When "Deadwood" actor Ian McShane was first announced to be part of "Game of Thrones" season 6, HBO kept details about his role tightly under wraps except from the fact that it will be of great importance.
[Spoiler Alert!] Now, the actor himself has provided info as to what he will be up to in the new season of the hit fantasy series. In an interview with Pop Goes the News, the actor revealed that he will only star in one episode but it will be a game-changing one.
"I am responsible for bringing somebody back that you think you're never going to see again," McShane revealed. He refused to give away more so he quickly sad that "I'll leave it at that." Nonetheless, this was enough to send "Game of Thrones" season 6 rumor mills into overdrive.
According to The Independent, McShane could only play one of two characters. One is Septon Meribald, a character in the book "A Feast of Crows" by George R.R. Martin that brings Brienne of Tarth to the Quiet Isle and to the not-dead Catelyn Stark.
Vanity Fair points out that despite showing up briefly in the books, Meribald is a key character. If McShane were to play the role, it also wouldn't be long before The Hound, which was last seen left by Arya to die in the cold, reappears in "Game of Thrones" once more.
During the course of the production for "Game of Thrones" season 6, Rory McCann, who plays The Hound, was spotted on set, which means that his character's fate will finally be revealed in the new season. There are also other theories involving another character.
On his journey to Quiet Isle to find the Starks as narrated in the books, Brienne happens upon the Elder Brother, who is reportedly with The Hound but claims that he is dead. The Elder Brother was with someone named Gravedigger, who resembles the build and even the scars of The Hound.
Of course, many also believe that McShane's character will be responsible for the resurrection of Jon Snow in "Game of Thrones" season 6 but only time will tell. The new season airs early next year.
