Come on, it's Sean Bean. Nerds have been aware of Bean since at least his role as Alec Trevelyan of GoldenEye, let alone his turn as Boromir in Lord of the Rings. And like it or not, Hollywood seems to think the man looks good with a sword.
Bean brings a grizzled, yet warm intensity to the role of Ned Stark, and whether or not we see a second season for Eddard "Ned" Stark, Bean's performance more than carries the narrative as it drifts across continents in the war of Westeros.
Check out this scene between Sean Bean's Ned Stark and Jaime Lannister for proof positive of the actor's incredible talent:
