We can tell you, however, that sources say McShane has a relatively small amount of screen-time during the season, yet his character is of key importance.
I wonder what "relatively small" means. I suppose if there's buzz about this role filming at the same time as the "legendary swordsman", we'll know Mark is right.
Legendary Fighter: A man in his thirties or forties who is a great swordsman and a paragon of knighthood. He carries a hugely famous sword on his back.
Who else could it be? I don't watch the show, so I don't know what swords they've introduced, but the only ones in book world I can think of are Dawn, Ice, and the Lannister one (Brightroar?) that got lost. And Dark Sister, maybe (is that solely from the novellas?)
Oh and the Tarly sword. So there's a few swords that are famous, though arguably only Dawn is hugely famous. Did show-world acknowledge Ned's returning it to Starfall?
But there's only one character that Stark and Lannister alike agree was a paragon of knighthood. Other than maybe Barristan, who's show-dead. And Dayne would fit that 30-40 age-range if still alive.
They've only introduced Ice (which they did later turn into Oathkeeper and Widow's Wail) and Longclaw IIRC. They've mentioned that there's other Valyrian Steel swords but they've never mentioned any other than those as far as I can recall. And Stannis didn't have anything other than a plain steel sword instead of his glowing one. They've kept the magical swords almost non-existent.
Did show-world acknowledge Ned's returning it to Starfall?
Arthur Dayne has only ever been mentioned once, and that's while Joffrey is looking through the White Book and comes across his page. Joffrey mentions that he was the Sword of the Morning, that he led the attack against the Kingswood Brotherhood, and that he defeated the Smiling Knight in single combat.
Other than that there's been nothing about Arthur.
Your lordship lost a son at the Red Wedding. I lost four upon the Blackwater. And why? Because the Lannisters stole the throne. Go to King’s Landing and look on Tommen with your own eyes, if you doubt me. A blind man could see it. What does Stannis offer you? Vengeance. Vengeance for my sons and yours, for your husbands and your fathers and your brothers. Vengeance for your murdered lord, your murdered king, your butchered princes. Vengeance!
Doesn't Sam mention Heartsbane? Could very well be Randall Tarly. From what I heard some of the casting calls suggested that they might be including all of Sam's family. He will be very close to them going to Oldtown. Plus Randall Tarly is supposed to be pretty bad ass isn't he?
Why must I always be the isle of crazy alone in an ocean of sensibility? The should to everybody else’s shouldn’t? The I-will to their better-nots?
Father. Aged 50’s to 60’s, he’s one of the greatest soldiers in Westeros- a humorless martinet, severe and intimidating. He demands martial discipline in the field and in his home. It’s described as “a very good part” for next year and that he’s “centrally involved” in a protagonist’s storyline.
Could very well be Randall Tarly. From what I heard some of the casting calls suggested that they might be including all of Sam's family. He will be very close to them going to Oldtown. Plus Randall Tarly is supposed to be pretty bad ass isn't he?
Yeah but as Prince of Ghost points out we already seemingly do have a casting call for Tarly.
Sam says he joined the Night's Watch because Randyll told him he wasn't worthy of his lands and titles. No mention of Heartsbane
Your lordship lost a son at the Red Wedding. I lost four upon the Blackwater. And why? Because the Lannisters stole the throne. Go to King’s Landing and look on Tommen with your own eyes, if you doubt me. A blind man could see it. What does Stannis offer you? Vengeance. Vengeance for my sons and yours, for your husbands and your fathers and your brothers. Vengeance for your murdered lord, your murdered king, your butchered princes. Vengeance!
Currently Game of Thrones is looking to cast the role of a “hapless sly son to cruel father.” The son is in his late 30’s.
The detailed description (beware of spoilers!):
This is a very good part in this season who appears in three episodes.We need a characterful-looking guy – long nose and skeletal features and perhaps a bit sly – to play a son who is unable to live up to the demands of his savage father. We need a really good actor for this part – he has good scenes with lots of the leading cast. The character has a great storyline. There are no options and this is a one-off opportunity for a good clever actor to come and make his mark on this major hit show.
Though there is no name listed on the character, it seems pretty obvious that this is a Frey son. From the physical description, it sounds like they’re hoping to find an actor that looks a lot like David Bradley (Walder Frey). Bradley is not yet publicly confirmed to return in season 6 but he has expressed in interviews a willingness to return to Game of Thrones to finish the Frey storyline, and the actor was told by David Benioff that he’d be back.
From the combined physical and character description, I don’t think this new character is meant to be an exact translation of one of the Frey sons from the books. However he may be similar to the unlucky book character Merrett Frey. Merrett most certainly was hapless, in many ways.
It’s plain from the casting breakdown that the character is for this season only, which means he has a good chance of being killed. A Frey who is possibly short-lived and we’re getting an outlaw band this year– could this hapless son run afoul of them?
One of his filming weeks (week commencing August 24th) does overlap with a filming week scheduled for the outlaws Flynn, Japeth, and Lachlan so that theory is still workable.
Your lordship lost a son at the Red Wedding. I lost four upon the Blackwater. And why? Because the Lannisters stole the throne. Go to King’s Landing and look on Tommen with your own eyes, if you doubt me. A blind man could see it. What does Stannis offer you? Vengeance. Vengeance for my sons and yours, for your husbands and your fathers and your brothers. Vengeance for your murdered lord, your murdered king, your butchered princes. Vengeance!
Father. Aged 50’s to 60’s, he’s one of the greatest soldiers in Westeros- a humorless martinet, severe and intimidating. He demands martial discipline in the field and in his home. It’s described as “a very good part” for next year and that he’s “centrally involved” in a protagonist’s storyline.
Could very well be Randall Tarly. From what I heard some of the casting calls suggested that they might be including all of Sam's family. He will be very close to them going to Oldtown. Plus Randall Tarly is supposed to be pretty bad ass isn't he?
Yeah but as Prince of Ghost points out we already seemingly do have a casting call for Tarly.
This is a very good part in this season who appears in three episodes.We need a characterful-looking guy – long nose and skeletal features and perhaps a bit sly – to play a son who is unable to live up to the demands of his savage father. We need a really good actor for this part – he has good scenes with lots of the leading cast. The character has a great storyline. There are no options and this is a one-off opportunity for a good clever actor to come and make his mark on this major hit show.
Still trying to figure out who this is - doesn't sound at all like a Frey to me. Old Walder as a "savage father"? nah.
Game of Thrones production is scheduled to return to Ballintoy Harbour in upcoming weeks, according to @irishthrones.
Game of Thrones has used Ballintoy Harbour for multiple locations, including the beach on which Melisandre burned heretics in season 4. However the scenic harbour most famously served as the Isle of Pyke, specifically as Lordsport and the site of Theon Greyjoy’s baptism during his ill-fated trip home in season 2.
Given Game of Thrones’ propensity for recycling locations, production could be moving to Ballintoy Harbor to film any number of beach scenes. However, considering Gemma Whelan‘s (aka Yara Greyjoy’s) siting in Belfast with other cast members last month and the probable casting call for (and potential casting of) Euron Greyjoy, there’s a good chance we’ll see a return to the Iron Islands in season 6 … perhaps for a Kingsmoot?
Your lordship lost a son at the Red Wedding. I lost four upon the Blackwater. And why? Because the Lannisters stole the throne. Go to King’s Landing and look on Tommen with your own eyes, if you doubt me. A blind man could see it. What does Stannis offer you? Vengeance. Vengeance for my sons and yours, for your husbands and your fathers and your brothers. Vengeance for your murdered lord, your murdered king, your butchered princes. Vengeance!
This is a very good part in this season who appears in three episodes.We need a characterful-looking guy – long nose and skeletal features and perhaps a bit sly – to play a son who is unable to live up to the demands of his savage father. We need a really good actor for this part – he has good scenes with lots of the leading cast. The character has a great storyline. There are no options and this is a one-off opportunity for a good clever actor to come and make his mark on this major hit show.
Still trying to figure out who this is - doesn't sound at all like a Frey to me. Old Walder as a "savage father"? nah.
Someone in the Golden Company, maybe?
I was thinking the same thing about Walder Frey. Then I tried to come up with a character who would be considered that. Unfortunately, the only two I came up with were Roose Bolton whose son is already cast. And again back to Randall Tarly, but Dickon is to young and I think already had a matching casting call? I must really have the Tarlys on my brain!
Why must I always be the isle of crazy alone in an ocean of sensibility? The should to everybody else’s shouldn’t? The I-will to their better-nots?
Game of Thrones production is scheduled to return to Ballintoy Harbour in upcoming weeks, according to @irishthrones.
Game of Thrones has used Ballintoy Harbour for multiple locations, including the beach on which Melisandre burned heretics in season 4. However the scenic harbour most famously served as the Isle of Pyke, specifically as Lordsport and the site of Theon Greyjoy’s baptism during his ill-fated trip home in season 2.
Given Game of Thrones’ propensity for recycling locations, production could be moving to Ballintoy Harbor to film any number of beach scenes. However, considering Gemma Whelan‘s (aka Yara Greyjoy’s) siting in Belfast with other cast members last month and the probable casting call for (and potential casting of) Euron Greyjoy, there’s a good chance we’ll see a return to the Iron Islands in season 6 … perhaps for a Kingsmoot?
Interesting... I know several have expressed doubt about it, but to me Ian McShane would make a perfect Euron as far as looks go. Especially that pic in the link earlier. It's basically how I've always pictured Euron in my head, just add an eye patch.
Why must I always be the isle of crazy alone in an ocean of sensibility? The should to everybody else’s shouldn’t? The I-will to their better-nots?