This post contains spoilers for Game of Thrones – both the show and the books. You've been warned!
This season of Game of Thrones is a shaping up to be a good time for "dead" characters to make a comeback – and many fans believe at least two more will do so: the Hound and Catelyn Stark.
Let's look at the evidence, shall we?
First up, the Hound: We didn't actually see this guy die, and a lot of book fans believe he's a mysterious gravedigger (not yet seen in the show) who lives with brothers of the Faith of the Seven.
This was basically all but confirmed by Ian McShane, who has been cast to appear in one episode this season in a role that sounds a lot like the Elder Brother.
Because not only would the Hound coming back be great, it would also mean an event fans call Cleganebowl might happen – in which brother would fight brother in an epic battle to the death.
As has been mentioned a number of times this season, Cersei is facing a trial by combat thanks to the charges brought against her by the Faith. She will use the undead Mountain as her champion, and many believe the newly religious and certainly not dead Hound will be the champion for the Faith.
Some think this MAY happen in the next episode – or at least, the setup for it will happen, mainly because the episode is called "The Broken Man", and the preview features this shot that MIGHT be the Hound.
Catelyn's return doesn't seem quite as set in stone (ahem), but there is still a chance it might happen. If you're a show-only fan, you may not realise that she IS already back in the books – kinda.
Beric Dondarrion, whom you may remember from Season 3 when he was resurrected by red priest Thoros of Myr, gives his life for Catelyn's after the Red Wedding. But she comes back quite a different creature – called Lady Stoneheart, motivated solely by vengeance. She roams the countryside with the Brotherhood Without Banners, killing anyone she thinks wronged her family – especially Freys, Boltons, and Lannisters.
When Stoneheart didn't appear after the Red Wedding on the show – or in the next season, or the season after that – many fans gave up hope of ever seeing her onscreen.
But Season 6 has rekindled some of that hope, as the show has begun to pick up and weave together loose plot threads from previous seasons – particularly Season 3.
Add to that Catelyn's uncle the Blackfish appearing in the preview for the next episode, plus multiple characters converging on Riverrun, and the prospect of Lady Stoneheart begins to make a little more sense.
On the other hand, a lot of fans believe Lady Stoneheart's vengeance storyline will be merged with Sansa's.
