Game of Thrones is an adaptation of the epic dark fantasy novel series A Song of Ice and Fire from writer George R.R. Martin and showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss. The series airs exclusively on HBO and stars Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey, Kit Harrington and Emilia Clarke.
Set on the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos Game of Thrones weaves several plot lines with a broad ensemble cast. The first narrative arc follows a civil war among several noble houses for the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms; the second covers the attempts of the exiled last scion of the realm’s deposed ruling dynasty to reclaim the throne; the third chronicles the rising threat of the impending winter and the legendary creatures and fierce peoples of the North.
James Faulkner (Downton Abbey) has been cast as Randyll Tarly, aka Sam’s father who the show describes as a “humorless martinet, severe and intimidating”. Samantha Spiro has also been cast as Sam’s mother while Rebecca Benson will play his sister in the upcoming season as well.
As for Kit Harington, who said he died last season, it looks like he is indeed coming back (not-so-shocking news anymore). But after several shots of the actor appearing on location with other cast and crew during filming for the sixth season and now the following quote (see below), you can scratch any doubts about whether or not Jon Snow is indeed returning or not.
“Let’s just say that Game of Thrones will remain a part of my life for a while, I’ll probably be in my thirties when it’s over. One thing’s for sure: the day I’m no longer on Thrones is the day I’ll bury myself in movie projects.”
“I had to pass on amazing parts because I was attached to Game of Thrones. So the show is like a double-edged sword to me: I owe a lot to it, but at the same time it has almost completely drained me. Oh well, I try not to think about it too much. The important thing is that I now know exactly how long I am still under contract.”
– Harington
Source: Watchers on The Wall & Humo