Season 6 will be returning probably in April 2016, and we've got a long way more to go. Here's what we know might happen so far. It's going to be interesting since this will be the first time the series will be independent of the book completely.

1. Theon is going home

Theon/Reek will probably be free, and heading back to his homeland. Now it seems confirmed. Thrones blog Watchers on the Wall claims that Alfie Allen has been spotted by multiple sources filming alongside the Ironborn, including his sister Yara and uncle Euron.

The photo below is proof too:

2. Ned Stark is going to appear, but no.

Not really, and no word if Sean Bean is returning to the show. Watchers on the Wall claims that we will meet a much younger version of Ned – played by 13-year-old English actor Sebastian Croft.

3. But!!!! He could be back!

One of the new filming locations announced is the Castillo de Zafra in Guadalajara, Spain, which bears a striking resemblance to the Tower of Joy. The tower is important because of the R + L = J theory, so we might actually get to see Bean after all.

4. Freddie Stroma from Harry Potter will play Samwell Tary's brother.

Quidditch stud Cormac McLaggen from the later Harry Potter films will ditch the broom for a Thrones costume. He's been cast as Samwell Tarly's younger brother Dickon.

5. The three-eyed raven has been recast, with Max Von Sydow taking over the role.

In the final episode of Season 4 Bran, Meera, and Hodor encountered the mysterious three-eyed raven in human form. Last month Entertainment Weekly revealed that the role of the raven was being recast, now played by Swedish-French actor Max Von Sydow.

6. Bran and Hodor are back!

Bran has been learning some skills from the three-eyed raven in his time away, and he will be able to see flashbacks, allowing us to see a young Ned, and probably what went down at the Tower of Joy.

7. Rickon is returning too.

Rickon’s not been seen since Season 3 but he'll be back, with both Art Parkinson (Rickon) and Natalia Tena (Osha, his guardian of sorts) were spotted in Belfast in August.

8. Arya is still blind

It’s been rumoured that Williams has since been filming scenes without the contacts, suggesting that her sight may return at some point during the season.

9. Jon Snow almost-definitely back in Season 6. Probably, maybe, not dead.

Is Jon Snow dead? Yes? No? We hope not. But he's been spotted in Belfast. A lot. And his hairstyle hasn't changed either. So he's either just hanging around the set because he can't find work elsewhere, or he's working.

And then there's the Tower of Joy, and young Ned, and Bran being able to see flashbacks, the R + L = J theory is getting warmer already. Will Melissandre do her thing and bring him back?