Key Highlights:
- Almost nine million people watched the opening episode of Celebrity Traitors season two.
- Sebastian Croft played young Ned Stark in season six of HBO’s Game of Thrones.
- Before Heartstopper, Croft appeared in Horrible Histories: The Movie – Rotten Romans alongside Emilia Jones.
Sebastian Croft’s major roles before Celebrity Traitors
Celebrity Traitors has launched its second season with almost nine million viewers watching the first episode. The BBC series has already delivered several memorable moments, including Richard E Grant declaring himself a traitor before taking the vow, Ross Kemp’s intense paranoia and a cliffhanger choice between James Acaster and Amol Rajan.
With the cast assembled from a wide range of entertainment backgrounds, viewers may not immediately recognise every participant. Sebastian Croft is one of the less familiar names to some Celebrity Traitors viewers, particularly those who did not watch him in Netflix’s Heartstopper. However, Croft has appeared in several prominent television series and films, including a major role in Game of Thrones.
Sebastian Croft played young Ned Stark in Game of Thrones
Before starring in Heartstopper, Sebastian Croft played a young version of Ned Stark, the character portrayed by Sean Bean in HBO’s Game of Thrones. Croft appeared in season six at the age of 14, making his television debut in two episodes as the younger Ned Stark.
Croft has previously said that he watched 50 episodes of Game of Thrones in 10 days to prepare for the role, binge-watching a box set borrowed from his brother. Before the HBO series, he had performed in theatrical roles, appeared in a music video and taken a bit-part role in the miniseries Houdini and Doyle.
His other major television credits include Dope Girls and Heartstopper. Croft appeared in the first two seasons of Heartstopper, but for many UK viewers, his most recognisable earlier role may have been in the Horrible Histories film.
Horrible Histories role alongside Emilia Jones
In Horrible Histories: The Movie – Rotten Romans, Sebastian Croft played a character in the Roman-era comedy alongside Emilia Jones. Jones later starred in CODA, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
The role is one of Croft’s most notable appearances before he joined Heartstopper and Celebrity Traitors. Viewers trying to identify Croft may recognise him more easily in the film’s Roman setting, complete with a Roman helmet, than from his later television work.
Why Sebastian Croft joined Celebrity Traitors
In an interview with the BBC about joining Celebrity Traitors, Croft described the experience as ‘wonderful’ and said he was ‘with a bunch of [his] heroes in a castle with Claudia’. He also called the programme a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’.
Discussing his decision to take part and his approach to the game, Croft said: “Sometimes you’ve just got to go; I have this opportunity, and I must do it. It’s so camp and like nothing else. I’m someone who watches and judges other people on what they’re doing. It’s really scary now it’s me though. It feels like a slight leap of faith.”
Croft has also spoken about why appearing on Celebrity Traitors means he has ‘already won’. The BBC programme returns at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Why This Matters
Sebastian Croft’s casting highlights the broad range of television, film and theatre experience represented in Celebrity Traitors season two. His work spans a major HBO fantasy series, Netflix’s Heartstopper and the Horrible Histories film franchise, meaning different audiences may recognise him from different stages of his career.
The strong opening audience also underlines the early attention surrounding the second season, which has already generated discussion through its cast dynamics, game tactics and cliffhanger decisions. Croft’s previous roles provide additional context for viewers discovering his career through the BBC reality series.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did Sebastian Croft play in Game of Thrones?
Sebastian Croft played a young version of Ned Stark in season six of HBO’s Game of Thrones. He appeared in two episodes.
What other major films and shows has Sebastian Croft appeared in?
Croft appeared in Netflix’s Heartstopper, the television series Dope Girls and Horrible Histories: The Movie – Rotten Romans, as well as Game of Thrones.
When does Celebrity Traitors return?
Celebrity Traitors returns at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
