Minor speculation but no spoilers ahead.
With a few notable exceptions, “Game of Thrones” tends to fill its cast with unfamiliar faces, at least unfamiliar to US audiences. In a move that breaks the pattern, Entertainment Weekly reports “Deadwood” alum Ian McShane has been tapped to play a role in season six of the hit HBO series.
Of course word on who exactly McShane will portray remains a mystery and I would not expect official word on his character until much closer to the start of the new season. That doesn’t mean, however, we can’t speculate based on the few scraps of information we already have to work with.
According to EW’s sources, McShane will have a relatively small amount of screen time but serve an important role. There have been some filming location speculation so it is possible the answer lies there.
Let’s start with who he isn’t. He certainly wouldn’t factor into a potential Tower of Joy flashback. He’s too old to play Howland Reed and obviously isn’t the best swordsman in Europe the show is seeking to (more than likely) play Ser Arthur Dayne. However, the show is driving into unknown territory, it is still possible his character could be connected to, for lack of a better term, the R+L=J storyline in one way or another not yet known to book readers.
The leaked casting call might hold the real answer. One of the character descriptions offered there would fit McShane nicely and fits the “little screen time, important role” caveat. One part was listed simply as “Father”:
Aged 50s to 60s, he’s one of the greatest soldiers in Westeros–a humorless martinet, severe and intimidating. He demands martial discipline in the field and in his home. It’s described as ‘a very good part’ for next year and that he’s ‘centrally involved’ in a protagonist’s storyline.
This would almost certainly be Sam Tarly’s (John Bradley) father, Randyll Tarly. If McShane does end up playing Randyll, we’ll see another Valyrian steel sword, this one named Heartsbane. After the events of Hardhome, we know how important all of the remaining Valyrian steel swords will become to Westeros.
Additionally, there is still some book plot concerning Randyll Tarly that remains to be explored but the show could quickly move past it, making his appearance this season brief, and set up a new story in Oldtown for a potential seventh season.
Bringing a big name talent into Westeros isn’t unprecedented but is still exciting news. Having him function in an “important role” is even better news. But what do you think?
Are you excited by the casting of Ian McShane? Who do you think he will play?
