The finale for "Game of Thrones" season five has got to be the most shocking end the series has provided, giving fans more reason to anticipate the next season with fervor.
Reactions have so far been mixed for the finale, with some people objecting to it while others are still some clinging on hope that one of the last episode's casualties will somehow make it to the next season. Even though the actor involved has ruled it out and said that "he's done" with the show (plus got his much-desired haircut), there is no swaying fans' thoughts.
So what do people know about season six? Cinema Blend has compiled a list of things that will help people get by the long wait for the next season. The earliest "Game of Thrones" season six will return to HBO might be sometime in April 2016.
As for the characters, the show certainly still has a lot given its penchant to kill off key characters unexpectedly. Those who will surely make an appearance next season are Daenerys (Emilia Clarke), Cersei (Lena Headey), Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), Tyrion (Peter Dinklage), Sansa (Sophie Turner), Arya (Maisie Williams), Littlefinger (Aidan Gillen), Theon (Alfie Allen), and Sam (John Bradley-West.
On the other hand, these season five casualties have breathed their last in the series: Ser Barristan (Ian McElhinney), Shireen Baratheon (Kerry Ingram ), Mance Rayder (Ciarin Hinds), Janos Slynt (Dominic Carter), Maester Aemon (Peter Vaughan), Hizdahr zo Loraq (Joel Fry), Selyse Baratheon (Sarah MacKeever), Stannis Baratheon (Stephen Dillane), Myranda (Charlotte Hope), Meryn Trant (Ian Beattie), (maybe) Jaqen H'ghar (Tom Wlaschiha), Myrcella Baratheon (Nell Tiger Free), and of course, Jon Snow (Kit Harington).
Harrington has confirmed that he is definitely dead in the series, but fans are hoping that Lord Snow might still survive the stabbing he took from members of the Night's Watch. There is also speculation that he will be back in some way for season six.
Snow's half brother Bran and his trusty friend Hodor will be returning for seasons six as well. They were removed from the season five storyline because the series needed more room to grow.
There will be new characters gracing the next season too, including Theon Greyjoy/Reeks' eldest brother Euron Greyjoy. Euron is just as gruesome as Theon's captive Ramsay Bolton since he travels with a pirate who runs the ship "Silence" and cuts off the tongues of those who serve him.
Sam's family will also be explored in the season, since casting for someone who sounds very much like Randyll Tarly, his mother, brother, and sister have already begun.
