Game of Thrones has never shied away from casting big name English actors.
Per a report from Entertainment Weekly, Jim Broadbent was given the first new character role for the upcoming seventh season of Game of Thrones. Also per the rules of the ultra-popular fantasy series, our information on Broadbent’s character is annoyingly short. GOT‘s showrunners have taken quite some care in keeping the show’s secrets under wraps, especially after the Ian McShane debacle for season six (spoiler alert for season six below!).
Like Broadbent, McShane was an established and successful actor before being brought on to the Game of Thrones minefield. His role in season six was a small but incredibly well-written one, and he shared several minutes of screentime with fan favorite, Rory McCann, who plays the gruff Sandor Clegane. McShane was happy to work with both McCann and the crew, but he did have an unfortunate habit of divulging precious set secrets to the press. In a different Entertainment Weekly interview, McShane said this only a few days after his character debuted on the show: “It was for one episode, for a start, which is why I wanted to do it. Obviously he’s going to die. But when I read it, it’s nice.”
Unfortunately McShane was a credible source in this situation, and audiences saw as his character did indeed meet a tragic Game of Thrones end.
Broadbent, on the other hand, has still remained silent after the news of his casting. Our only information on his character so far is that it will be “significant,” so don’t expect Broadbent to meekly pour Cersei her wine and leave Westeros forever.
Before his undoubtedly important Game of Thrones role, Broadbent was known for his varied roles in such movies as Moulin Rouge, Bridget Jones’s Diary, and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. He has even been awarded one Oscar (for his work in Iris), two Golden Globes, and two BAFTA Film Awards, among numerous other professional nominations and wins.
The seventh (and shortest) season of Game of Thrones is set to premiere next summer.