Looks like death’s lack of permanence within the rules of The Realm will be majorly dissected during the sixth season of HBO’s Game of Thrones — at least if the very spoiler-y rumors are to be believed. So if you don’t want to know who actor Ian McShane may be portraying or what previously dead character he may or may not play a part in reviving, just go ahead and turn away from this post now, OK?
Did we lose the spoilerphobes? OK, good. According to a new quote from Pop Goes the News, McShane’s brief stint on the series of ice and fire will be lifechanging, for someone. “I’ll give you one hint,” McShane said. “I am responsible for bringing somebody back that you think you’re never going to see again. I’ll leave it at that.”
So who could that be? Well, naturally, there are three options here: Jon Snow, Catelyn Stark/Lady Stoneheart, and The Hound. Now, having read the books and all that jazz, our money is on the latter of the three options for various reasons. Mostly because we already know who brings Stoneheart back (Beric Dondarrion) and it doesn’t make sense for Jon Snow to be brought back by anyone other than Melisandre, given that she’s already by his side.
This would also give credence to the rumor that McShane is playing the Elder Brother—a character encountered by Brienne of Tarth while scouring the countryside for Sansa Stark, who claims he buried The Hound himself. Only… did he really? Keen-eyed observers of the books have long held onto a theory that The Hound is still alive—hello, Cleganebowl!—particularly given the Gravedigger who lives alongside the Elder Brother and basically has the exact same wounds as The Hound.
This would also make sense because McShane has been quoted as saying his episode/appearance is nothing more than a one-off, single episode situation. Now, all of that could of course be a lie to lead us off the scent, but what do you think?
Let us know in the comments below. And watch our Nerdist News theory about the aforementioned Cleganebowl, below!
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HT: Pop Goes the News
Image Credit: HBO
Alicia Lutes is the Managing Editor of The Nerdist. Find her speculating wildly about Game of Thrones (it’s her favorite thing) on Twitter (@alicialutes).
