In Slaver's Bay, Daenerys Targaryen's attempt to liberate Meereen has resulted in massive bloodshed, with the former slave masters conspiring to retake the city. Her training continues, as now the blind little girl must learn to rely on her other senses to survive.
In Dorne, Ellaria Sand's poisoning of Cersei's daughter, the Princess Myrcella, may now force Doran Martell into the war against the Iron Throne he has been fervently trying to avoid.Īcross the Narrow Sea, in the Free City of Braavos, Arya Stark killed Meryn Trant without the Faceless Men's permission - but without the proper training, the use of one of their masks has poisoned her and rendered her blind. The Lannisters and their Frey allies cannot let the siege of Riverrun continue to drag on if they are ever to claim real control over central Westeros. Riverrun's garrison may be surrounded and alone, fighting for a dead king, but their defenses are formidable, they have enough food supplies to last for years, and their commander is one of the most experienced and skilled generals in Westeros. The garrison is under the command of Robb Stark's great-uncle Brynden "The Blackfish" Tully, and is the last bastion of Robb's short-lived independent kingdom that remains unconquered. In the Riverlands, after the Red Wedding the remaining Tully forces (who were not present at the massacre of their Northern allies) pulled back to Riverrun castle - where they have been hopelessly besieged by House Frey's army ever since. Brienne of Tarth, who executed Stannis, must now deal with the consequences of putting her vow to avenge King Renly before her oath to protect Sansa.
In the North, the Boltons have triumphed over King Stannis - but in the distraction, Sansa Stark and Theon Greyjoy have escaped, desperately jumping off Winterfell's castle walls. Cersei meanwhile, though seemingly humbled, still has a few schemes she will attempt to play to regain control. The Lannisters and Tyrells on Kevan's small council maintain a shaky truce as they attempt to deal with the ongoing debt crisis to the Iron Bank of Braavos, as well as the rise of the fanatical Faith Militant due to Cersei's blunders. Kevan and Pycelle must attempt to mend the damage Cersei did to the Lannister- Tyrell alliance. Even though Cersei has been released to their custody, her inept leadership nearly destroyed House Lannister's hold on the throne and they have no intention of ever letting her wield power again. Even Grand Maester Pycelle has abandoned her, and called her uncle, Ser Kevan Lannister, to rule as the new Hand of the King.
In King's Landing, Queen Cersei Lannister has been publicly shamed by the Faith of the Seven and awaits her trial for regicide and incest. Westeros braces for a winter which may become a new Long Night, as the White Walkers and their army of the dead are poised to strike against the Wall and the realms of men. With Theon considered dead and the rest of Westeros locked in a power struggle, the Greyjoys plan their next move.īran Stark continues to hone his powers in greensight, under the tutelage of the Three-Eyed Raven. Samwell Tarly is sent by Jon Snow on a journey to the Citadel in Oldtown (accompanied by Gilly), to become a maester and find a way to defeat the White Walkers. Sansa Stark and Theon Greyjoy escape from Winterfell.ĭespite their victory over Stannis Baratheon, Roose and Ramsay's hold on the North is weakened by Sansa's escape.īrynden "The Blackfish" Tully continues to hold Riverrun against the Lannisters in Robb Stark's name.Įllaria Sand's poisoning of Myrcella Baratheon will have consequences.Īrya Stark is blinded for the unsanctioned killing of Meryn Trant using a Faceless Men disguise.ĭespite escaping Meereen alive, Daenerys is captured by a Dothraki khalasar.ĭespite his efforts to counter the coming White Walkers, Lord Commander Jon Snow has been betrayed and stabbed to death by his own men. Though Cersei has been shamed and humbled by the Faith of the Seven, she is not ready to give up just yet. Season 6 is mostly based on the hitherto unreleased sixth novel of the A Song of Ice and Fire series, The Winds of Winter, along with a significant amount of material from the fourth and fifth books, A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons, which run concurrently but follow different sets of characters. Weiss returned as executive producers and showrunners for both seasons five and six, having signed a new two-year contract with HBO in early 2014.
It began filming in late July 2015 and concluded on December 17, 2015. The fifth and sixth seasons were commissioned simultaneously, the first time HBO has done so for a major drama series. The sixth season of Game of Thrones was formally commissioned by HBO on April 8, 2014, following a substantial increase in audience figures between the third and fourth seasons.