10 Predictions For Game Of Thrones Season 6

For the very first time since HBO debuted Game Of Thrones back in 2011, both fans of the series and of the source novels by George R.R. Martin are equally in the dark about what's to come on the next season. The plot of the TV show is now up to date with what went down in the fifth book, A Dance With Dragons, so until Martin unleashes The Winds Of Winter on his adoring public, we are all in uncharted territory... for the most part. Though most of the main plot threads of the show have either caught up with or surpassed the corresponding events of the novels, showrunners Dan Weiss and David Benioff did choose to leave some pretty major things out of the first five seasons that we know will be touched upon next year - and others we can only assume/hope will be. From the inevitable (Bran's return, Cersei's revenge), to the probable (Jon Snow's resurrection), to the possible (the introduction of Lady Stoneheart), here are our 10 predictions for season 6 of Game Of Thrones. 10) More Of Those Damn Greyjoys This isn't much of a prediction as Theon's uncle Euron Greyjoy, at least, has been confirmed as one of the new characters in season 6 and will be played by Danish actor Pilou Asbæk - but what can we expect once he and (possibly) his equally miserable brothers Aeron and Victarion are introduced? The extended Greyjoy clan and their antics was one of the biggest omissions from the last couple of seasons, as they play a pretty large part in A Feast For Crows. In that book, the Ironborn hold a "Kingsmoot" so a new ruler of the Iron Islands can be crowned, and Euron is selected when he produces the legendary Dragon Horn, which is said to give the wielder the power to control dragons. There's a very good chance something like this will transpire on the show, as Theon's sister Yara (Asha in the books) is also involved, and may seek out her brother again in an attempt to replace her uncle with the rightful heir to the throne. 9) Tyrion, Ruler Of Mereen Well, Tyrion was left in charge with Grey Worm and Missandei - but out of those three who do you think will emerge as the one calling the shots? Plus, he even has Varys advising him again. After filling his father full of arrows, Tyrion's journey on the show diverged from what occurred in the books fairly drastically. Though he will most likely still meet Dany and co. at some point in The Winds Of Winter, HBO completely skipped over all of the stuff with Griff (Jon Connigton) and Young Griff (supposedly Aegon Targaryen). Many fans still hope to see those characters introduced, but Aegon announcing his claim to the Iron Throne is a major plot thread that likely won't be touched upon in light of what went down in the season finale. Instead, more probable is Tyrion using his book-sharpened mind and influence to rid Mereen of the Sons Of The Harpy once and for all, while Jorah and Daario try to find Dany. The real question is though: will he be happy to give up his new position of power if and when they return? 8) Bran Will Return As The Ultimate Badass It's already been confirmed that Bran Stark will be back after his season 5 hiatus, and there's a very good chance he'll be something of a mind-warrior when he does. Apparently during the events of season 5, Bran was supposed to have been receiving training from the Three-Eyed Raven and the Children of the Forest off-screen, and the showrunners have likened this to Luke's journey to becoming a Jedi under the tutelage of Obi Wan in Star Wars. The fledgling Warg had already exhibited some pretty impressive skills, but from the sounds of it, they'll be taken to a whole new level when he and Hodor (Hodor's coming back too, right? RIGHT??) re-emerge on the scene. How Bran and his new abilities are integrated into the season 6 plot remains to be seen of course, but one would assume his mission will be to hold back the horror of the approaching White Walkers. Oh, and I'd be watching my back if I were you, Kingslayer. 7) The Wrath Of Cersei Lannister Cersei is vindictive, ruthless and conniving on her best day, but can you imagine what's going on in that twisted mind of hers following the events of the season 5 finale? Where we last left Cersei is pretty much exactly where we left her book counterpart, so there's no source material to draw upon - but there is no way in seven hells that she's not going to seek retribution against the Faith Of The Seven after their High Septon had her stripped, shaved and driven through the streets at the mercy of a baying mob. With both the unscrupulous Qyburn and Ser Robert Strong (AKA The Mountain reborn) under Cersei's command, I wouldn't want to be the High Sparrow for all the sandals in King's Landing. 6) Gendry Rejoins The Brotherhood Without Banners Gendry: former blacksmith, bastard son of Robert Baratheon, and undoubtedly an Olympic-level rower at this stage. After Ser Davos rescued the unfortunate lad from Melisandre's pyre, he stuck him in a boat and instructed him to make his way back to King's Landing. That was back in season 3, and that's the last we heard of him. It’s hard to know what’s in store for Gendry because none of this ever actually happens in the books at all. When Arya is taken by the Hound, Gendry stays with the Brotherhood Without Banners and presumably remains in their company. Rumor has it that Thoros, Beric and the rest of the Brotherhood will be re-introduced next year, so if that happens, there's a good chance Gendry will be among them. Unless of course they decide not to revisit the character at all, but that seems unlikely. 5) Tully VS. Frey When last we saw Edmure and Brynden “Blackfish” Tully, they were guests at the infamous Red Wedding, with the latter leaving to relieve himself by a tree and Edmure being ushered outside to consummate his marriage to the one pretty Frey girl in the Seven Kingdoms. When the bloodletting had ceased, Walder Frey mentioned that Edmure was in the dungeon, and the Blackfish had escaped, but we never found out what happened to either of them after that. In the books, the Lannister forces lay siege to Riverrun and Jamie shows up to negotiate with the Blackfish, but with the Kingslayer currently shipping his recently deceased niece back to King's Landing on the show, that's not likely to happen - leaving the Tullys free to exact a bloody vengeance against the Freys. I mean, does the Blackfish seem like the type of man to let the murder of his family slide? He's only had... err, 3 seasons to get his act together after all. 4) Littlefinger Finally Gets His Comeuppance Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish is either directly, or through manipulation of other characters, responsible for most of the horrible stuff to befall everyone we care about on this show. Granted, he does get some props for helping to take out Joffrey Baratheon, but by and large the man is just crying out for a sticky end like only Game Of Thrones can deliver. Thus far, the slippery schemer has managed to avoid such a fate, but you have to believe his luck can't last forever. Baelish's arc diverged from the novels when Sansa was carted off to marry Ramsay Bolton, and now he seems to be trying to worm his way back into Cersei's good graces by planning an attack on Bolton-occupied Winterfell, where there are lots of violent men with lots of big swords. He'll probably have a hand in a lot more skulduggery in season 6, but I think this is the year someone finally gets to wipe that sly grin off Littlefinger's face. Who could that be, though? Take your pick! 3) Arya Makes Some New Friends Arya Stark was not in the best place when we left her at the end of season 5, having been blinded as punishment for killing Meryn Trant. We do know that her sight will return eventually, but that's pretty much the last thing the source material has to tell us in regards to her character. However, some recent set snaps might provide a clue as to what's next in store for the "Cat o' The Canals," as Maisie Williams was spotted shooting scenes with the new cast members that make up the troupe of actors that we'll be meeting next year. Arya still has a ways to go before she'll become "no one" and earn the right to be a Faceless Man, but one would assume that at some point the young Stark girl is going to have to integrate herself into one of the other main plot threads and meet a few old faces - and what better way to do that than as part of a travelling team of Thespians? Whether she completes her training first remains to be seen, but Arya is already lethal enough to look after herself one way or the other. 2) Enter: Lady Stoneheart Fans expected to see the undead incarnation of the late Catelyn Stark back in seasons 4 and 5, but next year might finally mark the debut of the controversial character. Though unconfirmed, there have reportedly been sightings of an actress done up to resemble Lady Stoneheart as she's described in the novels (throat slashed, cheeks gouged and rotting, with a sash covering most of her face) - meaning, of course, that it wouldn't actually be necessary to bring Michelle Fairley back to play her. The report also indicates that she'll be leading an army upon her return. In the books, Beric Dondarrion gives his life to resurrect Catelyn, and as Stoneheart, she takes over as leader of the Brotherhood Without Banners. Not exactly an army, but perhaps she also rallies the Tullys to her cause? This is just a rumor for now, but I think there's a great chance this vengeful lady will make her presence known in season 6. Watch out Walder Frey! 1) The Return Of Jon Snow The showrunners denied it, Kit Harington denied it, fans thought maybe it was too good to be true on such a nihilistic show - but all signs point to Jon Snow somehow being brought back to life on season 6 of Game Of Thrones. Even setting aside the fact that there's almost certainly more for Jon to do in the books (where his ultimate fate is far more ambiguous anyway), Harington has been sighted multiple times on the Belfast set, as well as out and about with some of his castmates, still sporting that curly Jon Snow Barnett. Plus, the actor actually seemed to confirm that he'd be returning in a recent interview with a Dutch magazine. Pending an official announcement on the matter, you can rest assured that everyone's favourite bastard will be back next year. How that happens remains to be seen - but I don't think Melisandre's arrival at Castle Black right before the knives came out was a coincidence, do you?