It will take a long time until HBO's epic drama series "Game of Thrones" returns to television, and fans are already coming up with their own theories on how season 8 will unfold. In the past seasons, the viewers were shocked to see the main characters ending up dead, but this time around, the big surprise could be the deceased returning from the afterlife.

As reported by Express UK, the rumors are rife that "Game of Thrones" season 8 will feature the comeback of departed fan-favorites. For one, there are speculations that actor Charles Dance, who played the Lord of House Lannister, Tywin, is set to return on the show after four years. To recall, Dance's character was shot through the heart by his own son, Tyrion (Peter Dinklage).

Dance expressed his willingness to return to "Game of Thrones," although it does not seem likely at this point that Tywin Lannister will make an appearance in season 8. Instead, the character could be seen once again in the rumored "GoT" spin-off series. HBO executives have been talking about the possibility of doing a spin-off for quite some time. If ever this happens, the show could serve as a prequel, meaning that Tywin could appear alive and well in it.

To answer the queries if he would portray his role in a possible prequel, Dance said that he would be willing to take it "if it was in the same caliber" as the original series, giving high praises to the fantastic storytelling of "Game of Thrones."

Another dead character rumored to return in season 8 is "Justice League" star Jason Momoa, who previously played the role of Dothraki warlord, Khal Drogo. Recent reports reveal that Momoa was hanging out with the current cast members of "Game of Thrones" near the set location for the eighth season. These include Kit Harington, who plays Jon Snow, and Liam Cunningham, also known by the fans as Davos Seaworthy. In another occasion, Momoa was spotted meeting with Kristofer Hivju, who plays the wildling, Tormund Giantsbane. However, it is unclear if the actor was simply visiting the set to meet his former workmates, or if Khal Drogo will make a surprise participation in season 8.

Meanwhile, actress Ellie Kendrick revealed in an interview with Metro that the return of her character in "Game of Thrones" season 8 is no longer expected. Kendrick portrayed Meera, the one who helped Bran in his journey to the Three-Eyed Raven and back home to Winterfell.

"I wait for the phone to ring and then I find out, but it hasn't rung so I don't know. I'll find out whether I am or not at some point, but for now I haven't been notified so I'm yet to discover," Kendrick stated.

With Meera not returning in the show, this will shut down another popular "Game of Thrones" fan theory that links him to Jon Snow, who is revealed in season 7 as the legitimate son of Rhaegar Targaryen with Lyanna Stark. As far as the theory goes, Meera is actually Jon Snow's twin, who was found by Howland Reed in the Tower of Joy.

"Game of Thrones" season 8 will premiere in 2019.