New Game of Thrones pictures hint at new season's plots

NEWLY released stills from Game of Thrones have given fans a tantalising look at the new seasons - and eagle-eyed viewers are already speculating what plot twists the pictures hint at.

The HBO fantasy series, which is filmed at various locations throughout Northern Ireland has a worldwide cult-like following.

Sky Atlantic has also revealed that Game of Thrones season 6 simulcasts on Sky Atlantic on Monday, April 25 at 2am and will be repeated on the same day at 9pm.

As our pictures show a pensive and slightly dishevelled looking Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen is back.

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Also returning to the HBO fantasy series are Dublin actor Michael McElhatton as Roose Bolton and Iwan Rheon as Ramsay Bolton

And a grim-faced Jaime Lannister, played by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, takes centre stage as does strong-willed character Yara Greyjoy, who is played by Gemma Whelan.

But conspiciously missing is any sign of Jon Snow  - played by Kit Harington - whose apparent demise shocked fans at the end of season five.

There has been much speculation as to whether the character could have survived the brutal stabbing in the closing shots of the last series.

Snow was seen being stabbed to death by several members of the Night's Watch after they labelled him as a traitor.

The fate of Jon Snow took a twist in December when a new trailer was released by HBO feating the character and including the tagline: "The past is already written. The ink is dry." 

The trailer features actor Harington who hit the headlines after making a joke about the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Belfast.

He had joked that the board celebrates the ill-fated Titanic, the Europa - Europe's most bombed hotel, and "depressing" Game of Thrones.

The actor initially apologised for his joke, but he said sorry again during an interview on BBC Northern Ireland's Arts Show.

"I first heard that joke on a red tour bus in Belfast and I thought it was very funny, and so I brought it to a US chat show, not thinking about the damage I may do the Belfast tourist board," he said.

"It's a wonderful place, Northern Ireland, and it's home for me now.

"So I never meant any offence by that and I'm sorry if anyone thinks its not a great place to go, because as you can see from Game of Thrones, it's some of the most beautiful countryside in the world."

:: The new season of Game of Thrones simulcasts on Sky Atlantic on Monday, April 25 at 2am and will be repeated on the same day at 9pm.