Season 5 Casting, News and Speculation V 7 [show spoilers, book spoilers past OP]

[Arkash]

There is also the possibility that a Hardhome debacle sets the assassination in motion, but that would be a bad idea.

If they keep the mutiniy this season, it could be, similar to the books, the subsequent action of his alliance with the wildlings, whatever happens at Hardhome, and him deciding to go crush the Boltons / rescue Stannis.

But then, it wouldnt be a bad move to keep the mutiny for the first or second episode of season 6.

[sj4iy]

I figure they are just going to cut most of Jon's dance arc and end it this season. I see no reason to go over to next season with it, tbh.

[Manderstark]

What sources we have about the presence of Hardhome?

[Konradsmith]

^Several castings of wildlings and wights appearing in ep. 508, as well as a story from a credible source on reddit about a scene featuring WWs (including the Night's King).

[sj4iy]

What sources we have about the presence of Hardhome?

A known source said that his friend had played in a scene where white walkers attacked Wildlings. And there is casting news that points to it, too.

[franko99]

^Several castings of wildlings and wights appearing in ep. 508, as well as a story from a credible source on reddit about a scene featuring WWs (including the Night's King).

Also, Ross Mullan (the actor who usually plays the WW) was asked to return this year (he couldn't because of his agenda), which means there will be WW this season, and Hardhome is the only thing they do in AFFC/ADWD.

[Arkash]

Really looking forward to that scene... The Fist was such a missed opportunity (budget, sadly) to feature one of the most visual moments of the books. I truly hope Hardhome is gonna be stunningly and creepily beautiful on screen !

[sati]

they actually spent two seasons setting up Stannis's arrival, from the moment Davos brought Stannis the request for help from the Wall, end of season 3.

I must have seen another show, one that the last we saw Stannis he got denied at the Bank. I also must have dreamed seeing that footage of Martin explaining all of this, which should have been included in the show in the first place.

Also I think it's very likely that Stan will explain it to Jon in ep. 501. Jon and Sam's last ASOS chapters will be in early s5, so naturally those Stan appearances will be too.

I think since Martin already used the whole saving the kingdom lines in those inside the episode videos we are not getting that in the actual episode

[Konradsmith]

I really don't think THAT much thought goes into the Inside the Episode interviews. I think some production assistant or something just brings up a subject to GrrM (or D and D or whoever) and he gives them a short snippet of an answer. Not many people see them anyways, so it's not as though they CAN'T use the line anymore. Anyways the scene that the line is in wouldn't be in the show yet given that those ASOS chapters have yet to happen in the show.

Nice to see you around btw, sati.

[Manderstark]

A known source said that his friend had played in a scene where white walkers attacked Wildlings. And there is casting news that points to it, too.

I saw that post on reddit. So you think that it's legit?

[Konradsmith]

Yes. Last year that same poster had info about the Craster's Keep storyline that turned out to be true. It is secondhand info so it's somewhat skewed but the sequence he describes is probably the one that'll feature in ep. 508.

[sati]

I really don't think THAT much thought goes into the Inside the Episode interviews. I think some production assistant or something just brings up a subject to GrrM (or D and D or whoever) and he gives them a short snippet of an answer. Not many people see them anyways, so it's not as though they CAN'T use the line anymore. Anyways the scene that the line is in wouldn't be in the show yet given that those ASOS chapters have yet to happen in the show.

Nice to see you around btw, sati.

Well I don't know how those things get made so perhaps you are right. Either way I have absolutely no expectations for that show anymore.

[Konradsmith]

That's a shame. My own show-love remains undented. Well, hopefully Stan and Cersei keep you entertained at least.

[DaveyJoe]

http://image.blingee.com/images19/content/output/000/000/000/7ea/827734301_1853307.gif

[~DarkHorse~]

Hello everybody and welcome to a book-spoiler-free summary of what we know of season 5 so far!

Since version 6 of this thread now has more than 200 pages, I thought it would be appropriate to start a new one.

Please note that I will not be including speculations in this post, except for the FQA section and no brainers (e. g. nobody has confirmed that Sevilla's Plaza de Toros will be Daznak's pit,but we do know that Dany is there and that there is nothing else in her story that thePlaza could represent).

WARNING ABOUT SPOILERS: While this first post will remain book-spoiler free as much as possible, it will include spoilers from season 1 to 4. Also, I cannot vouch for what follows after it. Use caution! For my fellow shookers and book walkers: Please be so kind and hide particularly spoilery content from book 4 onwards under appropriate spoiler tags. Thank you.

I will also update this post as we go along to include new castings and locations.

So grab your drinks and relax - this is going to be a long trip!

[Last Update: 2014/12/19, 9:00 pm Eastern, updates are marked with an asterisk*]

---

First Teaser: 2014-11-25, showing a recap of Arya's arc in season 4 and the doors to the House of Black and White

First Trailer: TBA

First Episode: TBA

Producers:

David Benioff

D. B. Weiss

Directors:

Michael Slovis: episodes 1 and 2

Mark Mylod: episodes 3 and 4

Jeremy Podeswa: episodes 5 and 6

Miguel Sapochnik: episodes 7 and 8

David Nutter: episodes 9 and 10

Writers:

David Benioff & D.B. Weiss: 7 episodes

Bryan Cogman: 2 episodes (just finished shooting today, so his episodes are most likely done)

Dave Hill: 1 episode

[Note: GRRM has announced that he is not writing anything for season 5 to concentrate on TWOW.]

Shooting is currently taking place in/with:

- as of Dec. 12th 2014, both units (dragon and wolf) have finished shooting. From now on, post-production begins.

Confirmed shooting locations:

Croatia (done):

- Dubrovnik/Lokrum and Villa Sheherezade (King's Landing & Essos and Pentos, respectively)

- Split (Kastel Gomilica, Vila Dalmacija, Diocletian's Palace & Klis Fortress - Bravos, Dorne and Meereen respectively)

- Žrnovnica

- Imotski

- Šibenik (Bravos)

Spain (done):

- Sevilla: Alcázar of Seville (Watergardens)

- Osuna: Plaza de Toros and Las Canters (Daznak's Pit and Dorne, respectively)

- Córdoba: Roman Bridge (Volantis)

Northern Ireland (in full progress):

- Toome (including Jorah and Tyrion, rumored to be the Sorrows)

- Mournes

- Magilligan

- Binevanagh Mountain

- Magheramorne Quarry (the Wall & Castle Black and wildling huts)

- Portstewart (including Jaime, Bronn and Dornish guards)

- Moneyglass (confirmed to be Winterfell)

- Sallagh Braes (Brienne and Pod, Knights of the Vale)

- Shane's Castle

- Banbridge (possibly Linen Mill Studios)

- Lough Shore Park in Antrim (Tyrion and Jorah spotted)

- Murlough Bay in Antrim (covered by Dave Hill on his blog, so most likely part of his episode)

- Leitrim Lodge

- Cushendall (including a set with a forge)

- multiple locations for landscape shots

- filming studios for indoor scenes (confirmed: Titanic Quarter Paint Hall, now including an unidentified castle wall set)

- Sallagh Braes (Brienne and Pod, Knights of the Vale)

- Shane's Castle

- Thome River (rumored to be the Sorrows)

- Banbridge (possibly Linen Mill Studios)

- Gosford Castle (previously used for multiple castles, including Riverrun)

- Quintin's Castle

- Carrickfergus

- Walled Garden at Bangor Castle, located close to the Leisure Centre Complex

- multiple locations for landscape shots

- filming studios for indoor scenes

Returning actors (confirmed total 57):

Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Ser Jaime Lannister

Lena Headey as Queen Regent Cersei Lannister

Emilia Clarke as Queen Daenerys Targaryen

Kit Harington as Jon Snow

Aidan Gillen as Lord Petyr Baelish

Natalie Dormer as Lady Margaery Tyrell

Liam Cunningham as Ser Davos Seaworth

Stephen Dillane as King Stannis Baratheon

Carice van Houten as Lady Melisandre

Alfie Allen as Reek

Isaac Hempstead-Wright as Bran Stark (most likely not; see FQA for detailed info)

Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark

Maisie Williams as Arya Stark

John Bradley as Samwell Tarly

Kristofer Hivju as Tormund Giantsbane

Hannah Murray as Gilly

Gwendoline Christie as Brienne of Tarth

Iwan Rheon as Ramsay Bolton

Conleth Hill as Varys

Jerome Flynn as Bronn

Nathalie Emmanuel as Missandei

Michiel Huisman as Daario Naharis

Tom Wlaschiha as TBA

Iain Glen as Ser Jorah Mormont

Charles Dance as Lord Tywin Lannister's corpse

Diana Rigg as Lady Olenna Tyrell

Ciaran Hinds as Mance Rayder

Indira Varma as Ellaria Sand

Eugene Simon as Lancel Lannister

Michael McElhatton as Lord Roose Bolton

Ian McElhinney as Ser Barristan Selmy

Roger Ashton-Griffiths as Lord Mace Tyrell

Anton Lesser as Qyburn

Julian Glover as Grand Maester Pycelle

Owen Teale as Ser Alliser Thorne

Mark Gatiss as Tycho Nestoris

Daniel Portman as Podrick Payne

Dean-Charles Chapman as King Tommen Baratheon

Ian Beattie as Ser Meryn Trant

Jacob Anderson as Grey Worm

Joel Fry as Hizdahr zo Loraq

Finn Jones as Ser Loras Tyrell

Kerry Ingram as Princess Shireen Baratheon

Ben Crompton as Eddison Tollett

Paul Bentley as the High Septon

Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson as Ser Gregor Clegane

Octavia Alexandru as Leaf

Gary Oliver as Ternesio Terys

Elisabeth Webster as Lady Walda Bolton

Brian Fortune as Othell Yarwyck

Charlotte Hope as Myranda (will appear in four episodes directed by Mylod, Podeswa and Nutter)

Will Tudor as Olyvar

Brenock O'Connor as Olly

Sarine Sofair as Lhara

Gary Oliver as Ternesio Terys (captain from 4.10)

Gemma Whelan as Yara Greyjoy (will only shoot scenes in Northern Ireland)

Reece Noi as Keyr (the Meereenese slave from season 4 who supported Grey Worm and voted for rebellion)

New major cast (total 13):

Alexander Siddig as Prince Doran Martell.

Toby Sebastian as Prince Trystane Martell.

Nell Tiger Free as Princess Myrcella Baratheon.

DeObia Oparei as Areo Hotah.

Enzo Cilenti as Yezzan zo Qaggaz.

Jessica Henwick as Nymeria Sand.

Rosabell Laurenti Sellers as Tyene Sand.

Keisha Castle-Hughes as Obara Sand.

Jonathan Pryce as the High Sparrow.

J.J. Murphy as Ser Denys Mallister.

Michael Condron as Bowen Marsh (three episodes, directed by Mylod, Slovis and Podeswa)

Hannah Waddingham as Septa Unella.

Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Malko.

New minor or - as of yet - unknown cast (total 32):

J. J. Muprhy as Denys Mallister (actor unfortunately deceased after he finished shooting)

Gary Pillai as a merchant captain (in episode 3 and/or 4)

Matt McArdle as TBA.

Derek Lord as a military officer.

Alan McKee as TBA.

Tom Fava as a street tough (in episode 1 and/or two)

Gianpiero Cognoli as Master Eaton (potentially the 'middle-aged master' mentioned in the casting calls, in ep. 5 and/or 6)

Emma Maguire as a Winterfell worker.

Mishael Lopes Cardozo as a brothel guard (will interact with Tyrion and Varys in episode 3)

Meena Rayann as a Meereenese noblewoman.

Slavko Sobin as a Meereenese fighter.

Gwyneth Keyworth as Clea (will have a 3-page scene with Tyrion)

Paddy Wallace as a Lead Kingsguard

Peter Silverleaf as Elboneno (possibly the 'fatter, privileged master' mentioned in the casting calls)

Stella McCusker as TBA (in episode 3 and/or 4)

Allon Sylvain as a foreign merchant (in episode 3 and/or 4)

Bobby Asghar as Catacomb Master #1.

Annika Hilbrink as a Wight (sword fighting zombie)

Luc Burns as TBA

Nicholas Boulton as Fighting Pit Announcer

Yare Michael Jegbefume as Slaver

Zoe Smedberg as Wildling Female

Lacy Moore as TBA

Nigel O'Neill as TBA

Maggie Hayes as TBA.

James McKenzie Robinson as Joss (father of a terminally ill child, who is rumored to come to the House of Black and White)

Lacy Moore as Madam Braavos in a David Nutter episode (509 or 510)

Winston Davis as the other Street Tough

Tristan McConnell as Gordy (shooting scenes for ep. 5.10)

Barrie Martin as Wildling/White (meaning wight, in ep. 5.08)

Grace Hendy as Merry Frey (unconfirmed if this refers to her appearance in 3.09 or to season 5).

Nigel O'Neill as Baratheon General

Jamie Darlington as TBA (ep. 5.09)

Genita Samarra as Brea (ep. 5.09, shot scenes on Nov. 18th and 19th, same time as Sarine Sofair)

Irma Mali as TBA (shot her scenes together with Genita Samarra)

Ollie Kram as TBA (shot her scenes together with Genita Samarra and was a last minute cast on Nov. 16th)

Tim Loane as TBA

Christian Vit as Lead Dornish Guard (ep. 5.04)

Jake Abraham as Meereenese Peddler (ep. 5.01)

Markham Pickering as Night's Watchman

[Mary Jordan as TBA (ep. 5.10) - please keep in mind that this has not been officially verified]

Simon Millar as a Wildling (ep. 508)

* Murray McArthur as "Wildling Elder" (ep. 508)

Characters they are supposedly looking to cast, but who have not been confirmed cast yet:

Maggy the Frog

Lollys Stokeworth

The Waif

Varamyr Sixskins

Imogen (suspected to be Young Cersei)

A brunette girl (suspected to be Melara Hetherspoon)

A "Son" (a captured vigilante in Meereen)

A Dornish horse rider

An old woman who befriends Brienne

Stalwart Shield

A Meereenese prostitute

A bearded blacksmith

Meereenese peddler wife (husband has been cast)

A man with shrewd financial cunning and a long thin face

A Volantene sellsword

A middle-aged master

A fatter, privileged master

Luther (big-bellied head slaver with a penchant for cruelty)

Despondent man

Joss

Loboda

Wildling elder

Story events deduced from interviews and leaked set photos (WARNING! HERE THERE BE SPOILERS!):

- The first episode will open with a dream/flashback.

- There will be a funeral procession for Tywin Lannister. A recent interview with Dance notes that this will indeed be Tywin's only appearance this season.

- The Faith Militant will cause several disturbances in King's Landing, including a skirmish with Loras Tyrell.

- "The Walk" has been filmed in Dubrovnik and will be in episode 9 or 10 (David Nutter was seen on set).

- Mace Tyrell and Meryn Trant will travel to Bravos and meet Tycho Nestoris of the Iron Bank. They will be there in episode 5.09.

- Arya will arrive in Bravos and will assume her fish seller girl persona.

- The House of Black and White is in.

- A series of tweets by the actors hints that Lhara, Meryn Trant and Arya might be interacting next season.

- Volantis will appear in episode 3 (filming was done in Córdoba)

- Tyrion will be in the royal lounge at Daznak's pit with Dany, Hizdahr and Missandei. Daznak's pit will be in episode 5.09.

- Jorah will apparently be fighting in Daznak's pit and he will reunite with Dany.

- A leaked video shows masked fighters (Brazen Beasts or Sons of the Harpy?) getting set on fire in Daznak's pit.

- Jaime and Bronn will travel to Dorne in disguise, get into a skirmish with the Sand Snakes and later have a meeting with Doran, Ellaria, Areo, Myrcella and Trsystane. He will arrive in Dorne by episode 5.04 and will still be there by episode 5.09.

- Charlotte Hope's CV confirms that Myranda, and thus most likely the rest of the Bolton crew as well, will appear in four episodes directed by Mylod, Podeswa and Nutter (episodes 3-6 and 9-10).

- According to Making Game of Thrones there will be at least one scene involving a scorpion and a scene of a dragon burning carcasses in a grassy area.

- Episode 5.03 will include shots of a corpse in a cell and (most likely) of a prisoner.

Other potentially spoilery information:

- The Hollywood Reporter has announced that all actors' contracts have been renegotiated for pay raises and potential season 7 appearances. That does not mean however, that everyone will live to see season 7. The top-ranked actors are said to be Harington (Jon), Dinklage (Tyrion), Headey (Cersei), Clarke (Daenerys) and Coster-Waldau (Lannister), followed by 'mid-carder' Dormer (Margaery), Turner (Sansa) and Williams (Arya). This most likely means that these characters will get the bulk of season 5-7 material. No word on season 8.

- Supposedly, there is a big fight scene that was moved from Iceland to Northern Ireland. No confirmation yet on which factions are involved or whether it has been filmed yet.

- UNCONFIRMED: A user on reddit who very accurately and in detail predicted the scenes with the Night's Watch mutineers at Craster's Keep last year has posted that next season will include a scene in which White Walkers walk off a cliff only to be resurrected by the Night's King. This could potentially be Hardhome. However, there has been no official confirmation of any of this happening from people tied to the production of GoT, so take it with a grain of salt, please.

- Sophie Turner has stated in an interview that she filmed a traumatic scene that made everyone on set feel really uncomfortable, potentially hinting at the inclusion of Sansa's controversial TWOW chapter in season 5. Please take this with a grain of salt, as Sophie is not the most reliable narrator.

new shots from the Sight teasers:

-- Arya and the Braavosi captain in a row boat in front of a stony cities - almost definitely Braavos

-- Cersei, peering out from behind a ornate grate

*-- Jon looking up at someone with another black brother sitting in the background

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Is the extended Greyjoy family in?

A: We don't know for sure. However, Entertainment Weekly, which usually gives reliable news, has announced that the Greyjoy storyline from book 4 and 5 will not feature as such.

Q: Are the Griffs in?

A: We don't know yet.

Q: Are the Manderly's in?

A: We don't know yet.

Q: Are Arianne and Quentyn in?

A: They have not been cast yet and since casting for Dorne seems to be finished otherwise, most likely not.

Q: Is Lady Stoneheart in?

A: As of yet, there is no hard evidence that she will be.

Q: Will Bran & Co. be in?

A: David Benioff has confirmed that Bran & Co. will not be in season 5. This clashes with information from the CV of Leaf's actress, which states that she will be in episode 5.01. It is possible that scenes were shot in season 4 that have been moved to 5.01, but it is now official that no new material was shot for Bran.

Source: http://insidetv.ew.c...-bran-season-5/

Q: Will The Three-Eyed Raven be in?

A: Struan Rodgers has not been confirmed as returning, but Leaf has. For more information, please see "Will Bran & Co. be in?" above.

Q: Will Illyrio be in?

A: Roger Allam has not been confirmed as returning yet, but there have been boxes reading "Illyrio's manse" in front of Villa Sherezade.

Q: Will Rickon and Osha be in?

A: No reliable information yet.

Q: Will there be spoilers from TWoW?

A: Most likely, as some characters have already gone through all their published material. Liam Cunningham (Davos) recently confirmed in an interview that some characters (possibly Davos and his surrounding characters Stannis, Melisandre and Co.) will be surpassing their book material.

----

Sources:

gameofthrones.wikia.com

watchersonthewall.com

www.makinggameofthrones.com

about 1000 pages of speculation on this forum (yes, I read EVERY post in the threads I visit)

Great job with keeping everyone informed, it saves me from having to read through all the pages. :cheers:

I'm really happy with the casting, they have some good actors. However, I'm not going to lie, the Jaime/Dorne storyline replacing his Riverrun material has me bitter. I won't judge too harshly until I see Season 5 but it seems like the Red Wedding has been degraded to a 'surprise mother*cker' moment for the audience, rather than serving any plot value. I hope we still get Manderly and Frey Pie because it looks like there will be no Lady Stoneheart.

Tyrion and Dany should be interesting, though.

[Rashtibram]

Does the reddit poster specifically mention Hardhome? Couldn't this just as easily be invented material?

[aFeastForDragons]

A known source said that his friend had played in a scene where white walkers attacked Wildlings. And there is casting news that points to it, too.

I saw that post on reddit. So you think that it's legit?

Its legit. I've seen pics. I can't and won't share anything however.

[sj4iy]

Does the reddit poster specifically mention Hardhome? Couldn't this just as easily be invented material?

It could, but why invent something when Hardhome works just as well?

[igrewupinKL]

The WW could be a recreation of the Varamyr prologue, except with more wildlings around? doesn't necessarily have to be Hardhome (even though i'd love it to be included)

[sj4iy]

The WW could be a recreation of the Varamyr prologue, except with more wildlings around? doesn't necessarily have to be Hardhome (even though i'd love it to be included)

But it seems really late for that, if it's going to be in episode 8. And we know they are going to have a meeting about it, so it makes sense for it to be HH.

Of course, I agree that it doesn't have to be Hardhome...it just seems to line up that way.