The Games of Thrones cast recently assembled in London in February 2019, and they spoke about the highly-anticipated Season 8 of the worldwide TV series phenomenon. In interviews conducted with several prominent members of the cast, they revealed where their characters will be at the beginning of Game of Thrones Season 8.

These are all based on what the actors have said, so of course, keep in mind that some of these details could be considered spoilers of sorts.

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau / Jaime Lannister

Jaime was last seen at the end of Season 7 getting threatened by Cersei and leaving King’s Landing to join the war against the White Walkers in the North.

Game of Thrones Season 8 might begin either with Jaime on the road to the North or with Jaime already at his destination. The former sounds more interesting but the latter is more likely to happen as there are already other more important events to focus on. Only six episodes this season, remember?

Jerome Flynn / Bronn

Bronn was still at King’s Landing at the end of last season, but with his friend and employer Jaime suddenly gone, what will he do?

Actor Jerome Flynn was a bit more cryptic and playful with where his character will be at the start of Season 8. After everything that they’ve gone through together (fighting dragons and whatnot), Bronn will probably find himself paired up again with Jaime sooner rather than later.

“Anyway, it means Bronn is going to suddenly be like ‘what the?’ and he’s got an interesting choice to make because his employer of the last few years has disappeared on some quest.

It’s an interesting question. He’s left King’s Landing. Will he go after Jaime? How much loyalty does he have? We’ll see how that pans out.”

Gwendoline Christie / Brienne Of Tarth

Brienne will already be in Winterfell at the beginning of Season 8, along with Podrick Payne (Tyrion Lannister’s former Squire). Now that she’s sworn an oath to protect the Stark sisters, she will do anything in her power to help them, particularly that of Sansa and her position as leader of House Stark.

Season 8 will also mark the first-ever meeting between Brienne and Daenerys Targaryen. Who knows how that will go?

Gemma Whelan / Yara Greyjoy

It’s not going to be a pleasant start for Yara, as she will begin Season 8 as a captive of her uncle, Euron Greyjoy. She’s in a ship, leading a fleet consisting of the Golden Company from Braavos (who are part of Cersei’s mysterious plans, whatever they may be).

Here’s what actress Gemma Whelan had to say about what Yara will be doing in Season 8:

“I’m hopeful there’ll be a circularity, in terms of her relationship with her brother and how she has constantly been trying to save him. Does he or doesn’t he step up to help her now she needs it? That would be nice.”

Iain Glen / Ser Jorah Mormont

Ser Jorah is back by the side of Daenerys Targaryen, once again acting as her head of the military and trusted right-hand man. However, he’s still learning to accept his new role now that Tyrion Lannister is also an advisor to Daenerys.

This is what actor Iain Glen had to say about Ser Jorah Mormont’s state of mind in Season 8 compared to past seasons:

“There have been maneuverings around Daenerys about whose role is whose but I think he’s very content where he is. I think he’s shed any sexual passion for her after having been accepted back so completely by her.”

Joe Dempsie / Gendry

Gendry was last seen collapsing outside Eastwatch of the Wall as he is rescued by Ser Davos Seaworth and a bunch of wildlings, successfully passing the warning message that Jon Snow entrusted to him.

At the beginning of Season 8, actor Joe Dempsie says that Gendry will be busy preparing himself for the impending fight against the White Walkers while “also trying not to be annoyed with various other characters.” His words, not mine. Oh, and apparently he’s also lost his trusty old hammer for good.

Jacob Anderson / Grey Worm

Grey Worm will begin Season 8 in Dragonstone castle at Blackwater Bay. Actor Jacob Anderson describes Dragonstone as the Westerosi version of the “Isle of Wight”. For those unfamiliar, it’s a famous real-world island located in England.

Anderson also mentions that the first we see Grey Worm in Season 8 will be him riding on a horse, which is a first for the commander of the Unsullied.

Conleth Hill / Varys

Varys will also be starting Season 8 in Dragonstone, recently arriving there just after the meeting in King’s Landing at the end of Season 7. He’ll be there awaiting instructions on how to proceed.

What’s interesting is that actor Conleth Hill’s revelation that, contrary to what fans might think or assume, Varys doesn’t have an ulterior motive or hidden agenda. He’s doing all this because he’s “good”. Then again, all this might just be a misdirection.

“It’s weird that everybody says that. To me, it’s always been obvious that his motives are for good. That was one of the first notes GRR Martin said to me: ultimately he’s good. That’s all I held on to the whole way through.

It’s very complicated with him because he’s been given a prophecy. We don’t know exactly what was said to him but all the red priestesses and red priests seem to know that he’s involved in some way.

She (Carice Van Houten’s Melisandre) says to me, in our lovely scene together last season [ep 3], which should’ve won a Bafta, clearly, that she has to come back one more time just like me, to die here.”

Carice Van Houten / Melisandre

Melisandre was banished at the end of Season 7, shooed away by Varys. She hasn’t really appeared in any of the promotional material for Season 8 so far but actress Carice Van Houten has confirmed that the former Red Priestess of the Lord of Light will definitely be making an appearance be in Season 8.

“I was banished and… I can take a hint. But I do turn up again – there are people even thinking that I might not be coming back, so I guess that’s a spoiler.”

Liam Cunningham / Ser Davos Seaworth

Actor Liam Cunningham had a lot to say about Ser Davos. He will begin Season 8 at the Wall, preparing to fight against the White Walkers.

“We were all going to fight the enemy. Sansa will not be enamored with Daenerys and she doesn’t trust Jon. They’re all expecting, in a sense, the opposite of what Beric is expecting. If he dies, it was for a reason. With almost everybody else if we die, it’s a loss of everything – the Seven Kingdoms, Westeros, the whole lot.

They’ve got a tiny army against these magical people who are incredibly difficult to kill. It’s Custer’s last stand really, isn’t it? And that’s great – what’s gorgeous about the start of this final season is that before the titles are up, the tension is up.

The audience have an expectation of it. I can imagine the feeling around the globe when they hear that theme tune will be a worldwide rubbing of hands: “Here we go.” People are getting back on the roller coaster.”

Richard Dormer / Beric Dondarrion

Beric Dondarrion will begin Season 8 with Tormund Giantsbane on the Wall, having survived the Wall’s destruction at the hand of the White Walkers. That was already confirmed due to their appearance in the Season 8 trailer.

For the first time, Beric will not be able to come back to life if he dies. That makes him different compared to past seasons. Here’s how that will change him, according to actor Richard Dormer:

“Well, Beric is not easily shaken because he has died six times! He’s seen a lot; he’s been to hell and back. He’s a great warrior: he just goes, “Okay, let’s go get them.” That’s just him, he is fearless.

I think he’s fearless because he knows that as long as he’s alive, he hasn’t served his purpose. He’s a religious man: he knows he would welcome death as long as he knows that when he does die, it will be for a good reason. He’s literally waiting for it.”

Kristofer Hivju / Tormund Giantsbane

As was previously established, Tormund Giantsbane will be with Beric Dondarrion at the beginning of Season 8. In past seasons, Tormund’s goal has always been to run from the White Walkers and survive. Now he’s expected to actually fight them instead.

Here’s how Tormund will be conflicted in Season 8, according to actor Kristofer Hivju:

“From when he was old enough to hear, Tormund has been hearing stories about the White Walkers and the wights. That’s the biggest threat; those are the horror stories of his childhood. Then he teamed up with Mance Rayder who hadn’t been talking about anything else – how can we escape the dead?

So for his whole life, this has been the threat. He tried to get through The Wall to get away from them and to take Castle Black and stuff like that. He missioned up with Jon [Snow] because of the same perspective.

Now the attack is on and now it’s about saving the rest of humanity. The line goes right through the show for Tormund.”

Rory McCann / Ser “The Hound” Clegane

The Hound will begin Season 8 as part of Daenerys’ forces on the way to Winterfell. he’s been mostly alone in past seasons, but now he will have to learn how to work with others. Here’s what actor Rory McCann had to say:

“He’s part of the crew. He’s not the loner any more. He’s maybe found some direction in his life, some meaning. He still hates his brother but overriding all that is that he’s part of a mission.”

John Bradley / Samwell Tarly

Samwell begins Season 8 by realizing that he belongs with Gilly, baby Sam, and Jon Snow at Winterfell, instead of being at the Citadel ultimately doing nothing. As of now, only Samwell, Gilly and Bran knows of Jon Snow’s true Targaryen heritage, which will sure rock the foundations of the show in Season 8.

Hannah Murray / Gilly

According to actress Hannah Murray, Gilly will be interacting with people she would never dream of in past seasons.

“You have interactions between characters you’ve never seen before, particularly with someone like Gilly who comes from this sort of nothing background. She’s a wildling.

She has no place in the political sphere. Yet she’s suddenly interacting with people who are completely out of her social-political sphere. It makes sense for that to be happening because all bets are off anyway.”

The first episode of Game of Thrones Season 8 will debut at the same time as the U.S. at 9am on Monday, 15 April 2019, with a same-day encore at 10pm, exclusively on HBO (Astro Ch 411 / 431 HD), Astro On Demand, Astro GO, and NJOI Now.

In the meantime, check out my breakdown of the latest Game of Thrones Season 8 trailer here.