The Swedish actor will replace Struan Rodger as the Three-Eyed Raven for season 6.
[dropcap size=small]M[/dropcap]ax von Sydow, best known for his role as the exorcist in, uh, The Exorcist, will play the Three-Eyed Raven in season 6 of Game of Thrones. The character made a brief appearance in the show’s season 4 finale, played by Struan Rodger (Stardust), but von Sydow has been chosen to take up the role as the Three-Eyed Raven becomes a major player in the events of the upcoming season.
It has already been confirmed that Bran Stark will return to the show following a year’s absence, and he will be taught how to use his ‘warging’ abilities by von Sydow’s Three-Eyed Raven in the new season. A warg, as demonstrated by Bran throughout the show, is someone with the ability to enter the minds of animals (and Hodor), see the world through their eyes and sometimes control their actions.
Although no reason has been given as to why the role was recast, von Sydow is hardly new to iconic franchises. The Swedish actor will make his next film appearance in December’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
He is the second high profile actor to have joined the show in the last week, after Ian McShane (Deadwood, Kung Fu Panda) was cast in an unnamed role. He will have little screen time in season 6, but his role will also be a critical one. Popular theories as to who McShane will play include Randyll Tarly (father of Samwell and confirmed badass), Arthur Dayne (the legendary knight Ned and Howland Reed tag-teamed at the Tower of Joy) and the Mad King, Aerys II Targaryen, in a Jaime flashback.
Game of Thrones season 6 will premiere April, 2016.
