Game of Thrones season 8 theory: Is Bran Stark the Night King?

Time travel does make anything possible, after all

A long-standing Game of Thrones theory highlighting Bran’s importance in the endgame of the HBO series seems to have been hinted at in the new trailer.

Ever since his return to Winterfell as the all-seeing Three-Eyed Raven towards the end of season seven, the Stark child was busy freaking out his siblings - but the character’s future in the series may be about to take a veer into the even-more absurd with one theory suggesting he is the terrifying Night King.

A YouTube video posted by Game of Theories states that an episode to come could see a time-travelling Bran – now the all-seeing Three-Eyed Raven – warg his way into the man who became the White Walker’s leader in a bid to prevent the Children of the Forest from ever creating the army of the undead.

The theory goes that Bran’s transition into the Night King could occur when the Children of the Forest pierce the man’s heart with dragonglass leaving Bran stuck inside his body – a theory which seems more likely upon revisiting the season six scene showing the White Walkers’s creation.

In the scene, Bran watches the events unfold from a distance - no warging here - with the YouTube video arguing that his position is directly mirrored with the Night King's, a move by producers that could well have been intentional. Added to this is the fact that the Night King can touch Bran when he wargs.

Furthermore, Bran’s interaction with Leaf could provide the theory with some legitimacy; when he asks her if the Children of the Forest are the ones who created the White Walkers, Leaf says: “We were at war. We were being slaughtered. Our sacred trees cut down. We needed to defend ourselves.”

Bran then asks who from, and Leaf replies, “From you.”

Perhaps this line could take on a whole new meaning later on down the line.

The newly-released trailer, which confirms the eighth and final season’s release date, also hints at a huge revelation for Jon Snow.

Game of Thrones will return to HBO on 14 April. It’ll be shown in the UK the following evening on Sky Atlantic at 9pm.

Follow Independent Culture on Facebook for all the latest on Film, TV, Music, and more