It's not so much a thankless task, it's more a job with no thanks
Small though it is, the human brain can be quite effective when used properly.
If you turn down work because you are frightened of getting typecast, you'll never do anything good.
I'm perfectly proud of the work I did, looking back at it. I know I've had a bit of a revision since my 'Big Finish' stories came out.
I loathe cheese, it makes me ill.
One way of watering down the effects of violence is to approach it in a more lighthearted way. I don't mean to say that you laugh when somebody has their arm sawn off, but you can diffuse fear with humour.