Actor J.J. Murphy passed away only four days into production on Game of Thrones season 5.

The actor playing Ser Denys Mallister, a senior member of the Night’s Watch, passed away on Friday, the Belfast Telegraph reported.

HBO confirmed the news and shared a statement from Thrones showrunners D.B. Weiss and David Benioff:”We will not be recasting J.J. Murphy. He was a lovely man, and the best Denys Mallister we could have hoped for. And now his watch is ended.”

Though his role on the hit HBO series had not been formally announced, J.J. Murphy filmed his first scene as the commander of the Shadow Tower only days before his sudden passing in Northern Ireland. Murphy was 86, and is survived by his wife and family.

According to the Telegraph, Murphy was cast as Ser Denys at the end of July, and was reportedly excited to be joining Game of Thrones season 5. As Murphy was scheduled to shoot several more scenes, it is unknown how producers will proceed with the role of Ser Denys Mallister. The part may be recast, or simply cut from the Night’s Watch storyline.

A veteran of theater, television, and film, J.J. Murphy will be seen in the upcoming film Dracula Untold, starring Luke Evans. The actor also appeared in the 1999 film adaptation of Angela’s Ashes. Murphy was especially prolific on the stage, and spent many years performing at the Lyric Theater in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Over his time at the Lyric Theater, Murphy worked with younger actors such as Liam Neeson and Ciaran Hinds. Hinds plays the recently-deposed wildling king Mance Rayder on Game of Thrones.

This is not the first time a cast member on Game of Thrones has passed away during the show’s production. Actress Margaret Johns, who played Old Nan, passed away in 2011, after filming had completed on the first season.

Game of Thrones season 5 will air on HBO in Spring of 2015.