Dame Of Thrones: Is Angela Lansbury Set To Join 'Game Of Thrones' Season 7?

Winter is coming, and as we prepare for hibernation and throw on our faux furs, we continue the annual agonising wait for the next season of Game of Thrones. We need something to tide us over, so amidst spoilers and set pics comes the inevitable swell of casting news - and boy do we have a doozy for you. The latest news out of the rumor mill is that legendary actress Angela Lansbury is set to cross the narrow sea to join HBO's bloody saga. German website Bild reports that the actress is in talks for four days of filming for a two episode stint next year. Is the the 90-year-old set to swap Bedknobs and Broomsticks for Bravos and bastards?

Game of Thrones has a knack for casting some rather famous faces. From Charles Dance to Ian McShane, Max Von Sydow to Dame Diana Rigg - Thrones is a veritable smorgasbord of talent. Who can imagine Lansbury locking horns with Rigg's formidable 'Queen of Thorns'? Whilst the world of George R.R. Martin spans an impressive five (with a sixth in the works) books, the show has already overtaken its source material - begging the question, just who could Lansbury be cast as in Season 7? With more deaths than an episode of Murder, She Wrote, here is our shortlist of who the former Jessica Fletcher could be playing.

1. Maggy The Frog

Undoubtedly S7 is going to focus on the aftermath of Cersei 'Mad Queen' Lannister's reign of fire on the capital, meaning that her past is sure to catch up with her. For those unfamiliar, Maggy the Frog was a witch who predicted the rise and fall of Cersei Lannister with a damning prophecy. Appearing in the show's fifth season, played by Jodhi May, Maggy prophecizedthat the Valanquor (little brother) would choke the life from Cersei. There is no smoke without fire, and with the rest of Maggy's words coming true, Jaime Lannister is now fan favourite to choke his sister/lover to death. As for Maggy - her and Cersei didn't exactly leave on good terms as Cersei threw a jar of potion at Maggy. Doing a runner, Maggy cursed the young princess to heed her words. Now, if you had prophesied the fall of Cersei, would you not at stick around to see it come true, for the sweet taste of just desserts? If you aren't convinced of sweet old Ange playing an evil witch, think Miranda Richardson in Sleepy Hollow.

2. Alannys Harlaw

One of Season 6's biggest disappointment was the introduction of Pilou Asbæk's Euron Greyjoy. Asbæk's casting of the famed Greyjoy brother and pirate king promised a triumphant return to the Iron Islands. Sadly Euron's small episode stint left us feeling damper than a pair of Reek's pants. The introduction of the Greyjoy matriarch could once again stoke the flames of family feuds, as Alannys Harlaw/Greyjoy has been conspicuously absent from the show. Following the death of her two sons (and presumed death of Theon) in the books, Alannys retired to her family seat on the island of Harlaw, where she currently resides in the Ten Towers. The books describe Alannys as fierce with a strong face, but laughter in her eyes - since her family loss, Asha/Yara Greyjoy says that her mother's eyes are dimly lit and cloudy. The Greyjoy kids are now firmly at the side of Queen Daenerys, but what about a family reunion? As Euron hunts for his niece and nephew, perhaps he could pop in and see his sister-in-law?

3. Anya Waynwood

Yes, we know the character has already appeared in GoT, but in a show that is notorious for recasting roles (how many Gregor Cleganes are we on now?), this could be the perfect role for Ange. Played by Paola Dionisotti in Season 4's "The Mountain and the Viper", Waynwood decided the fate of Sansa Stark after the 'suicide' of Lysa Arryn. We have already seen the return of Rupert Vansittart's Yohn Royce, but there has been no sign of Dionisotti since. Waynwood is described as a woman of nobility and of age, so a tick on both accounts there. With Petyr Bealish firmly on Team Sansa, it would only make sense that we once again return to the Vale to drum up further support for her claim to the North. Currently it is Lord Robin who in charge of the Vale - not exactly a loyal claim, so expect the supporters of both Baelish and Sansa to return. Season 7 would be a logical time to bring back Waynwood.

4. Genna Lannister

The most popular theory doing the rounds is that Lansbury would be heading up another side of the corrupt Lannister tree. We have already met Tywin (R.I.P.) Lancel (R.I.P.), Kevin (R.I.P.) and heard of Joanna (R.I.P.), but things are currently a little 'Stark' in the house of lions - how about we up the numbers? A powerful woman who found herself in Jaime Lannister's war council, Genna Lannister draws parallels with Cersei herself, refusing to use her married name and raising more than a few questions over the parentage of her children. Genna has managed to outlive her brothers Tywin and Kevan. After the death of their mother, Genna served as a maternal figure to both Cersei and Jaime Lannister, whilst also being one of the few people to recognise the political powers of little Tyrion Lannister. What also ties Genna nicely into current events is that she was married into the Frey family - all whom met their makers at the tail end of last season. Admittedly both Kevan and Tywin are said to be older than Genna, but we are willing to let the age gap slide just to have Angela on board!

Lansbury enters the fray alongside Harry Potter's Jim Broadbent, who is said to be playing a "significant" role next season. The usual cast of Kit Harington and Emilia Clarke will be returning, but as the new additions come thick and fast, we can't wait to see if any other acting gliteratti will be joining the ranks. If Lansbury really is joining the show, who do you think it will be as? Team Dany already has Olenna Tyrell, so we can see Lansbury as the battle-axe Genna Lannister. Who needs Cleganebowl when we can have Damebowl? Coming next: casting news for S8...Betty White is joining!