Ned Stark will return in "Game of Thrones" season 6 but not the way fans expect. According to Watchers of the Wall, English actor Sebastian Croft was tapped to play the role of the young version of the character popularized by Sean Bean.
The chipping in of a young Ned Stark in the new season was first hinted by a leaked casting breakdown in May, which mentioned a young boy who will have scenes where he fights with a wooden sword. This casting, according to the site, could mean that the new season will feature flashbacks.
In this leak, there were also two other young male characters the show was looking to cast. These two boys, one aged 10 and the other aged 7, are speculated to be younger versions of Benjen Stark and Robert Baratheon. If this is accurate, then young Ned Stark will likely spar against the latter. The two grew up together in the Eyrie as chronicled in the books. This means that season 6 will show the two friends growing up.
Huffington Post also suggests that Ned Stark as a child will participate in a flashback centered on his sister, Lyanna Stark, who was already mentioned by Littlefinger in season 5 of the hit HBO series.
Croft is best known for his career in theater. The actor was part of "Matilda" and "Les Miserables" from London West End productions. He even played the role of a young Martius in the play "Coriolanus" shown at the Donmar Warehouse. He was the titular character in "Oliver!" which toured all over the U.K.. He also appears in the new musical theater retelling of "The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾" held at the Leicester Curve.
"Game of Thrones" season 6 has already started production and is expected to air in spring next year.
