Game of Thrones season 6: Is Sansa Stark pregnant? Here's all the evidence

** Spoilers for Episode 5 ahead **

Before season six of Game of Thrones began, there was mass speculation that Sansa Stark may be pregnant following that awful and controversial rape scene.

Two pictures released before the premiere featured the young Stark standing in the snow, causing yet more furore, many pointing out how her dress seemingly featured a tiny belly bump.

Since the start of season six, fans have been keeping an eye out for anything that may hint at Sansa carrying a baby, with episode five seemingly featuring the most prominent reference so far.

When speaking to Littlefinger, Sansa attacks Baelish for allowing her to be married to Ramsey Bolton, asking whether he knew Ramsey was so horrid.

She then talks about her infamous wedding night, saying: “I can still feel it. I don’t mean ‘in my tender heart it still pains me so’ — I can still feel what he did in my body standing here right now.”

Fans are worried this is more than just physical and emotional pain - she is referring quite literally to the baby within her. In the same episode, Jon Snow notes that Sansa is wearing a new dress, perhaps to accommodate for her child. (Some fans have pointed out that Sansa doesn't want to eat the Night's Watch's food, but would anyone want to eat their gruel?)

This could all be circumstantial - perhaps what Sansa told Baelish should be taken at face value, while the dress is just a new dress. George RR Martin hasn’t hinted at this story arch for Sansa whatsoever in the books, which would make this development somewhat surprising for readers.

There is also the question of what Sansa being pregnant would add to the story. Season five was highly criticised for going back on her character development; having grown fierce in season four, Sansa becoming the victim once more seemed a step backwards for her character. Could carrying Ramsey’s child knock Sansa down again, the Stark having to go through another trauma?

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Game Of Thrones Season 6 Episode 6 Preview

On the other hand, Sansa could use the pregnancy to her advantage, telling Ramsey about his unborn child to perhaps manipulate him. Or, if Jon Snow does defeat the bastard Bolton, Sansa’s child could reunite the North, with men loyal to the Boltons and Starks uniting under one person.

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How things will turn out, who can say, but Sansa being pregnant could be one of this season’s biggest talking points.

Other revelations this season could bring include Benjen Stark being alive. Fans believe he may be about to reappear on the show, having been absent since season one. Here’s all the evidence pointing toward his return.