HBO Releases First Details on Game of Thrones Season Six Premiere

Take this with a full shaker of salt, but it appears HBO has finally fessed up as to whether Jon Snow (Kit Harington) is actually dead.

Yesterday, the network released plot details for its highly anticipated (and heavily guarded) season six premiere episode, titled “The Red Woman.” In the episode description, HBO wastes no time beating around a (very dead) bush by letting viewers know that “Jon Snow is dead.”

Well, at least they ripped that band-aid off quickly. Luckily, Snow’s fate isn’t the only thing we can learn about the long-awaited episode. The rest of the succinct plot summary shares that “The Red Woman” will see Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) meet a strong man, while Cersei (Lena Headey) will see her daughter once again.

HBO’s full season six set-up reveals quite a bit more:

Following the shocking developments at the conclusion of season five, includingJon Snow’s bloody fate at the hands of Castle Black mutineers, Daenerys’ near-demise at the fighting pits of Meereen, and Cersei’s public humiliation in the streets of King’s Landing, survivors from all parts of Westeros and Essos regroup to press forward, inexorably, towards their uncertain individual fates. Familiar faces will forge new alliances to bolster their strategic chances at survival, while new characters will emerge to challenge the balance of power in the east, west, north and south.

While Snow’s death appeared definitive, the premiere episode title’s reference to the priestess and follower of the Lord of Light Melisandre (Carice van Houten) suggests what is possible for Snow—namely, his resurrection at the Red Priestess’ hands—especially when you take into account the on-set photos that captured Harington’s presence.

Or it could just be HBO toying with Game of Thrones fans. Because who doesn’t like watching intensely dedicated TV lovers becoming hyper-paranoid and spiralling out of control?

Game of Thrones returns on April 24 at 9 p.m. EST. Watch the sixth season trailer here.