'Game of Thrones' season 5 spoilers: Rickon Stark to make appearance, but no Bran and Hodor

There have been rumors that Bran and Hodor won't be seen in the upcoming season of "Game of Thrones," but Rickon Stark might.  It is said that the youngest of the Stark brood may reappear to stir things up or to add a bit of comic relief in the show.

Fans will recall that Rickon suddenly disappeared from the series in the third season after his brother Bran decided that it would be safer if they went separate ways.  The boy, under the protection and care of wildling Osha, went into the wild.  He had not been seen or heard from since.

Most of the characters in the book think that Rickon is already dead. However, Wex Pyke will tell Lord Wyman Manderly that Rickon survived, which will start a manhunt for the youngest Stark who had fled to the island of Skagos.

Rumors that Rickon is coming back to the show emerged after reports stated that Isaac Hempstead-Wright, the actor who plays Bran, will take a hiatus from the show. The absence of the Starks will make a season of "Game of Thrones" incomplete. However, Hempstead-Wright hinted that he may appear next season, although he did not elaborate on his role in season 5.

Rickon is not the only member of the house who will return next season. Arya Stark, as confirmed by actress Maisie Williams, will be unrecognizable and will be with a dangerous companion.  One of the plotlines in the new season of "Game of Thrones" is about Arya's life in Braavos after she left Westeros.

Sansa Stark will also be in season 5, but after her change in the last season, fans can only wonder what direction her life will take in the company of Little Finger.  Jon Snow will also be facing a lot of challenges, especially with the events in and on both sides of The Wall.

Meanwhile, nine new characters are set to join the cast of "Game of Thrones" season 5. The production team has not confirmed the roles, and who will play them.

Actor Alexander Siddig is said to be one of the newest additions in the show, and he will take on the role of Doran Martell, Oberyn Martell's older brother and the ruler of Dorne. Oberyn was brutally killed by The Mountain last season after he sided with Tyrion Lannister in his trial. Doran may be seeking revenge for the death of his brother.

The cast and crew are currently filming in Croatia and in other parts of Europe as "Game of Thrones" is due to come back on air in June 2015.