Star Wars: The Force Awakens and The Exorcist actor Max von Sydow has boarded Game of Thones season 6, taking over from Struan Rodger as the Three-Eyed Raven.
The mysterious character was only seen briefly in season 4, but will return next season when Bran Stark’s story is picked back up.
The Three-Eyed Raven will teach the only surviving male Stark how to hone his ‘warging’ techniques - the ability to control the body of other creatures and humans.
According to Variety, von Sydow won’t have a huge amount of screen time in the role, but it will still be a pivotal one.
von Sydow will take over from Struan Rodger as Bran's teacher (Picture: HBO)
Last week, we learned that Deadwood’s Ian McShane will also be joining the cast of the HBO show for season 6. His character hasn’t been disclosed, though he is rumoured to be playing either a Greyly or a Tarly.
GoT has repeatedly re-cast characters, having previously switched actors for Daarion Naharis, King Tommen, Myrcella Baratheon and The Mountain (several times in his case). Shocking Game of Thrones scenes
Von Sydow has a history of playing wizened and/or nefarious characters, and is expected to play a Sith lord in the upcoming Star Wars sequel.
HBO said recently that the current plan is for Game of Thrones to run for eight seasons, with a possibility of a prequel thereafter.
Season 6 is expected to arrive on HBO and Sky Atlantic in April 2016.
