HBO
There has been a lot happening in the world of Game of Thrones lately. Even though it’s been a while since we checked in on Kit Harrington’s hair, production has continued to roll along across Europe, most recently gearing up in Spain (which will include shooting in Essos with Daenerys Targeryen, Dorne and some fun new locations) and in Northern Ireland, which has long been the place for the Riverlands, home to Walder Frey, a bunch of Stark corpses and a war-torn countryside.
For today’s big news – that of an awesome character who will be returning to the show after a long time away – we are headed to Northern Ireland. But first, a spoiler warning for those who don’t want to know anything about Game of Thrones season 6.
It’s going to be a bit of a painful memory, but let’s go back to The Red Wedding for a moment. We know all about the people who died at the hands of Roose Bolton and Walder Frey – Catelyn Stark, Robb Stark, Robb’s wife Talisa, his unborn baby, a bunch of Northern lords – but do you remember who survived?
One survivor was Catelyn’s brother Edmure (played by Tobias Menzies), the groom at the wedding who was carried off for a bedding ceremony prior to the massacre.
This isn’t about Edmure.
The other survivor, so far as we know, was Catelyn’s uncle Brynden Tully, aka The Blackfish, played by Clive Russell. The last time we saw him, he stepped out just before the massacre to relieve himself.
HBO
This is about The Blackfish.
According to reports found via our friends at Watchers on the Wall, Clive Russell has been spotted in and around Corbet, Northern Ireland. This confirms reports that not only will Thrones be headed back to the Riverlands, but that a scene that has yet to be adapted from the books – one that involves Jaime Lannister attempting to negotiate the surrender of The Blackfish, who has fled to Riverrun following The Red Wedding – will take place. The report from Northern Ireland also confirm that Nicolaj Coster-Waldau and Jerome Flynn were also present for filming, indicating that Jaime and Bronn will be there in the Riverlands, picking up the pieces of the war and having more witty banter.
This news is a lot of fun, mostly because Clive Russell was so good as The Blackfish. That’s the kind of character – with a gruff, irreverent sensibility – that the show has missed greatly over last season. Things are becoming extremely dour and serious. More comedy relief from actors who can make it fit naturally should be welcomed with open arms. And based on what we know from the books, anything that gets Jaime Lannister headed back in the direction of Brienne (who may also be headed for the Riverlands this season) puts the very popular hooded figure, the plague of the Riverlands, the Silent Lady of Vengeance, back in play. One can only hope.
Other odds and ends from Westeros this week:
- The production has cast George Georgiou as a Slaver from Yunkai. In a photo from Spain, he was scene hanging out with the actors of the Dornish contingent. Could this mean that Dorne will be intertwining with Dany’s storyline a bit? Maybe. It could also just be a matter of proximity, as Thrones is shooting a bunch of stuff in Spain at the moment.
- The production has also cast actress Souad Faress as a “High Priestess,” which would line-up with the rumor that Dany’s storyline will lead her back to Vaes Dothrak, the home land of the Dothraki, to visit the Dothraki widows.
- Another casting bit, Tyrant actor Staz Nair has been confirmed for a role that is believed to be the leader of the Dothraki horde that picked up Dany at the end of season 5. The news also included a wild spoiler report about a battle involving Dothraki, fire and well, you can guess the rest or read it here. Needless to say, things are heating up for everyone’s favorite Targaryen queen.
- Where is Tyrion? Besides holding down Meereen, Peter Dinklage has also been spotted a tower in Spain that looks an awful lot like it is in Dothraki territory. As Winter is Coming posits, this could mean that at some point Tyrion and crew leave (or are forced out of) Meereen to meet up with Dany. We’ll see what it really turns out to be. Either way, the tower is yet another beautiful set for Thrones.