‘Game Of Thrones’: George R.R. Martin Confirms One Of The Season 5 Finale Casualties Is Still Alive — Maybe

Since the season 5 finale of HBO’s Game of Thrones, talk has concentrated on whether certain characters were actually dead or not. One character in particular has caused an internet storm every time he makes an appearance in real life. There is, however, another character whose death was just as ambiguous in the finale.

WARNING: This article contains potential spoilers about both the book and television series of Game of Thrones. If you are not up to date with both, please proceed with caution.

While most of the Game of Thrones fanbase has been busy on the internet since the season 5 finale trying to work out if Jon Snow (played by Kit Harington) is really dead or whether it is plausible for him to return from the dead, there has been another character who also seemed to die. Stannis Baratheon (Stephen Dillane) appeared to be killed by Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie). Yet, when the scene was broken down, fans did not actually witness Stannis dying. While many fans are hoping Stannis is dead, there is the possibility he will survive to see season 6 of Game of Thrones. Especially since George R.R. Martin has just confirmed that Stannis Baratheon is still alive after a fan on his blog asked about the character.

Gwendoline Christie did confirm her character killed Stannis in the season 5 finale of Game of Thrones by replying “What did you think I was doing, giving him a haircut?” when asked by E! Online at the San Diego Comic Con earlier this year. However, it seems George R.R. Martin has superseded her answer. Or has he?

After all, George R.R. Martin states that Stannis is alive in the books. So will he actually make it to season 6 of the TV series alive? As the Sydney Morning Herald pointed out, perhaps George R.R. Martin is only talking about the books that are already published? If so, then, yes, Stannis Baratheon is, potentially, still alive. If this is the case, then George has just dropped a major spoiler for the currently unpublished book six in the series. The Sydney Morning Herald also points out, however, that even if Stannis Baratheon survives in the book series, it doesn’t mean his life is guaranteed in the television series.

As per usual, fans can discuss Stannis Baratheon’s fate all they like, but whether he survives into season 6 of Game of Thrones will only truly be known when the series returns next year.

Game of Thrones returns for season 6 on HBO in 2016.

What do you think, is Stannis Baratheon alive or dead in season 6 of Game of Thrones? Let us know by commenting below.

[Image credits: HBO Inc. / George R. R. Martin / Not A Blog]