Those who have gotten wind of the rumors also went the extra mile by saying that since the TV series has already deviated from the books, one major plotline of “The Winds of Winter” shall reportedly feature Stannis Baratheon.
It could be recalled that Stannis Baratheon, played by Stephen Dillane in “Game of Thrones” has been killed off during Season 5 by Brienne of Tarth, played by Gwendoline Christie, after his weary troops were defeated and overran by the army of Ramsay Bolton, played by Iwan Rheon, in his attempt to take Winterfell.
But in the fifth book of Martin’s series entitled “Dance with Dragons,” Stannis Baratheon and her daughter Shireen, played by Kerry Ingram in the TV series, are both alive.
In “Game of Thrones,” Shireen is already dead also in Season 5 after Stannis, on the insistence of Melisandre, played by Carice Van Houten, sacrificed Shireen to the Red God and she was burned alive at the stake.
However, the sacrifice did not help Stannis gain victory against the Boltons just outside of Winterfell.
According to rumors, in the upcoming “The Winds of Winter,” Stannis will win the battle of Winterfell but he will eventually lose to the white walkers and be killed, thus he will not be able to further his dream of putting forth his rightful claim to the Iron Throne and rule the seven kingdoms of Westeros.