‘Game of Thrones’ Season 7: Everything We Know So Far

Season 7 of Game of Thrones will see worlds collide, as Daenerys Targaryen arrives in Westeros to stake a claim to the Iron Throne. She’ll have to wrest it from Cersei Lannister’s cold, scheming fingers, though. And then there are the Starks, who have finally returned to and regained their family seat in Winterfell. Of course, the greatest threat of all is waiting on the other side of the Wall — the Night King and his army of white walkers.

As viewers count down the days until the HBO drama’s seventh-season premiere on July 16, Yahoo TV is launching our official countdown: #GoTIsComing. Check back here every day as we give updates on all of your favorite characters, details on an important new location, and a travel guide to the locations of Westeros. So, pull on a thick coat and get ready for a long and brutal winter.

——————–

Winter isn’t just coming — in Season 7 of Game of Thrones, winter is here and it is terrifying.

It’s been a long year since HBO’s fantasy epic was last on our screens. The Season 6 finale set up a major clash: Daenerys Targaryen sailing to invade Westeros; Cersei Lannister taking the Iron Throne after the suicide of her son; and Jon Snow and Sansa Stark taking control of the North.

In all of the interviews so far, showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss and cast members have teased a faster pace, character meetings and reunions, and dragons the size of 747s.

“For a long time we’ve been talking about ‘the wars to come,’” Benioff told Entertainment Weekly. “That war is pretty much here.”

Here’s everything we know about Season 7 so far.

Premiere Date

July 16 at 9 p.m. on HBO

Episodes

Season 7 consists of just seven episodes, versus the usual 10.

Episode 1, “Dragonstone”: 59 minutes, directed by Jeremy Podeswa (directed “Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken,” “Home”)
* Jon organizes the defense of the North. Cersei tries to even the odds. Daenerys comes home.

Episode 2, “Stormborn”: 59 minutes, directed by Mark Mylod (directed “The Broken Man,” “No One”)
* Daenerys receives an unexpected visitor. Jon faces a revolt. Tyrion plans the conquest of Westeros.

Episode 3, “The Queen’s Justice”: 63 minutes, directed by Mark Mylod
Daenerys holds court. Cersei returns a gift. Jaime learns from his mistakes.

Episode 4: 50 minutes, directed by Matt Shakman (new to Game of Thrones)
Episode 5: 59 minutes, directed by Matt Shakman
Episode 6: 71 minutes, directed by Alan Taylor (directed “Baelor,” “Valar Morghulis”)
Episode 7: 81 minutes, directed by Jeremy Podeswa

Cast

Along with stars Emilia Clarke, Kit Harington, Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey, and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Season 7 introduces at least three new cast members:
* Jim Broadbent as an archmaester in the Citadel
* Tom Hopper as a recast Dickon Tarly (previously played by Freddie Stroma)
* Joseph Quinn as Koner, a non-books character

Mark Gatiss confirmed he is returning as Iron Bank executive Tycho Nestoris.

Iain Glen (Jorah Mormont) and Joseph Mawles (Benjen Stark) were seen at dinner with Kristofer Hivju (Tormund Giantsbane) and fans in Belfast.

Joe Dempsie was spotted at a Belfast airport, which means Gendry finally stops rowing that damn boat this season.

As for cameos, singer Ed Sheeran serenades Arya Stark in a scene. Rock band Bastille were rumored to appear, though they have denied it. And Mastodon guitarist Brent Hinds is returning, this time as a White Walker

Photos

All of the images released so far, by HBO and some international partners, seem to come from the first couple of episodes and revolve around these storylines:

* Daenerys and crew arriving at Dragonstone, the place of her birth

* Jon and Sansa shoring up support among Northern lords

* Cersei and Jaime plotting against their enemies

* Arya on horseback, journeying somewhere (likely Winterfell)

* Sam and Gilly reading tomes in the Citadel

* Beric Dondarrion, the Hound, and Brotherhood Without Banners traveling northward

* Bran Stark traveling south, toward the Wall

Trailers

First trailer

Second trailer

Game of Thrones Season 7 premieres Sunday, July 16 at 9 p.m. on HBO.

Read more from Yahoo TV:

• ‘Twin Peaks’: Your Guide to the Story So Far

• Happy 28th Birthday, ‘Seinfeld’! 5 Things You Forgot About the Pilot

• Review: FX’s Drug Epic ‘Snowfall’ Looks Great, But Doesn’t Always Resonate