‘Game of Thrones’ Season 5 Confirms No Bran Stark, Showrunners Explain Absence

'Game of Thrones' season 5 has increasingly proven itself the most book-divergent yet, but that didn't detract from the surprise of Kristian Nairn (Hodor!) candidly confirming that he and Bran wouldn't feature into the new run of episodes beginning in 2015. Now, showrunners have confirmed that Isaac Hempstead-Wright's Bran Stark will sit out 'Game of Thrones' season 5, offering an explanation as to why.

You're warned of some minor spoilers from 'Game of Thrones' seasons 4 and 5 from here on out, but it seems HBO's Bran Stark reaching the extent of the character's literary path, as published by George R.R. Martin, isn't the only reason the crippled warg will sit out season 5. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, 'Game of Thrones' showrunner David Benioff lamented that Bran's absence from season 5 had been spoiled, but clarified that there wouldn't be much to gain by showing Bran's training with the Three-Eyed Raven.

Ideally that wouldn’t have gotten out and it’s unfortunate it did. The fact is, even though we’re making changes to the books and adapting as necessary, we’re trying to keep the various storylines the same as the books and trying to keep them roughly [chronologically] parallel. And last year we caught up to the end of Bran’s storyline [in George R.R. Martin’s most recent A Song of Ice and Fire novel, A Dance with Dragons]. So if we pushed him forward this season, then he’s way ahead of where the other characters are.

It made sense to stop where we did. He’s now entering a training period which is going to take quite some time, much of which isn’t particularly cinematic. So rather than being stuck in a cave for a year, we figured it would be interesting to leave him out for a little bit.

While we wait for ‘Game of Thrones’ season 5 (already renewed for 6, with the cast signed through 7), we know of both returning, and a multitude of other new characters cast, including those that confirm we’ll be visiting the oft-mentioned kingdom of Dorne, for which Spain will double. As expected, the story will draw heavily from George R.R. Martin‘s fourth and fifth novels, ‘A Feast for Crows’ and ‘A Dance with Dragons,' while HBO has also provided a list of directors, as well as insight into which literary stories may not make the transition to film.

Well, what say you? Are you disappointed to learn Bran won't feature at all into 'Game of Thrones' season 5? What size will Isaac Hempstead-Wright be by the time we catch up with Bran, Hodor and the Reeds, er...Meera in season 6, or beyond? Tell us what you want to see when 'Game of Thrones' season 5 premieres in spring 2015!