Daenerys spotted with Cersei

A photograph of a surprising encounter between three Game of Thrones stars prompted wild speculation about the new series. In the image, Emilia Clarke, Natalie Dormer and Lena Headey – who play Daenerys Targaryen, Margaery Tyrell and Cersei Lannister respectively – are seen in full costume standing together in Spain. Italian site Melty. suggested the photograph provided an "incredible" spoiler: that Daenerys had crossed the Narrow Sea and arrived in Westeros. The idea that Daenerys would one day reach Westeros in her attempt to reclaim the Iron Throne is taken for granted, says the site, but the timing seems far too soon.

Jon Snow is back

Kit Harington has been spotted (with his signature Jon Snow man bun) speaking to crew on a snowy field in Northern Ireland, suggesting the character must be back from the dead. Watchers on the Wall, which has long claimed Harington is involved in a major Game of Thrones battle sequence, says he appeared to be wearing Stark-style clothing rather than his usual Night's Watch black attire.

Return of Yara Greyjoy

Gemma Whelan, who plays Yara Greyjoy, has confirmed that she is returning to the series – and also revealed that season six will see the HBO fantasy franchise deviate more than ever from the books it is based upon. The actress, whose character has not appeared on the drama since series four, confirmed in an interview that she will be back for the forthcoming series six, which is expected to premiere in April next year. 

Speaking of the pressures of keeping details secret, she said: "Even when I said I'm going to Northern Ireland on Wednesday to you just now, I thought 'oh god, maybe I shouldn't say that.' You really watch your back on everything – 'don't say too much'. But at least it's been leaked that I'm going to be in it, so I can talk freely about that."

In the same interview, she revealed that the sixth season will be less related to the novels in the series written by George RR Martin. "They've liaised with George RR Martin who writes the books, and gone off on their tangent, with his approval," she said. "So that's why people are even more interested in spoilers. It's funny isn't it, there's no other show like it."

'Sean Bean on set'

One spoiler-hungry fan took his Game of Thrones obsession to new extremes, by hiking three miles through the Spanish hills to film a scene outside Castillo de Zafra, a 13th-century fortress in Campillo de Dueñas. In footage posted on Facebook, the UK fan explains "Have to crawl… you'll see why in a sec" before pointing his camera towards a battle scene. He claims one of the actors is Sean Bean, goading him on: "Go on Beany! Go on Beany! Slayed him!"

Movie site HeyUGuys says that while Ned's death was "as definitive as it gets, speculation has never ceased that he may be brought back in some form in the HBO series". Bean told the site he was not making a return, pointing out: "I got me head chopped off in the first series." But the actor was not entirely convincing and fans have learned not to trust everything they are told by the Game of Thrones cast and crew.

Tower of Joy and other flashbacks

It has long been rumoured that Castillo de Zafra will be used to represent the Tower of Joy, located in the Red Mountains of Dorne. Many fans believe it will be used for a flashback scene, in which Jon Snow's real lineage is revealed.

The theory is that Jon Snow is not Ned Stark's illegitimate son, but rather the son of Ned's sister Lyanna and Daenerys Targaryen's older brother, Rhaegar. ComicBook.com suggests the flashback might be presented as one of Bran Stark's visions, a gift the Three-Eyed Raven is teaching him to control. Sightings of Isaac Hempstead-Wright, the actor who plays Bran, at the set appear to have confirmed this theory, says the site.

'Battle of the Bastards' rumoured

A long period of shooting has taken place in Saintfield, Northern Ireland, where Game of Thrones has reportedly been filming a huge fight sequence between the Boltons and the wildlings. Sources have told Watchers on the Wall that "several armies are involved with this epic battle". The website concludes that it "may outdo anything we've ever seen on Game of Thrones", although it shies away from calling it the "biggest one of all" as it seems unlikely that dragons will show up just yet.

Police were apparently called in to keep curious fans away from the set. Notices were set up warning drivers against parking or stopping for one mile, and a statement was issued to say: "A decision was taken to deploy officers to a site in the Saintfield area where filming for a popular television show is taking place. The officers are there in order to prevent public order breaches and any possible misuse of drones offences, covered by legislation under Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), whilst filming continues. The costs for the policing operation will be met by the production company."

Return of Shae

"Game Of Thrones bosses seem like they may be regretting killing off so many characters last series," says the Daily Mirror. After the Jon Snow on-set sightings, a fan has reported seeing Sibel Kekilli, the German actress who plays Tyrion Lannister's traitorous lover Shae. Kekilli was photographed alongside Conleth Hill, who plays Lord Varys, and writer David Benioff in the Spanish town of Peniscola, where scenes set in Meereen are filmed. Shae was last seen when Tyrion appeared to strangle her to death – but did she really die?