New Game of Thrones Season 7 Images Hint at War to Come

Season six of Game of Thrones ended with a brutal war between the always scheming, striving humans of Westeros. What we know about season seven is that winter has officially arrived, which means that the power struggles for the Iron Throne will soon seem very silly when compared to the battle to come. Dany, Jon Snow, Cersei and the rest of our perptually agitated players will face their greatest test in the form of the Night’s King and his undead army. The Iron Throne won't be worth the fused swords its built with if there's no living king or queen to rule from it.

Finally, we have our first real look at the upcoming season, thanks to a cache of images released by HBO. Your usual suspects are here, with a few surprises. Starting with some of the most notable characters, we’ve got Jon Snow and Arya Stark, destined for a reunion (think about how much they have to catch each other up on). You’ve got poor Meera, still hauling Bran through the dead lands north of the Wall. Then there’s Jaime and Cersei, holding on to the Iron Throne and ready to kill all their enemies. With Stannis gone, the always competent Davos will likely play a key role in the coming events, as will the perpetually shady Petyr Baelish, seen here riding Sansa Stark’s hip in what we hope will be the moments before she finally does him in. We’ve also got Tormund Giantsbane, grinning at his love interest, Brienne of Tarth. Then there's Sam and Gilly at the Citadel, beginning yet another new chapter in their lives.

Season 7 (2017): Kit Harington. photo: Helen Sloan/courtesy of HBO

Season 7 (2017): Maisie Williams. photo: Helen Sloan/courtesy of HBO​

Season 7 (2017): Ellie Kendrick, Isaac Hempstead Wright. photo: Helen Sloan/courtesy of HBO​

Season 7 (2017): Lena Headey, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau. photo: Helen Sloan/courtesy of HBO​

Season 7 (2017): Liam Cunningham. photo: Helen Sloan/courtesy of HBO​

Season 7 (2017): Aiden Gillen, Sophie Turner. photo: Helen Sloan/courtesy of HBO​

Season 7 (2017): Kristofer Hivju, Gwendoline Christie. photo: Helen Sloan/courtesy of HBO​.

Season 7 (2017): John Bradley, Hannah Murray. photo: Helen Sloan/courtesy of HBO​

We also get a good look at perhaps the bigest mover and shaker of them all, Daenerys, and her closest advisors: Tyrion Lannister, Missandei, Varys, and Grey Worm, all sporting a new look as they prepare for the colder climes of King’s Landing. 

Season 7 (2017): Nathalie Emmanuel, Peter Dinklage, Conleth Hill, Emilia Clarke, Jacob Anderson. photo: Macall B. Polay/courtesy of HBO

The more surprising of the images remind us of characters we lost track of towards the end of season 6’s wild ride. They are The Hound (Sandor Clegane), riding with the Brotherhood Without Banners, and the diminutive powerhouse Lyanna Mormont, who might end up becoming even more of a power player in the coming season, despite her youth.

Season 7 (2017): Rory McCann. photo: Helen Sloan/courtesy of HBO

Season 7 (2017): Bella Ramsey. photo: Helen Sloan/courtesy of HBO​

Game of Thrones season 7 is set to premiere on July 16, 2017.

Featured image: Season 7 (2017): Emilia Clarke,. Photo: Helen Sloan/courtesy of HBO​