Game of Thrones season 7: HBO releases official recap ahead of episode 1

A refresher of all the events you need to remember going into the new season

To mark the return of Game of Thrones, HBO has sorted fans out with the perfect refresher recapping key events from the past six seasons.

The seventh season opener premiere debuted simultaneously in the US and UK last night (read our review here) with a dramatic episode featuring hints galore, a Harry Potter reference and one cameo fans haven't taken kindly to.

Earlier this week, betting was suspended on a spoiler surrounding the season seven finale following a surge of “telling” bets.

You can find a compilation of everything we know so far about the forthcoming episodes (the titles of which have been released by HBO) here, as well as a look at incest in Westeros ahead of Jon's meet with his auntie Dany.

Check out the latest episode of our podcast Kernels where we debate whether the series deserves the acclaim it receives.

Game of Thrones returns to HBO on 16 July and will be simulcast at 2am on Sky Atlantic. It will air the following evening (17 July) on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV.