The secrecy concerning the casting for Thrones Season 6 continues to operate on a J.J. Abrams-esque level of focus, but Ian McShane is at least willing to drop a tiny little hint for us. Speaking to Pop Goes the News in Mexico, where he’s promoting his film The Hollow Point at the Los Cabos International Film Festival, McShane revealed one new detail about his character.
"I am responsible for bringing somebody back that you think you’re never going to see again. I’ll leave it at that."
CAUTION: SPOILERS BEYOND THIS POINT
Pop Goes the News highlights this as potentially meaning he’s responsible for bringing someone back from the dead. However, I think the wording is a bit ambiguous; he could just be referring to bringing a character back who has been off-screen for sometime. Maybe he’s playing a Northerner taking care of Rickon and Osha, who are returning this season?
In any case, speculation about bringing back dead people naturally congregates around two significant characters: Jon Snow, whose death is either a sure thing or a total hoax depending on who you ask; and Rory McCann’s Sandor Clegane, whom Arya left for dead in the Season 4 finale but who could very well have survived, as explained by a popular fan theory from the books.*
Regardless, McShane’s only in one episode, which is why he accepted the role. “But I can’t reveal anything, otherwise I will never work again.” Don’t worry, Ian, we won’t tell a soul. Probably.