the few people who truly saw through Lachlan’s carefully constructed façade, recognising the danger beneath the charm. That insight ultimately sealed his fate.

In scenes that shocked viewers, Gerry was murdered by Lachlan, struck over the head with a rock in a chilling act of silenced truth. His final episodes aired in May 2018, leaving fans devastated and furious. The backlash was immediate and intense. Viewers lodged more than 100 complaints, branding the decision a grave mistake and accusing the show of sacrificing a promising, emotionally rich character for shock value.

Soap critics echoed those sentiments, with many arguing that Gerry’s death robbed Emmerdale of one of its most human and quietly compelling figures. Even years later, his exit is frequently cited as one of the show’s most controversial missteps.

At the time, Shawn Thomas was riding a wave of acclaim. His portrayal of Gerry earned him the Best Soap Newcomer award at the Digital Spy Reader Awards, and he quickly became known as one of the soap’s standout performers. In his first major interview following the win, Thomas reflected on how audience perceptions of Gerry evolved over time.

“When I first started playing Gerry, I felt like he was disliked quite a lot,” he admitted. “People struggled to understand him. He was judged for being a convict, and instantly that made people not want to like him. But over time, people realised he had a heart. Deep down, he couldn’t harm a fly — he just thought he was tough.”

That growing affection made his death all the more painful.

After leaving Emmerdale, Thomas stepped away from the soap spotlight, quietly building his career away from the relentless pace of serial drama. Now, eight years later, he has returned with a role that signals not just a comeback, but a complete reinvention.

Thomas has been cast as Ser Raymun Fossoway — known as “Raymun the Reluctant” — in HBO’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, a lavish adaptation set decades before the events of Game of Thrones. The series follows the adventures of Ser Duncan the Tall, known as Dunk, and his young squire Egg as they travel across the Seven Kingdoms, encountering danger, politics, and shifting loyalties at every turn.

Starring Peter Claffey as Dunk and Dexter Sol Ansell as Egg, the show promises a more intimate, character-driven take on George R. R. Martin’s fantasy world. And Thomas’ role places him firmly within that epic landscape.

Visually, the transformation is staggering. Gone are Gerry Roberts’ hoodies and worn jackets. In their place: armour, medieval styling, and a commanding physical presence. Thomas appears leaner, sharper, and almost unrecognisable beneath his new look — a far cry from the troubled young man viewers once saw navigating life on the fringes of an English village.

The contrast has sparked intense discussion online, with fans marvelling at how completely Thomas has stepped into this new world. For many, it’s bittersweet. While there is pride in seeing a former soap favourite ascend to an HBO production of this scale, there is also lingering sadness over how abruptly his Emmerdale story was cut short.

Industry insiders say Thomas’ casting reflects a growing trend: soap actors proving their range and resilience by moving into prestige drama. His performance as Gerry demonstrated emotional depth and quiet intensity — qualities that translate well to the morally complex universe of Westeros.

Meanwhile, excitement around A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms continues to build. HBO recently confirmed that an upcoming episode will be released earlier than scheduled to avoid clashing with the Super Bowl, underscoring the network’s confidence in the series and its global appeal.

For Thomas, the role represents validation after years of steady work away from the public eye. For Emmerdale fans, it reopens the conversation about Gerry Roberts — a character many believe deserved redemption, not a violent end.

In the end, this is both very sad news and a triumphant one. Sad, because it reminds viewers of a character lost too soon. Triumphant, because it proves that Shawn Thomas’ talent was never extinguished — only redirected.

From a tragic death in a Yorkshire village to the armour-clad battlefields of Westeros, his journey is a powerful reminder that in television, as in life, endings are rarely the final chapter.