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Ian McShane's 'Game Of Thrones' Mystery Role Might Not Be A Mystery

A new actor is coming.

Emmy nominated actor and “Deadwood” star Ian McShane is now joining Season 6 of “Game of Thrones,” according to Entertainment Weekly. Few details on McShane’s role have been revealed, but we do know he’s going to be playing an important role, despite having a small amount of screen time.

Season 5 of “GoT” almost completely caught up to George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire novels, making Season 6 largely focus on unknown material. Though McShane could realistically be playing a character who hasn’t even been introduced to the story yet, two existing characters stand out as definite possibilities based on casting calls. Redditor Scaramuccia pretty much nails it with this guess about the “mystery” role:

Randyll Tarly, aka Sam Tarly’s dad, was actually mentioned by name in Season 5, and a casting call reported by Watchers on the Wall for a “Father” who’s “one of the greatest soldiers in Westeros” makes it seem like Papa Tarly is coming next season. The casting call describes the role as being “a very good part” that’s “centrally involved” in a protagonist’s storyline, which also fits with the description of McShane’s role.

Another possibility is Euron Greyjoy. The Greyjoys’ book storyline has largely been ignored up to this point in the show, but a casting call for a “Pirate” who “has terrorized seas all around the world” seems to indicate that’s about to change. Redditors appear to favor this possibility for a variety of reasons — from facial hair to how a life at sea might make someone appear older. McShane, at 72, is significantly older than the reported ages in the casting calls for Greyjoy (40s to late 50s) and Tarly (50s to 60s).

Emilia Clarke has already said “GoT” Season 6 will have shocking moment after shocking moment, so just be ready for anything.

Image: Giphy

H/T EW

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