‘Game of Thrones’ Season 7 Spoilers: Iain Glen, Kristofer Hivju Photographed with Joseph Mawle Hinting at Benjen Stark a.k.a. Coldhands’ Return

‘Game of Thrones’ season 7 actors Iain Glen and Kristofer Hivju were spotted celebrating holiday festivities in Belfast and were photographed together with Joseph Mawle. Mawle’s appearance on the filming set in Belfast hinted at his character Benjen Stark a.k.a. Coldhands’ return in the incoming season.

According to Express, a new image hinted at the return of Joseph Mawle Benjen Stark a.k.a. Coldhands’ return for season 7 after the actor was photograph together with fans and co-stars Iain Glen, and Kristofer Hivju, who play Ser Jorah Mormont and Tormund respectively.

The photograph was taken in Belfast, one of the filming locations for the incoming season. The three actors were spotted celebrating the Christmas holidays. Mawle’s character was first introduced in season 1’s premiere episode of the fantasy-drama television series.

Benjen, the First Ranger of the Night’s Watch traveled South of the Wall to join the feast that welcomed King Robert Baratheon (Mark Addy) and his family to Winterfell. There, he invited his nephew Jon Snow (Kit Harington) to join the Night’s Watch to which Jon agrees despite warnings of a hard life.

Upon returning to Castle Black, Benjen reveals to Jon that he was going North of the Wall on a ranging. Although Jon volunteers to accompany his uncle, Benjen declines the offer saying that he was unprepared for what lies ahead and must continue his training. The two make their farewells and Benjen is never seen nor heard from again until he reappears in season 6.

In season 6, Benjen made his grand return to the series as a mysterious hooded man who saved Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead Wright) and Meera Reed (Ellie Kendrick) fight off an army of wights. After revealing his true identity, he explained that he was attacked by White Walkers and left for dead until he was discovered by the Children of the Forest, who stopped him from turning into a wight by shoving a piece of dragonglass into his chest.

According to the Daily Star, Benjen was last seen helping Bran and Meera return to the Wall before disappearing once more in season 6’s episode 10, titled “The Winds of Winter.” It seems that the character will cross paths with Jorah and Tormund in season 7.

Meanwhile, Glen opened up bout season 7 during a recent interview saying, "They are taking the length of time it takes to shoot ten episodes to shoot just seven this year and six next year… There are fifteen more hours left in Thrones as we understand it, but that may change, but that's as far as we know."

Iain continued, "I think the scale and size of the set pieces, the world that is being created it's just getting more and more extraordinary and they feel they need that time to shoot seven hours as opposed to 10."

‘Game of Thrones’ season 7 is expected to premiere on HBO sometime in summer 2017.