Game of Thrones 2017 preview: What’s on the way this year

Which cast members are returning? Who’s brand new?

Game of Thrones Season 6 wasn’t without significant deaths, but there’re still a large number of returning characters running around the Known World. Season 7 will reunite us with all the people we know and (sometimes) love, among them Queens Cersei I Lannister (Lena Headey) and Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke), who are on a collision course. We’ll also check back in with Daenerys’ new allies, including Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage), Varys (Conleth Hill), and Theon and Yara Greyjoy (Alfie Allen and Gemma Whelan). And of course the Stark children (and Jon) are all back. And the guy seemingly pulling all the strings, Littlefinger (Aiden Gillen), isn’t going anywhere.

Season 6 was notable for bringing back a large number of characters we hadn’t seen in a while, including Edmure Tully, Walder Frey, and Benjen Stark. That trend will continue in Season 7, as there’s on-set proof that Joe Dempsie will return as Gendry, Arya’s blacksmith buddy and King Robert’s last surviving bastard.

Gendry was last seen being hustled away from Dragonstone by Ser Davos Seaworth (Liam Cunningham) in Season 3’s “Mhysa.” At this point in the series, House Baratheon is all but extinct, but Gendry still has the king’s blood in him.

We also know that Sam’s brother Dickon Tarly will return, although he won’t be played by Freddie Stroma, as he was in Season 6’s “Blood of My Blood.” who played Dickon Tarly, will not be returning. Instead, Tom Hopper of Starz’s Black Sails will take on the role. Sam’s vicious father Randyll Tarly will return as well, still played by James Faulkner.

Speaking of new additions, Oscar-winning English actor Jim Broadbent will join the cast in a “significant” role. Broadbent has starred in the Harry Potter franchise, Bridget Jones’ Diary and Iris. We’re still not sure exactly who his character will be, although we have some ideas.

However, we do know that UFC fighter Conor McGregor is on board Season 7. And when we say ‘on board,’ we mean it literally. He’s reportedly signed on to play a mute pirate on King Euron Greyjoy’s longship Silence.

Next: Which characters are reuniting? Which are meeting for the first time?