Following the news that actor Ian McShane signed on to the cast of "Game of Thrones' for its upcoming sixth season, details about his character remain scarce, especially after the British star himself admitted that his role "has a relatively small amount of screen-time during ... season [6], yet ... is of key importance."
In a new interview, the former "Deadwood" actor confirmed his brief appearance on the hit HBO series and explained why his mystery character is important to the upcoming season.
"I'll give you one hint," McShane said in an interview with Pop Goes The News when asked about his "Game of Thrones' role while promoting his new film "The Hollow Point' at the Los Cabos International Film Festival. "I am responsible for bringing somebody back that you think you're never going to see again. I'll leave it at that."
He also added that he will only be featured in one episode.
According to Watchers on the Wall, McShane might be taking on a role similar to Septon Meribald and the Elder Brother, both characters based on "A Feast for Crows'- the fourth installment in the "A Song of Ice and Fire' book series. The website stated that the said characters are, in one way or another, related to the characters who could be returning next season.
Fans of the hit fantasy drama have speculated that McShane will play Septon Meribald (the Elder Brother), a community leader on The Quiet Isle who is known to have powerful healing abilities.
The fansite also noted that McShane might be the one who will help Sandor Clegane aka The Hound (Rory McCann) to return in the sixth installment. In August, an insider told Watchers on the Wall that McCann was spotted staying at a Belfast hotel often used by HBO and "Game of Thrones' cast members during filming.
McCann does not seem to be working on any other projects at present, as pointed out by the website. Moreover, there could be no apparent reason for the actor to stay in Belfast aside from working on "Game of Thrones.'
In an interview with Access Hollywood at San Diego Comic-Con last year, McCann admitted that he is still considering the possibility that his character could still be alive.
"It wasn't looking good, was it? If he opens his mouth, and 'blubbbb,' the blood comes out, that's not looking good," the actor said, referring to his last scene on the hit series. "There's always hope, but, I don't know."
"Game of Thrones' season six is set to return this spring on HBO.
