Carrying on from the previous article on returned characters, we decided to look at who else has popped back from the dead in Game of Thrones®, during Season Six. Along with surprise returns, we look at characters who haven’t been around for some time, as well as a few new faces.
Beric Dondarrion
Initially killed by The Mountain, Dondarrion has been brought back to life every single time, converting his faith to follow R'hllor, the Lord of Light. His constant returns inspired Melisandre to revive Jon Snow from beyond the grave. Last seen in Season 3, Dondarrion returned in Season 6 to mete judgment on Lem Lemoncloak, who had disgraced the name of the Brotherhood Without Banners by killing a group of peaceful villagers building a sept.
Brother Ray
One of Lem’s victims was Brother Ray, played by Ian McShane. Long before Season 6 started fans already knew the actor would join the show and were abuzz with excitement as they contemplated what part he would play. Sadly, he lasted only one episode.
Sandor Clegane
However, as the saying goes “there are no small parts,” and McShane’s role was memorable…and significant. Brother Ray was the one who discovered Sandor Clegane after Arya abandoned him in Season 4, nursed him back to health, and welcomed him to swing an axe at a tree rather than a head - not that it lasted long.
Blackfish
Meanwhile Arya’s great-uncle, Brynden Tully, also known as the Blackfish, stubbornly held Riverrun, refusing to give in to the Lannister and Frey army surrounding his castle. Last seen in Season 3, the Blackfish returns in Season 6 only to lose his life to the sieging army.
Edmure Tully
Speaking of Catelyn (née Tully) Stark's family, her younger brother, Edmure, is another character we assumed dead. He was last seen getting hitched to Roslin Frey at the Red Wedding, but after the Starks were betrayed by the Boltons and murdered by the Freys, we assumed Edmure went the same way. We assumed wrong: Edmure is very much alive and at the mercy of Jaime Lannister.
The Tarlys
Another character who’s come home is Samwell Tarly. Of course, John Bradley-West, who plays Sam, has appeared in every single season – but this is the first time we meet his family. Arriving with Gilly and her son Sam at Horn Hill, we’re introduced to his warm and loving mother and sister Melessa and Talla. There’s also another son in the family, Dickon, who is quite pleasant; but the patriarch of the Tarly household, Randyll Tarly, is anything but. Cold and hard, Randyll Tarly is disconcertingly reminiscent of the late Tywin Lannister.
Arya Stark
She never actually left the show - in fact, Maisie Williams is one of the few actors who’s appeared in every single season - but since Season 5, Arya has been on a mission to be no one. Let’s be honest though: she succeeded. Many fans felt her storyline was stagnating, but Season 6 breathed new life into it, as she finally did what we were all waiting for: stuck that annoying waif with the pointy end and reminded us who she really is.
The Acting Troupe
One of the reasons behind Arya's return is her failure to assassinate the Lady Crane. Part of a theatre troupe in Braavos, the lady’s talent and kindness bring Arya’s true nature to the fore. Besides forming this very important part of the plot, the troupe also provides much-needed comic relief as they reenact the events of previous seasons, albeit heinously inaccurately. Clarenzo, Camello, Bianca and Bobono also form part of the troupe, led by Swaziland-born actor Richard E. Grant as Izembaro.
Lyanna Mormont
This may be the first time we’ve seen Lady Mormont in the show, but she was first mentioned in Season 5. We’ve also seen other members of her house in previous seasons, most notably Ser Jorah Mormont. But while Lyanna supports the Starks like her mother Maege before her, nothing will draw Jorah away from his Targaryen queen. However, even with only 62 fighting men, the 10-year-old Lady of Bear Island, wonderfully portrayed by Bella Ramsey, is still far more intimidating than her cousin.
Will more characters return in the remaining two episodes of the season? Are there still new faces to be welcomed into the fold (however briefly)? Carry on watching and find out.
Game of Thrones Season 6 arrives Express from the US on Monday 25 April at 03:00 on M-Net Edge (102) and will be available on all DStv Catch Up platforms 24 hours after the US broadcast. Download the DStv Now app for iOS or Android or watch it on your DStv Explora or online.
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