Warning: The following contains possible spoilers for season six of "Game of Thrones" and George RR Martin's "A Song of ice and Fire" novels.
HBO's "Game of Thrones" won't return until 2016, but casting for the upcoming sixth season has already begun. Today, an interesting announcement was made that is sure to excite book readers from all Seven Kingdoms.
For months, rumors have swirled that the Greyjoy family would be a central story of season six, and now reports are pouring in that infamous pirate Euron Greyjoy aka Crow's Eye has been cast. He will reportedly be played by Danish actor Pilou Asbaek ("Lucy").
The news, while exciting, isn't a complete shock. Casting calls from a few months back described a mystery character as:
"Pirate, man in his 40's to late 50's. He's an infamour pirate who has terrorized seas all around the world. Cunning, ruthless, with a touch of madness. He's a dangerous-looking man. A very good part this season."
If those familiar with the source material couldn't make the connection between that description and Crow's Eye, well, you're as blind as Maester Aemon.
HBO has still not officially confirmed the casting news, though Watchers on the Wall broke the story. However, Asbaek was seen during shooting around Ballintoy Harbor and it reportedly involved a crowd cheering for Euron. Other scenes include a Kingsmoot - a Iron islands ceremony to elect a new ruler - with Euron, Yara and possibly a character who may be the other Greyjoy brother Aeron. Euron and Aeron are Theon's uncles who return following the death of Balon Greyjoy.
It will be interesting to see how the show involves the Greyjoys. There were high expectations for the detours to Dorne last season that were not met and one hopes that the showrunners don't repeat the same mistakes. Given the handful of complicated story lines that "Thrones" juggles on a weekly basis, the Greyjoy arc will have to pack a punch to make a difference.
