Game Of Thrones Star Teasing A Big Return In The Final Season

Even though the final season of HBO’s Game of Thrones only kicked off last week, fan theories and speculation have already run wild, and with good reason. The long-running fantasy series has been building up unresolved plot threads and mysteries for years, and needless to say, there are plenty of twists, turns, and deaths in store for the show’s main characters over the final five episodes.

But there’s one major player that fans may have forgotten about, and it seems she’s set to make a return in a big way. As reported by ComicBook.com, actress Carice van Houten has opened up about her big return. Longtime fans will remember that van Houten plays Melisandre, the mysterious priestess who’s had a large role in past seasons.

“I guess she probably sees herself more as a matchmaker at this point, bringing together the right people in the right place,” she said. “Yes, steering people in the right direction because that’s more her job now.”

To say that Melisandre’s motives are a bit mysterious would be a bit of an understatement. “The Red Woman” first made her debut back in season 2, where she sided with Stannis Baratheon during his quest to overthrow his brother, Renly. Game of Thrones fans will no doubt remember though when Melisandre gave birth to a shadow demon whose sole purpose was to assassinate him. While Stannis was eventually defeated in later seasons – after he sacrificed his daughter, Shireen, at Melisandre’s suggestion – the redheaded priestess eventually crossed paths with Jon Snow, after she resurrected him following his untimely death.

It’s not entirely clear what Melisandre’s motives and goals are, though Carice van Houten did indicate that she wouldn’t be crossing paths with Cersei Lannister anytime soon.

“…I would’ve liked for her and Cersei to meet up. I’m so curious what that would’ve been like. Although, with that, I’m spoiling something already. But again, I might be lying! You never know.”