Game of Thrones season 6: Ian McShane hints at previously dead character returning

And we're not talking about *that* Stark

Actor Ian McShane attends the 64th Cannes Film Festival (Getty)

In case it wasn’t clear from the title *possible Game of Thrones spoilers ahead*

Game of Thrones newcomer Ian McShane has revealed some new information regarding his role in the upcoming series.

Talking to Pop Goes The News, the actor revealed that he will only be in the show for one episode and, more importantly, that he will be bringing someone back from the dead.

“I am responsible for bringing somebody back that you think you’re never going to see again,” the 73-year-old said. “I’ll leave it at that.”

While speculators have been theorising how he may bring back Jon Snow, the consensus is generally that he will play The Elder Brother alongside *drum role please* The Hound.

In the novels, Brienne of Tarth, on a quest to find the missing Stark girls, visits the Quiet Isle and meets the Elder Brother. Alongside him is a hooded man called the Gravedigger, who has the same build as The Hound. You can read all the theories from the books here.

This would make perfect sense as the Elder Brother does not feature hugely in the books, which would make sense with the actors one-off appearance.

Game of Thrones is the most pirated TV show of all time (HBO)

There is, however, one other theory. He could be playing Meribald, the person who leads Brienne to the Quiet Isle and eventually to *another drum roll please* the undead Catelyn Stark, Lady Stoneheart.

The second of the two options would be huge news as, so far, Lady Stonehearts story has been completely ignored although it plays a major role in the novels.

Speaking in Chicago, author George RR Martin recently revealed he would like to see Lady Stoneheart on screen, perhaps implying this storyline is not certain to be happening next season.

Of course, McShane could be referring to someone completely different, but within context of the books and currently circulating rumours, everything points to The Hound. Cleganebowl anyone?