Game of Thrones season 7: Lyanna Mormont returning to kick diplomatic ass in new episodes

She was pivotal in the Battle of the Bastards in season 6

(HBO)

With Game of Thrones having such an enormous cast and such a long list of fan favourites, Bella Ramsey did incredibly well to stand out from the crowd in season 6 as new character Lyanna Mormont.

The little Lady of Bear Island instantly grabbed fans thanks to her no nonsense approach to negotiations with allies, with some even calling for Mormont to get her own spin-off series.

As Game of Thrones continues to go off-book, the showrunners must have been aware of this positive response to the character, and it might have helped her secure a place in the new season, which is now all but confirmed.

Ramsey was spotted exiting the hair and makeup trailer in full costume at the Northern Ireland filming base this week, in photos taken the day that Kit Harington (Jon Snow), Gwendoline Christie (Brienne of Tarth) and Liam Cunningham (Ser Davos) were seen on set, suggesting the possibility that she has filmed scenes with them.

Mormont went out on a limb helping the Starks with their crusade against Ramsay Bolton in season 6, and her House will surely be rewarded in the new episodes.

Game of Thrones season 7 will consist of seven episodes and arrive in summer 2017.