Kit Harington teases a “sledgehammer” coming for Jon Snow in season 8

Today is the day Entertainment Weekly breaks the internet with a deluge of new information about the eighth and final season of Game of Thrones. They’ve already released 16 different Thrones-themed covers for their March issue and blown the doors off both the sure-to-be-spectacular Battle of Winterfell and the mysterious series finale.

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Not satisfied, EW has also put out a series of glamour shots taken of the cast standing in the massive King’s Landing set the production built at Titanic Studios in Belfast, Northern Ireland. And the actors tease their characters’ season 8 journeys, too. Let’s take a look, starting with the sisters Stark:

“Sansa this season is very much enjoying becoming a leader in her own right,” Sophie Turner said, “and this year there are certain challenges by people who threaten that.” Might she be referring to the frosty greeting Sansa gives Daenerys when the Mother of Dragons arrives at Winterfell?

Speaking about Arya, Maisie Williams was ominous:

"There’s this split with Arya between trying to be who she wants to be — getting back to that naiveté and innocence with her family — and her unfinished business."

Brr. Yeah, we doubt Arya can just abandon her list after nursing her grudges so long alone. Speaking of which, how’s Cersei doing?

“As usual with Cersei, she’s trapped in a web of her own making,” says Lena Headey.

What’s the nature of this web? Headey didn’t give any details, of course, but we can’t help but look at what Pilou Asbaek (Euron Greyjoy) says and make connections. “[Euron] wants to become the king of the Seven Kingdoms, yet he’s also blackmailing Cersei.”

Hmm. Blackmailing Cersei with what? We’re not sure, but it sounds like Cersei has once again chosen the wrong person to ally with.

The brothers Lannister are in a slightly better place. “[Tyrion is] trying to figure out who he really is in this storm of negotiations,” Peter Dinklage said. And according to Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Jaime is “choosing to do what he believes is right.”

Bran, seen here in artful black-and-white, may loosen up a bit in season 8, at least according to actor Isaac Hempstead Wright. “We see a slightly wiser Bran this year, who’s less like robot overload.” Good; kid could definitely stand to have a little more fun.

But not quite yet. As we all know, Bran and Samwell Tarly are sitting on a rather large secret about Jon Snow, and it’s got to come out sooner or later. “Sam is really feeling the responsibility of this information,” said John Bradley. “But he knows Jon would rather hear this from Sam than anybody else.”

Ah, but what will Jon do with this information? How will he react when he finds out that he’s the heir to the Iron Throne and that the woman he’s currently having sex with is actually his aunt? Kit Harington teases choppy waters ahead:

"The end of the world might be coming soon, but at least [Jon is] in love with somebody and knows who he is — and then comes a sledgehammer."

Thunk.

The news will surely come as a shock to Daenerys as well, who has already gone through more than her fair share of trails. “There’s so much she’s seen and witnessed and been through and lost and suffered and hurt,” said Emilia Clarke. “She’s been working for this her entire existence.”

Daenerys’ loyal followers Missandei and Grey Worm are in the great game, too, despite the danger. “The chances of anyone surviving are remote, and they’re aware of that,” says Jacob Anderson. “[Grey Worm is] the thing she wants to live for,” says Nathalie Emmanuel. “They’ve got this lovely bond that is worth fighting for.”

The most disturbing thing about everything involving the Greyjoys is the consistent lack of Yara. She wasn’t on any of the EW covers, nor on HBO’s official character posters. Will actor Alfie Allen (Theon) clear up the mystery? “There are choices to be made, and a coming together.” Nope.

“This is the season where Brienne’s gender is really no longer an issue,” says Gwendoline Christie. “She’s treated as an equal by all.” That’s almost a shame, because Brienne defying gender norms to be a warrior is an interesting part of her story, but I suppose with human extinction on the table there are other things to worry about.

“[Melisandre] is definitely on a mission,” says Carice van Houten. Yeah, that’s all we’re getting out of her. Melisandre is a real wild card this season.

Finally, Rory McCann (the Hound) promises what we’ve all been waiting for: “There will be a chance of squaring up to his brother and facing those demons.” Get hype.

Click here to head to EW and see more images and read more comments!

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