Ed Sheeran reveals details about role in Game of Thrones season 7

(Photo by Stefania D’Alessandro/Getty Images)

Ed Sheeran is going to be in Game of Thrones season 7. That was one of the stranger bits of news to come out of the Game of Thrones panel at SXSW in March. The “Shape of You” singer is buddies with Maisie Williams (Arya) — the producers had been trying to get him on the show for years as a surprise for her, but scheduling issues always stood in the way. Now that the cat’s out of the bag, Sheeran has been talking more openly about his role on the show, in season 7 and possibly beyond.

“I do know which role I am going to play,” he told the Daily Star. “I don’t die in it, I don’t die.” That’s in keeping with other musician cameos. The members of Sigur Rós didn’t die when they performed “The Rains of Castamere” at Joffrey’s wedding in season 4, nor did Snow Patrol singer Gary Lightbody die after singing “The Bear and the Maiden Fair” in season 3.

Incidentally, it was Sheeran’s association with Lightbody that led to his cameo in the first place. “My friend guested in it in 2012 and I remember I was on tour with him and he was like: ‘Right, I’ve got a guest slot on Game Of Thrones.’ I remember saying: ‘You got to get me on it at some point.’ It’s been five years so it’s finally come true.”

The members of Mastodon bit it in season 5, though, and one of them is returning as a wight in season 7.

The Star points out that if Sheeran’s character lives, he could potentially return in season 8. That’s possible…but it’s just as possible that he doesn’t die and then doesn’t come back. I’m more interested in whether he’ll sing anything.

Sheeran also revealed that he filmed his scenes alongside Maisie Williams in November. “I’m only in it for like five minutes,” he said. So he has scenes with Arya. Might he play a Frey? If so, it’s hard to believe he shares a scene with Arya and lives. We’ll find out more when season 7 debuts on July 16.