'Game of Thrones' season 6 news: Stannis not coming back?

Stephen Dillane as Stannis BaratheonHBO

One of the remaining mysteries that will be answered in "Game of Thrones" season 6 is the fate of King Stannis Baratheon (Stephen Dillane). He was last seen severely wounded and was eventually found by Brienne (Gwendoline Christie), at which she attacked him. According to Cinema Blend, there is a very high chance he is dead.

George R.R. Martin explained that in the books, which the series is based on, Stannis is indeed still alive and well but that doesn't automatically mean he will survive in the television series. The books and the series are separate entities and should be treated as such.

According to the report, the book "The Noble Houses of Westeros," which is a tie-in to the series and not the official book series, has one section dedicated to Stannis Baratheon. In this section, it is described that Stannis did die in the hands of Brienne.

The report also points back to several quotes from the cast from last July. Christie confirmed in an interview with E! Online that her character did kill Stannis, and director David Nutter echoed this statement in an interview with Entertainment Weekly where it was clearly stated in the script that Stannis dies.

Cinema Blend also points out that actor Stephen Dillane has not been seen on the set for season 6 ever since production began, clearly indicating that his character is indeed out of the picture. However, it is very likely that there may be at least one scene showing Brienne and Stannis's corpse in the aftermath of the season 5 finale.

However, if a corpse is to be shown, it is possible that the production studios may use a prop to show Stannis's severed head instead of requiring the actor to come in and portray himself one last time.

"Game of Thrones" season 6 will premiere this April.