Gods know when Game of Thrones will return to deliver our final six episodes, but production is nonetheless on the march. Star Emilia Clarke confirms as much with a curious change to Daenerys’ look for the final episodes, so let’s get to speculatin’.

Clarke shared an Instagram post of getting her hair in Khaleesi shape for the final episodes, which star Nikolaj Coster-Waldau pointed out were likely to start filming in October. As Vanity Fair points out, it’s unusual of Clarke to actually dye her hair for the role, compared with the usual elaborate braids and wigs of Seasons 1-7, so there might be some reason Daenerys’ hair needs to appear more naturally free-flowing (or short?) on-camera:

For what it’s worth, Season 8 has also begun casting a few new roles as well, with recent descriptions searching for – wait for it – a “Northern girl” and a “boy” (via WatchersontheWall)

The first role we’ve learned about is for a Northern Girl. The character will be around age 8, but they are open to seeing actresses older than this, up to age 10. The role is described as being a straight-talking Northern-accented girl, someone remarkable for her dauntlessness and integrity. According to the write-up, she’s been brought up in a family of soldiers and shares their fearlessness. The part is said to be a “very nice stand-out part for a strong-minded young girl with a fighting spirit.”

Game of Thrones is also searching for a Boy aged 8 – 12, with a physically fit and agile look, someone with a good, distinctive face. He’s described as being from a poor background, a boy who has to fight to make his way in the world. The description we saw mentions that they need an actor who can “completely own the scenes that he appears in,” hinting at multiple scenes.

Elsewhere of Season 8, we know production will reportedly film multiple endings to guard against leaks and hacks, but it remains unknown if the final episodes will debut in 2018 or 2019. In the meantime, we’ll keep laser-focused on Emilia’s hair, as with Jon Snow before it.

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