As season six of Game of Thrones films in Ireland and Spain, fans are in a frenzy over new hints that Jon Snow could be returning from the dead.

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Actor Kit Harington, whose character was killed off by his friends in the last episode of season five, has more or less confirmed the show is still a part of his life.

“Let’s just say that Game of Thrones will remain a part of my life for a while, I’ll probably be in my thirties when it’s over,” Harington told Belgian entertainment magazine Humo.

This could mean Harington is merely on contract in case there’s a need for flashback scenes, but it’s certainly an interesting development.

The raven-haired actor has also been spotted filming a Thrones-esque battle scene and there is photographic evidence of him spending time with his fellow castmates near the set of the popular HBO show.

this is a photo of kit harrington and iwon rheon in belfast tonight. you’re welcome. jon snow is indeed ALIVE pic.twitter.com/ulrj8hCKc3

— pádraig (@savedolphinss) September 9, 2015

SPOILER ALERT : Kit Harington, who plays Jon Snow, has been spotted in Belfast where a ‘huge battle’ is currently being filmed for GOT 6

— Ammar (@Ammar7ag) September 11, 2015

While the director of the series, David Nutter, has said Snow is “definitely dead” there are signs he will return. And he won’t be the only one making a comeback.

Leaked photos, scripts, character calls and auditions are all tantalising fans clamouring for details about the next exciting instalment of the series, based on George R.R. Martin’s novels, which is due to hit TV screens in April 2016.

Here’s who’s dead, alive, revived and on the loose in season six:

Familiar faces returning

Jon Snow

After members of the Night’s Watch took turns stabbing him in the back (literally and figuratively) at the end of season five, one of the biggest unanswered questions is whether Ned Stark’s bastard son will be brought back to life. If the rumours are anything to go by – the answer is yes.

Fans point to the fact actor Harington has kept his Jon Snow hairstyle and was recently photographed at Belfast airport (Belfast is where part of the series is being filmed) as evidence he’s not done with the show yet. Plus, there are unsubstantiated rumours Harington was present for the filming of a giant battle scene.

Sandor Clegane aka The Hound

Though he was left to die by travelling companion Arya Stark, The Hound is also rumoured to be returning. Actor Rory McCann has been spotted around Belfast leading fans to speculate he may have clung to life after all.

Ned Stark

Okay, so he’s not exactly returning from the dead per se but he is going to be part of some flashback moments in the series.

The part won’t be reprised by Sean Bean, rather teen actor Sebastian Croft will take on the role of a young Ned Stark.

Here’s where we left The Hound.

New characters joining the cast

Samwell Tarly’s family

Samwell is possibly the nicest member of the Night’s Watch and yet the first crow to kill a White Walker. Now we’ll get to know his entire family, with his father, mother, brother and sister all making an appearance in series six, according to reports. One of the characters has already been cast with Freddie Stroma to take on the role of Sam’s younger brother.

Rumour has it that Ian McShane (best known for his role as a ruthless businessman in Deadwood) will take on the role of Sam’s father. If it’s true, it’s interesting casting for the unhappy dad who dropped Sam off to the Night’s Watch to get him to ‘man up’.

The Three-Eyed Raven

Max von Sydow is playing the wizardly Three-Eyed Raven who follows Brandon Stark around the countryside. Von Sydow is also appearing in the next episode of the Star Wars franchise.

Actor John Bradley-West plays Samwell Tarly in Game of Thrones. Photo: Getty

Mysterious newcomers

Richard E. Grant

The rumours are that Grant plays the leader of a travelling troupe of actors from Braavos that performs a controversial and politically motivated play called “The Bloody Hand”.

Essie Davis

The Australian star of The Matrix and Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries is also rumoured to be playing an actress in the same troupe of actors as Grant. Photos show her playing the role of Cersei Lannister in “The Bloody Hand”.

Tehmina Sunny

Sunny could possibly take on the role of a new Red Priestess – joining other scheming priestess Melisandre – after an audition tape was leaked in June. No word on any further sightings of her on the series as yet.

Returning characters

The Lannisters

Cersei – Stripped naked and spat on in a penance walk after confessing some of her (many) sins to the High Septon, Cersei has a score to settle.

Jaime – Will no doubt be looking to avenge his daughter Myrcella’s death.

Tyrion – He’s offered his leadership mentoring services to Daenerys Targaryen and will likely be working closely with her.

Tommen – The only surviving child of Cersei and her brother Jaime – he is still King of the Andals. For now.

The Starks

Bran – Still wandering the woodlands with Hodor but his storyline is about to get interesting.

Sansa – Having escaped the clutches of the evil Ramsay Bolton with friend Theon Greyjoy, Sansa’s luck hopefully improves this season.

Arya – Blinded at the end of series five for violating the assassin’s code, Arya has to make good with the Faceless Men in Braavos.

The others

Brienne of Tarth – Continues on her quest to protect the remaining Stark children.

Petyr Baelish aka Littlefinger – His schemes should see some interesting storylines in the next season.

Daenerys Targaryen – The mother of dragons and conquering Queen of Meereen will no doubt be off on another adventure given we last saw her flying away with her dragon to avoid being assassinated only to be surrounded by a tribe of Dothraki.

Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones. Photo: Getty

Who’s not coming back?

Stannis Baratheon

Stannis was killed in battle in the last series after his daughter was burned at the stake and his wife hanged herself. “From the very beginning, and [through] the script process, that was the intent – he’s dead,” the episode’s director David Nutter revealed at Comic-Con earlier this year.

Myrcella Baratheon

Poisoned by tough mother of Dorne Ellaria Sand, Myrcella was happily returning to Westeros when she died.