Update: The Game of Thrones Season 7 trailer confirms that Melisandre will appear in Season 7. The Inquisitr has more details on Melisandre’s appearance in the Season 7 trailer, here .
It is one of the more mysterious questions hanging over Game of Thrones Season 7. Will Melisandre, the red witch who has cast a spell on so many, return to cast more in Game of Thrones Season 7? What do spoilers say about the possibility of her return?
Surprisingly, very little, which is odd because her storyline did not end on a cliffhanger. So what’s with all the secrecy? Here is what is known about Melisandre (Carice van Houten) and her possible appearance in Game of Thrones Season 7.
Warning: The following article contains possible spoilers about Game of Thrones Season 7.
When Game of Thrones Season 6 ended, Jon Snow (Kit Harington) had banished Melisandre from the North, after learning a devastating truth from his trusted advisor, Ser Davos (Liam Cunningham). In the Season 6 finale, Davos confronted Melisandre and made her confess her greatest sin to Jon Snow. She complied, admitting to sacrificing Princess Shireen, the daughter of Stannis Baratheon, before his battle with House Bolton.
It was a brutal fact that Davos discovered just before the Starks’ own battle with the Boltons. Repulsed by the revelation, Jon ordered her out of Winterfell and the North, declaring he would enforce the death penalty if she were to return.
Will she return to the North despite Jon Snow’s warning? Or will she turn up elsewhere in Game of Thrones Season 7? It is not entirely clear.
Until recently, it has not even been clear if Melisandre, who has been a consistent presence on Game of Thrones ever since Season 2, would appear at all. However, a recent report seems to suggest she will return after all.
The clues Melisandre will appear in Game of Thrones Season 7.
Winter is Coming reports that actress Carice van Houten, who portrays Melisandre, will be joining, confirmed Season 7 star Liam Cunningham (Davos) on the Game of Thrones Season 7 press tour. If van Houten is involved in doing press for Game of Thrones Season 7, one would assume she will also be a participant.
In April, Winter is Coming also reported on a “throwback Thursday” tweet posted by van Houten. The picture tweeted by van Houten showed the actress in the same special effects make-up she donned for the infamous scene in Season 6, where viewers learned Melisandre’s true age. Winter is Coming was not able to determine whether the image was from production on Season 6 or Season 7.
No set leaks of Melisandre in Game of Thrones Season 7.
While photographers have successfully snapped set pictures of major Game of Thrones Season 7 activity, none of it has included Carice van Houten’s Melisandre. So if she has been a part of Game of Thrones Season 7, it has been kept top secret, which brings us to the next question.
Why would Melisandre’s presence in Game of Thrones Season 7 be shrouded in so much mystery?
It was understandable when Game of Thrones worked overtime to obscure Jon Snow’s return from the dead in Season 6. Whether he would return had a significant impact on Game of Thrones and resolved a major cliffhanger.
If Melisandre appears in Game of Thrones Season 7, there should be significantly less hoopla around it. Melisandre was in no mortal danger when she left Winterfell, and unlike Game of Thrones Season 6, confirmation of her presence in Season 7 would not offer a great deal of insight into the plot lines of other Game of Thrones characters in the upcoming season.
Game of Thrones Season 7 theories: What could Melisandre be up to in Game of Thrones Season 7?
Since Melisandre was leaving Winterfell in Game of Thrones Season 6, and Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) was making her way back home, it would be reasonable to assume the two could cross paths in Game of Thrones Season 7. Herein lies one of the possible reasons and theories for why Game of Thrones is keeping her appearance in Season 7 such a big secret.
If Arya encounters Melisandre, who is on Arya’s infamous kill list, it could spell trouble for the crimson-haired priestess. Will Game of Thrones Season 7 stun audiences with Melisandre dying at the hands of Arya?
If Arya were to encounter Melisandre, she could decide to take mercy on her. Remember, Melisandre did bring Arya’s brother back from the dead, and if anything were to incur Arya’s gratitude and clemency, that would be it.
Game of Thrones Season 7 without Melisandre.
If Melisandre is not present in Game of Thrones Season 7, it means that she and Arya will not cross paths during the latter’s homeward journey. It also means that Melisandre will not be around to advise on the White Walker situation, or bring Jon Snow back from the dead, should he need another revival.
It also means Game of Thrones fans will not get to see Melisandre’s reaction to learning Jon Snow was declared the King in the North. She was exiled from Winterfell before the vote. That is a lot for Melisandre to miss out on, and given her belief that Jon is the “Prince That Was Promised,” it is hard to imagine her being able to stay away.
If Melisandre learned that Jon Snow is the King in the North in Season 7, would it draw her back? Or will she be able to show restraint? None of the Game of Thrones Season 7 spoilers currently circulating have said either way. Find out if Melisandre returns for Game of Thrones Season 7 when it premieres on HBO July 16.
[Featured Image by Helen Sloan/HBO]