April 24 is the most important date in the TV calendar this year. Why? Because HBO have revealed that's when Game of Thrones Season 6 will premiere. Fans have been desperate to know when they'll be able to return to Westeros, and although the news means that the countdown can officially begin, it will be the longest and most agonising wait yet. April 24 marks the latest the show has ever started (the first season aired on April 17, and since then it has been within the first two weeks of the month). Once again, Sky Atlantic will be picking it up the next day for UK viewers, airing a simulcast at 2am and then another showing at 9pm on April 25. Not only is it starting later, but it comes at a time when viewers are left with the major cliffhanger over Jon Snow's fate, although by this point it's the worst kept secret around that he'll be back in Season 6, which will also see the return of Isaac Hempstead-Wright, who was missing throughout Season 5. Newcomers to the cast include Max von Sydow as the Three-Eyed Raven, Pilou Asbæk as Euron Greyjoy, and Ian McShane in an unconfirmed role, although it's widely speculated he'll be playing some amalgamation of book characters Septon Meribald and the Elder Brother. We've already had one teaser trailer for the new season, as well as a poster of Kit Harington's Jon Snow, both of which massively hinted at his return, and the anticipation will be ramped up a notch with this news. Just three-and-a-half months to wait...
NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far.
A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.
