Game of Thrones season 8 episode 3 photo has fans speculating about return of dead character

A shot of Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) in episode three shows her deep in contemplation, with what appears to be a face looming in the background

*Warning: Spoilers for Game of Thrones season 8*

A photo teasing the forthcoming episode of Game of Thrones has fans speculating that a dead character may make an unexpected return.

A shot of Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) in episode three shows her deep in contemplation, with what appears to be a face looming in the background, glimpsed in a parting between curtains.

Author Alexandra Bracken wrote: “EW has new photos the next episode of GoT and WHO IS THIS BEHIND SANSA??? I’m not imagining that face am I??”

While fans have offered plenty of suggestions as to who the face could belong to, one particularly popular (and eerie) choice is Littlefinger aka Petyr Baelish (Aiden Gillen), who was killed Arya Stark last season.

If it’s an undead Littlefinger... pic.twitter.com/JqnD16Yq1a

After all, as the dead approach Winterfell, it’s not impossible that their presence could disturb some old phantoms. The new photos tease the promised battle between our heroes and The Night King, set to take place in the next episode.

Fans will get to witness the extended sequence that wrapped filming last August. The shoot – which lasted for 11 weeks – doubled the record for the duration of any past battle sequence in the series.

Another intriguing theory doing the rounds suggests that a key character could return in the third episode – although some believe they may have appeared in last week's outing in disguise.

The show will be available on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV in the UK.