Jim Broadbent joins Game of Thrones

Harry Potter veteran Jim Broadband has joined another fantasy favourite: Game of Thrones.

Broadbent is the first actor to be cast for the forthcoming seventh season of the popular drama, in a role described as “significant”. This titbit isn’t overly helpful in helping us uncover who the mystery character is, as George R.R. Martin’s books are absolutely packed with characters. That’s assuming the character isn’t completely new to the franchise.

Fans are already speculating over the identity of the character, with a popular bet being Marwyn the Mage. Marwyn is an archmaester of the Citadel in the books, meaning he would be most likely to pop up in Sam’s storyline in season seven. This could mean more focus is going to be devoted to Sam this season, after his relatively small amount of screen time in season six.

Broadbent is well known for his roles in a number of high-profile films, including an Oscar-winning turn in Iris (2001). He has also appeared in Time Bandits, Brazil and Bridget Jones’s Diary. However, fantasy fans will recognise him best as Horace Slughorn, potions professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

He is not the first actor from the Harry Potter films to jump ships to Game of Thrones. Filch actor David Bradley played the even more loathsome Walder Frey in Thrones and Tonks actress Natalia Tena played the wildling Osha.

In August, Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams confirmed she had read the scripts for the upcoming season and promised “nothing will prepare you” for what’s about to come.