Jon Snow is Really, Most Sincerely Dead in First ‘Game of Thrones’ Season 6 Synopsis

Welp, if news that HBO would withhold Game of Thrones Season 6 screeners from the press weren’t enough a clue that Jon Snow’s fate would stay buried until April 24, the first premiere synopsis isn’t going to be much help. Will “The Red Woman” undo such a damning synopsis for Game of Thrones’ Season 6 return?

In true Mad Men fashion, Game of Thrones released the first official synopsis for its April 24 premiere, now titled “The Red Woman,” in which any one of three hilariously misleading statements can be given varying weight:

Jon Snow is dead. Daenerys meets a strong man. Cersei sees her daughter again.

Thankfully, the overall synopsis offers a bit more to chew on than whatever chicanery HBO wants to peddle by that first statement:

Following the shocking developments at the conclusion of season five, including Jon Snow’s bloody fate at the hands of Castle Black mutineers, Daenerys’ near-demise at the fighting pits of Meereen, and Cersei’s public humiliation in the streets of King’s Landing, survivors from all parts of Westeros and Essos regroup to press forward, inexorably, towards their uncertain individual fates. Familiar faces will forge new alliances to bolster their strategic chances at survival, while new characters will emerge to challenge the balance of power in the east, west, north and south.

The “strong man” is at least open to some interpretation beyond what the books tell us of Daenerys’ return to the Dothraki, though the first Season 6 photos certainly offered a clue as to how well Cersei’s reunion with her daughter might fare.

Elsewhere of Game of Thrones Season 6, soon to be renewed for Seasons 7 and 8, screen legend Max von Sydow has been cast as the mysterious Three-Eyed Raven to a returning Bran, while Deadwood alum Ian McShane will also appear in a limited, mysterious role, joining Richard E. Grant and The Babadook star Essie Davis as theatre troup players, four notable actors as the Tarly family, Melanie Liburd as a new Red Priestess, and Borgen star Pilou Asbæk as fan-favorite Euron Greyjoy. Apart from a list of directors, Of Monsters and Men will put in a cameo, and story logistics seemingly confirm scenes set at The Wall.

In the meantime, check out the latest on the Game of Thrones Season 6 with trailers below, and stay tuned for the April 24 premiere!