Warning: There are spoilers ahead for "Game of Thrones," including events that may take place in season six.
Rumors began flying around early this week about a new "Game of Thrones" character who had been cast for the sixth season. Variety spoke with HBO, and confirmed the news is true — Danish actor Pilou Asbæk will appear in season six as Euron Greyjoy.
Euron is a prominent member of the Greyjoy family, the noble house that lives on the Iron Islands. Euron's brother, Balon, is the lord of the Iron Islands and father to Theon and Yara Greyjoy (Yara is known as Asha in the books). In season two of the series, Balon declared himself a king after hearing Robb Stark had claimed to be King of the North.
We haven't seen much of the Iron Islands in HBO's show adaptation since season two. Only briefly did Yara and her father surface in season three, and when Yara insisted to her father that she go on a rescue mission to retrieve Theon from his captors, the Boltons.
Show-only fans had wondered what became of the Iron Islands, and if their absence would continue. But book readers knew there was more to come from the islands, it was was just a matter of when, not if.
*Final spoiler warning: Do not read ahead if you don't want potential spoilers for the upcoming season*
In the book, Balon Greyjoy dies after "falling" from a precarious bridge during a storm. The rumor flies around Westeros that Euron, his brother, hired an assassin to kill the self-proclaimed king.
Euron is a very confident, swaggering male presence. He shows up in the Iron Islands just one day after his brothers' death — conveniently positioning himself to take over as leader. Euron brags about his time spent pirating and traveling to foreign lands, learning about dark magic and consorting with strange folk. He claims to have a horn that can control dragons, known as the "hellhorn" or "dragonbinder." (Bad news for Daenerys.)
Balon's other brother, Aeron, does not want Euron to become the King of the Seastone Chair (the throne of the Iron Islands). He sees danger in Euron, and decides to take the decision of Balon's successor to a vote. This is called a Kingsmoot.
The Kingsmoot is an ancient tradition on the Iron Islands, a sort of democratic voting for candidates based on gifts and lots of bravado. People can volunteer their names, and then bring forward offerings and make a large speech about their prowess as a leader. Supporters chant their name loudly to mark their votes.
We know now a kingsmoot is definitely taking place, as Watchers on the Wall reported, along with the breaking news Euron had been cast. Their news states actor Pilou Asbæk "was spotted shooting today with the cast around Ballintoy Harbour, in a scene that involved a crowd cheering for Euron."
The report continued, adding "the [kingsmoot] scene was very visible from the cliff paths nearby. Yara was present for the scene, as expected...our source did see someone who appeared to be Aeron, playing the Drowned Priest’s role in leading the Kingsmoot and speaking often."
This means season six will certainly include Balon's death, along with the vote to instate a new leader. Both Euron and Yara bid to become the successor to the Seastone Chair. Though Yara puts up a good showing, the victor in the end is Euron. His first order of business? Raiding the shores of Westeros, taking control wherever he can. He also sends his brother, Victarion, as an envoy to Daenerys Targaryen. Euron intends to marry the Dragon Queen.
Fans should gear up for this epic Iron Islands show down, and hopefully Asbæk can embrace the rogue pirate within to bring Euron out in full force next season.
