The upcoming sixth season of Game of Thrones will carve out new territory in the story as it passes George R.R. Martin’s novels for the first time. Martin is still writing the sixth book, The Winds of Winter, with no release date set in the immediate future.
While speaking with IGN about how Game of Thrones will now diverge from the source material, Martin was asked if he was going to act on a twist that he had previously considered for the sixth novel in his A Song of Ice and Fire series. Martin replied “I have decided to do it. Will you know it? I don’t know. It’s fairly obvious; it’s something that involves a couple of characters, one of whom is dead on the show, but not dead in the books.”
“So, the show can’t do this, unfortunately, because they’ve killed a character I have not killed,” continued Martin. “But that doesn’t narrow it down much. At this point, there are like 15 characters who are dead on the show who are still alive in the books. I get all of this stuff about being bloody-minded but David [Benioff] and Dan [Weiss] are bloodier than I am!”
Related: The Dead Speak In New Game of Thrones Season 6 Teaser Trailer
Martin also addressed his thoughts about the show passing his novels before he could finish the story.
“I would have liked to have finished all seven books and have the story complete,” related Martin. “But the show moves at a faster pace than I do. That’s partly because I’m a slow writer, and I’ve always been a slow writer…I wish I could hold up The Winds of Winter, the sixth book right now and tell everybody to go out buy it…but it’s still not done. All I can do is continue to write it.”
Game of Thrones season 6 premieres on Sunday, April 24 on HBO.
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Game of Thrones Season 6 Gallery
Game of Thrones Season 6 Gallery
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Sansa Stark In the Snow
Guess who survived the leap from Winterfell's castle walls? Sansa Stark lives to avenge herself and her family.
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Sansa and Theon
Sansa has every reason to hate Theon, but he did help her escape the Boltons. Will she forgive him and allow Theon to help her?
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Ramsay Bolton
The most hated man in the North and Sansa's husband, Ramsay Bolton.
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The Boltons
Roose Bolton and his bastard, Ramsay. They must be defeated at all costs if the North is to be freed.
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Melisandre at Castle Black
Contrary to fan rumors, Melisandre doesn't have the power to bring Jon Snow back from the dead. But perhaps her Lord of Light does...
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Davos Seaworth
As soon as Davos learns what happened to Princess Shireen, Melisandre had better watch her back.
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Brienne of Tarth
Brienne has reached the crossroads of her journey and avenged Renly by killing his brother, Stannis. But she still owes Sansa Stark a vow of protection.
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Sam and Gilly
Sam and Gilly had the very good fortune to get out of Castle Black before the men turned on Jon Snow. But their role in the story is far from done.
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Bran Stark and The Three-eyed Raven
Bran Stark is back this season, as the Three-eyed Raven tutors him in the use of his powers.
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Lord Balon Greyjoy
Lord Greyjoy remains a wildcard in the story and an enemy of both the North and the Lannisters.
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Yara Greyjoy
Theon's sister, Yara, is more of a man than he'll ever be...especially now. She could be a valued ally, or a fearsome foe.
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Jaime Lannister
Jaime Lannister traveled to Dorne to save his daughter, Myrcella. He failed, and now accompanies her body back to King's Landing.
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Tommen and Jaime mourn Myrcella
Before she died, Myrcella revealed that she knew Jaime was her father. Is Tommen aware of that fact as well?
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Jaime and Cersei
Somehow, we don't think that Cersei will ever forgive Jaime for failing to save their daughter.
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The High Sparrow
A deceptively simple man, the High Sparrow may also be the most dangerous man in King's Landing. Cersei's foolishness has given this holy crusader his own army and near impunity to do as he wishes.
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Margaery in captivity
Case in point, the High Sparrow still has Queen Margaery in captivity because she lied to protect her brother, Loras. But who will break first, Loras or Margaery?
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Arya Stark
Across the Narrow Sea in Braavos, Arya is now a blind beggar after crossing the Faceless Men.
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Daenerys
The Mother of Dragons has been removed from her seat of power by her own dragon, and she can not return to home...yet.
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Daenerys in captivity
As you can see, Daenerys is currently being held captive by a Dothraki khalasar.
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Daenerys Stormborn
But does anyone think that Daenerys will tolerate being a captive for long? She may not even need her dragons to conquer the khalasar.
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Missandei
Daenerys' trusted adviser, Missandei attempts to keep Meereen in the name of her leader.
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Tyrion, Missandei and Grey Worm
Missandei and Grey Worm don't really know or trust Tyrion, but he may be their only hope of restoring the peace in Meereen.
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Tyrion and Varys
Everyone's favorite odd couple is back in Meereen. Varys and Tyrion made quite the team in King's Landing, and now they can work their magic without Joffrey making things worse for them.
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Tyrion
Aside from Daenerys herself, Tyrion may be the best suited to rule the seven kingdoms of Westeros. But he may have to settle for being the new power behind the throne...provided that Daenerys finally gets around to reconquering her homeland.
Image Credit: Macall B. Polay/HBO
