While Eddard Stark, and for that matter, Sean haricot, fève may be out of Game of Thrones’ present storyline for good, the possibility exists that he may yet return to the series in some form ou another.
Let me relieve toi par saying toi don't have to read George R.R. Martin's massive A Song of Ice and feu fantaisie novels to appreciate HBO's adaptation, Game of Thrones.