There were at least a few Game of Thrones Season 6 returns that served largely to sweep those characters off the board altogether, but surely those that survived would return for Season 7, yes? So it is, with one of the most unexpected Game of Thrones Season 6 appearances, that a previously long-lost character will hang around for the HBO drama’s 2017 return.

You’re warned of potential Game of Thrones Season 7 spoilers from here on out, but Hound fans (and let’s be real, Lady Stoneheart truthers) were delighted to see characters from the Brotherhood Without Banners resurface this year, seemingly to offer Sandor Clegane a new mission. Among the returning characters was Paul Kaye’s red priest Thoros of Myr, who Watchers on the Wall confirms “we’ll be seeing more of” in Season 7.

Of course, there was never any reason to suspect that Sandor’s (or by association, Thoros’) story would come to an end after their last Season 6 scenes, but it’s at least of value to know that Season 7 will pick up the thread, rather than the series’ final hours in Season 8. Presumably, we can also extrapolate Rory McCann’s presence in the Season 7 cast as well.

Elsewhere of Game of Thrones Season 7, a list of directors for the year has been announced, along with rumors of some major set pieces, while at least a portion of filming will take place in Iceland. Harry Potter star Jim Broadbent has been confirmed for a “significant” role, but sadly without Angela Lansbury.

It’s an open question what Thoros, Beric Dondarrion or The Hound might get up to in the North next year, but in the meantime, check out the first Game of Thrones Season 7 production tease below.

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