A key Game of Thrones actor returns to Belfast, the nerve center of filming on season 8

Okay, so, an actor on Game of Thrones — an actor who plays a key character we weren’t sure we would see again — has uploaded a photo to their Instagram account showing them outside a hotel in Belfast, Northern Ireland, the nerve center of filming on season 8. Before we talk about it, let’s run through a couple of disclaimers:

1. Just because this person is in Belfast doesn’t necessarily mean they’re filming scenes for Game of Thrones…but it probably does.
2. This could be an old photo, but if it is, this person is doing some serious trolling by uploading it today.

Okay, disclaimers done. Read on for SPOILERS.

Wilf Scolding, the guy who played Rhaegar Targaryen in Game of Thrones season 7, has uploaded a photo of himself outside the Europa Hotel in Belfast:

UPDATE: Scolding deleted the post from his Instagram, but not before the internet got ahold of it:

First of all, the Europa Hotel is apparently the “most bombed hotel in Europe,” which is an interesting bit of trivia. Second: oh my god you guys, Rhaegar is coming back. And Scolding deleting the post basically confirms that it’s legit. A line from A Clash of Kings comes to mind: “When you tear out a man’s tongue, you are not proving him a liar, you’re only telling the world that you fear what he might say.”

Thinking about it, this isn’t THAT surprising. After all, Rhaegar is one of the most important characters in this story…who was dead before it properly started. We’ve been hearing about him since season 1, but only got our first look at him in the season 7 finale, when Bran Stark went back in time to watch his secret wedding to Lyanna Stark:

We also now know that Rhaegar is the father of Jon Snow, which means Jon is the heir to the Iron Throne, which information could cause all manner of unholy mess when it inevitably gets out come season 8. Considering how important Rhaegar is to the overall narrative, Bran has plenty of reason to take at least one more trip back in time to see what he’s up to. Was up to. Whatever.

What will we see Rhaegar doing? That’s anybody’s guess. Belfast is home to Titanic Studios, which houses a vast array of indoor sets that can be fitted to stand in for anywhere in Westeros, and beyond. However, it’d be very cool to see Rhaegar walking the ramparts of the enormous King’s Landing set the production has build on a backlot.

We’ll keep our ear to the ground for more.

Next: Season 8 filming: The King’s Landing set prepares for battle

To stay up to date on everything Game of Thrones, follow our all-encompassing Facebook page and sign up for our exclusive newsletter.

Watch Game of Thrones for FREE with a no-risk, 7-day free trial of Amazon Channels