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Game of Thrones numerous spoilers about certain characters leaking online.
While many characters are known to be returning - Jon Snow, Sansa Stark, Cersei Lannister - there are a couple who we’re still not sure about.
One of those was Benjen Stark. Played by Joseph Mawle, the character mysteriously disappeared past the wall in season one, the Night’s Watch believing him to be dead.
In season six, Benjen was confirmed to still be walking the earth, but not necessarily alive. Instead, through the HBO show, we now know George RR Martin’s Coldhands is actually Benjen, confirming the long-running fan theory.
Benjen’s presence in season seven has long been rumoured, with recent photos of Mawle alongside other cast members and fans in Northern Ireland confirming his appearance.
Meanwhile, in other Game of Thrones related news, HBO has confirmed talks over a spin-off series have commenced .
CEO Richard Plepner said of the discussions: "There might be some brand extension that would be exciting. It certainly has not escaped the producers.”
Show all 34 1 /34In memoriam: Every major character who died in Game of Thrones season 6 In memoriam: Every major character who died in Game of Thrones season 6 Ramsay Bolton Fed to the hounds by his ex-wife
In memoriam: Every major character who died in Game of Thrones season 6 Tommen Baratheon Jumped out of a window
In memoriam: Every major character who died in Game of Thrones season 6 Rickon Stark Shot by Ramsay with an arrow
In memoriam: Every major character who died in Game of Thrones season 6 Grand Maester Pycelle Stabbed by little birds
In memoriam: Every major character who died in Game of Thrones season 6 Loras Tyrell Wildfire
In memoriam: Every major character who died in Game of Thrones season 6 Alliser Thorne Hung
In memoriam: Every major character who died in Game of Thrones season 6 Olly Hung #F*ckOlly
In memoriam: Every major character who died in Game of Thrones season 6 Walder Frey Ticked off the list
In memoriam: Every major character who died in Game of Thrones season 6 Shaggydog Head cut off
In memoriam: Every major character who died in Game of Thrones season 6 Summer Ripped apart by White Walkers
In memoriam: Every major character who died in Game of Thrones season 6 High Sparrow Wildfire
In memoriam: Every major character who died in Game of Thrones season 6 The Blackfish Killed off-screen…
In memoriam: Every major character who died in Game of Thrones season 6 Hodor Hold the door…
In memoriam: Every major character who died in Game of Thrones season 6 Trystane Martell Stabbed through the face by those damned Sand Snakes
In memoriam: Every major character who died in Game of Thrones season 6 Leaf Blown up saving Bran
In memoriam: Every major character who died in Game of Thrones season 6 Walda Frey and her little boy Fed to the hounds
In memoriam: Every major character who died in Game of Thrones season 6 Balon Greyjoy Thrown off a bridge by his brother
In memoriam: Every major character who died in Game of Thrones season 6 Lady Crane Fell off a chair
In memoriam: Every major character who died in Game of Thrones season 6 Mace Tyrell Wildfire
In memoriam: Every major character who died in Game of Thrones season 6 The Waif Killed in the dark by Arya Stark
In memoriam: Every major character who died in Game of Thrones season 6 Lothar Frey and Black Walder Rivers Fray pie
In memoriam: Every major character who died in Game of Thrones season 6 Brother Lancel Lannister Stabbed once then blown up by Wildfire
In memoriam: Every major character who died in Game of Thrones season 6 Lem Lemoncloak Hung by the Brotherhood Without Banners plus The Hound
In memoriam: Every major character who died in Game of Thrones season 6 Brother Ray Hung by Leomoncloak and his gang
In memoriam: Every major character who died in Game of Thrones season 6 Three-Eyed Raven Killed by the Night’s King
In memoriam: Every major character who died in Game of Thrones season 6 Margaery Tyrell Wildfire
In memoriam: Every major character who died in Game of Thrones season 6 Khal Rhalko, Khal Brozho, Khal Qorro, Khal Forzho, Khal Moro Burnt by the Mother of Dragons
In memoriam: Every major character who died in Game of Thrones season 6 Roose Bolton Stabbed in the chest by his own son
In memoriam: Every major character who died in Game of Thrones season 6 Kevan Lannister Wildfire
In memoriam: Every major character who died in Game of Thrones season 6 Smalljon Umber Beaten by Tormund
In memoriam: Every major character who died in Game of Thrones season 6 Wun Weg Wun Dar Wun That Goddamn Ramsay again
In memoriam: Every major character who died in Game of Thrones season 6 Osha Throat slit by Ramsay
In memoriam: Every major character who died in Game of Thrones season 6 Doran Martell Stabbed in the hearth by Ellaria Sand
In memoriam: Every major character who died in Game of Thrones season 6 Areo Hotah Stabbed in the spine by Tyene Sand
Earlier this year, it was confirmed that the remaining 13 episodes were to be split across two seasons with the next batch of episodes arriving later than usual in the summer of 2017.
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