Ian McShane to join cast of Game of Thrones Season 6

Entertainment Weekly just broke the news that actor Ian McShane will be joining the cast of Game of Thrones for Season 6. McShane won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Drama for his portrayal of Al Swearengen in HBO’s Deadwood back in 2005 and is currently appearing on Showtime’s Ray Donovan. According to EW, the actor has a “relatively small amount of screen-time during the season.” However, this mysterious character will be important.

In June, we told you about the casting rumors of several characters, including that of “Father,” who is described as: “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.”

Based on that description, I would hazard a guess that Ian McShane will be portraying Randyll Tarly, father of Sam. Lord Tarly is the Lord of Horn Hill and the head of House Tarly. He wields House Tarly’s ancestral Valyrian steel greatsword, Heartsbane, which he carries in a scabbard across his back. He is described as one of the finest battle commanders in all of Westeros, and is a man of iron will.

HBO has been keeping a relatively tight lid on Game of Thrones casting lately, so I don’t expect McShane’s character’s actual name to be announced until later this year, when the other new roles are filled.

Next: Robert’s Rebellion: A Case for the Game of Thrones Prequel Season