Ian McShane to resurrect someone 'you think you're never going to see again' on Game Of Thrones

The Deadwood star, 73, has been cast in an as yet unknown role, but the actor said he would be “bringing someone back” that viewers won’t expect.

Reports say that his character will be pivotal to the events of next series and he seemed to confirm the news as he opened up to Pop Goes The News about his short role.

“I am responsible for bringing somebody back that you think you’re never going to see again. I’ll leave it at that,” he said.

He added: “[It’s] a one-off episode. That’s why I did it. But I can’t reveal anything, otherwise I will never work again.”

Some fans have speculated that Ian could be responsible for bringing Jon Snow (Kit Harington) back from the dead after he was killed by members of the Night’s Watch at the end of the fifth series.

But there are other theories in play. One is that the mysterious survivor will be Sandor Clegane, better known as The Hound, and last seen being left for dead by Arya Stark when he fell off a cliff.

In that case, Ian could play the Elder Brother of a religious community on the Quiet Isle, who tells Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie) he has buried The Hound in the books.

Or could he be throwing us off the scent altogether and be playing a character in a flashback scene?

The casting call for Ian’s role, according to Entertainment Weekly, wanted “a man in his 40s or 50s. A gruff ex-soldier who found religion. Now a no-nonsense rural priest who ministers to the poor of the countryside.

“He’s a salt-of-the-earth man who has weathered many battles.”