Ian McShane attends the Europe premiere of Paramount Pictures’ Hercules on August 21, 2014. He now has a role in Season 6 of Game of Thrones. (Getty)
Ian McShane has been cast for a key mystery role in Season 6 of Game of Thrones. The actor was last seen on HBO when he starred in Deadwood. Few details have been released about his role, but rumors and speculation abound. Some of the theories listed below include minor spoilers from the book series, A Song of Ice and Fire.
Here’s what you need to know.
1. Ian McShane Will Have a Small but Hugely Significant Role
Emmy-winner Ian McShane joining #GameOfThrones Season 6 in mystery role. http://t.co/sv5XSoDRxA by @Dtrain1813
Ian McShane’s role will have a small amount of screentime, but the repercussions will be resounding, EW reported. His character has been labeled has having “key importance” to the story and carry great significance for Westeros, Kotaku reported.
2. Fans Are Calling Him a Perfect Casting Choice
Ian McShane + #GameofThrones = Westeros’ Most Perfect Casting http://t.co/EjyQyeA9xL http://t.co/CwEBd6IfOm
Many fans are excited about McShane joining the cast and believe he will be a perfect addition to a world of intrigue and lots and lots of murder. Fans have said the actor will fit in quite well the gritty darkness and murder. McShane has played a variety of roles and is widely known for starring as Al Swearengen on Deadwood and playing a homicidal Santa Claus on Horror Story: Asylum. He recently starred in MGM’s Hercules. His roles have ranged from romantic leads in the sixties, to a British mobster and a lawless saloon owner in more recent years, according to IMDB. He’s typically known to play complex, calculating villains, which could make him a fine fit for Game of Thrones.
3. Rumors & Possible Spoilers Vary Wildly About McShane’s ‘Game of Thrones’ Role
A view of the ‘Iron Throne’ is seen at the launch of the Game Of Thrones Exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art on June 30, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. Will Ian McShane’s character by vying for the Iron Throne? (Getty)
Many rumors and possible spoilers abound as to the type of role that McShane will be playing. Some of the theories listed below could be spoilers from the Song of Ice and Fire book series.
Some have jokingly guessed McShane might play a future Bran Stark, traveling back in time. Zap2It more seriously suggested that he might play Euron Greyjoy, who appeared more frequently in the Song of Ice and Fire book series. Euron is Theon’s uncle and was banished from the Iron Islands. He eventually joins in vying for the Iron Throne.
Huffington Post reported that its favorite theory was that McShane might be playing Randyll Tarly, Sam Tarly’s father. Randyll was mentioned during Season 5. Randyll might be the father mentioned in a casting call seeking someone who would play a central role in a protagonist’s story.
4. Season 6 Is Unknown Territory as It Passes Up the Books
Ian McShane joins @GameOfThrones Season 6 in major mystery role. Speculate away! http://t.co/qfsoe9NQ91 http://t.co/z15mJrSFjW
Game of Thrones will begin Season 6 in the spring and will air 10 episodes, EW reported. The programming president for HBO announced that the show will have at least eight seasons. Season 6 will mark the first time the show has veered into completely unknown territory. The book series by George R.R. Martin, on which the series is based, ended where Season 5 left off, leaving many fans quite upset.
5. McShane Is Married & Has Two Children
Ian McShane attends a photocall for “Hercules” at Trafalgar Square on July 2, 2014 in London, England. (Getty)
The actor is 72-year-old, is married to Gwen Humble and has two children, according to IMDB. He lives in Venice Beach, Los Angeles and his favorite shows are Family Guy and The Simpsons. His father is Scottish and his mother is Irish and English. When asked about his favorite roles, IMDB reported that he responded:
…the bad boy, I had a knack for it from the start.