Lena Headey Returns To ‘Game of Thrones’ Set As Another Dead Character Returns

This article contains spoilers and theories related to Game of Thrones Season 6.

Cast sightings are pouring out of the various European cities that are playing host to the sixth season of Game of Thrones, and the latest round might surprise even the most jaded follower of the saga in Westeros.

According to Watchers On The Wall, fans captured photographs of actress Lena Headey on set and in costume. Despite repeated denials from the powers-that-be at HBO, the most recent of which came in August, it seems that Game of Thrones will return to Croatia for at least part of Season 6. Croatia has doubled for King’s Landing since Game of Thrones‘ first season.

The set where Headey was photographed was designed to look like a small harbor inside King’s Landing. In the photos, Headey sports a short blonde wig, because of Cersei Lannister’s traumatic walk of shame in “Mother’s Mercy,” the Game of Thrones Season 5 finale. Cersei’s gown is especially worthy of note, as it is the first time since the death of her son, Joffrey Baratheon, that she’s worn any color other than black. That suggests that Cersei is unaware that her daughter, Myrcella, died en route to King’s Landing after she was poisoned in the Season 5 finale.

Eagle-eyed fans also spotted Thor Björnsson on set with Headey. Björnsson’s character, Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane, received a mortal wound, but was saved from death and became Ser Robert Strong, a member of the King’s guard with blue tinged skin. It seems that Cersei is taking full advantage of having an undead bodyguard at her disposal. All of this information suggests that fans of Game of Thrones who love to hate Cersei Lannister will be forced to empathize with her once again as she grieves the loss of her middle child.

Speaking of characters that fans love to hate, fans spotted another Game of Thrones veteran on set recently. Sibel Kekilli, known to Game of Thrones fans as Shae, was seen on set with Conleth Hill in Peñiscola. Both actors were in costume, Kekilli in the drab, brown robes usually seen on former slaves in Meeren. Shae died in the Season 4 finale at the hands of her former lover, Tyrion Lannister, after she testified against him when he was falsely accused of poisoning King Joffrey.

So how can a character that’s been dead for nearly two seasons appear next season? Theories vary. The most far fetched theory is that Shae somehow survived Tyrion’s attempted murder, or was resurrected. Considering that the one character proven to have the ability to resurrect the dead, Beric Dondarrion, hasn’t appeared since Game of Thrones Season 3, resurrection seems unlikely for Shae. There has been rampant speculation that Melisandre will display the power of resurrection in Season 6, but she’s miles away from King’s Landing at the Wall, and that power seems reserved for Jon Snow. There is one more servant of the Lord of Light that is expected to play a part in the plot of Season 6.

On October 8, Deadline created a small frenzy among Game of Thrones fans when the website broke the news that British actress Melanie Liburd was cast to play a Red Priestess in the new season. The wording of the article led some fans to believe that Melanie Liburd would replace Carice Van Houten.

“Liburd’s casting would seem to indicate a new direction for the character, or at the very least a new incarnation. One Red Woman or Red Priestess had previously been played by Carice Van Houten, who embodied the form of Melisandre.”

But Melisandre fans needn’t worry. Liburd’s priestess is based in Meeren. In previous seasons, Melisandre has displayed great magical ability. No doubt the new red priestess will have magical gifts. Will she use them to play on Tyrion Lannister’s lingering grief over Shae’s death?

Game of Thrones is expected to return in April, 2016, on HBO.

[Image via HBO]