Warning: The following contains possible spoilers for season six of HBO's "Game of Thrones."
Ever since season five of HBO's "Game of Thrones" ended, fans have been clamoring for any and all information they can get on season six. Over the last few months, there have been a handful of rumors suggesting that long absent characters will be making their triumphant returns this season. Today, we get further confirmation of that theory.
Gemma Whelan, who plays Theon's sister Yara Greyjoy, confirmed to the British Comedy Guide in a recent interview that she will be making her first appearance since season four.
"Even when I said I'm going to Northern Ireland on Wednesday to you just now, I thought 'oh god, maybe I shouldn't say that.' You really watch your back on everything - 'don't say too much.' But at least it's been leaked that I'm going to be in it, so I can talk freely about that."
Unlike a few other rumored appearances, Yara's reintroduction makes a lot of sense. For one, she isn't dead which gives her character more availability than others. Secondly, (Spoiler Alert) her character in the books does find Theon after he's been captured by Stannis' forces. Obviously, the Bolton storyline has differed from the TV series, in which Stannis is most assuredly dead. But there's still plenty of opportunity for Yara to be inserted into a main storyline. Does anyone else smell a Kingsmoot coming?
In addition to Yara, season six of "Game of Thrones" will also include the returns of The Blackfish (Catelyn's uncle), Bran, Hodor and possibly Shae, the Hound, Benjen Stark and maybe even a younger version of Ned Stark (Jon Snow is definitely coming back, in case you were wondering). Season six is said to have flashback scenes which would make these appearances possible in some cases.
"Game of Thrones" is expected to return to HBO in April of 2016.
