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Bran Is Back and All Grown Up: Game of Thrones' Isaac Hempstead Wright Previews His Big Return

Exclusive: HBO fans might not recognize Isaac after he sat out season five...and grew up a lot

By Tierney Bricker Apr 12, 2016 5:00 PMTags
Watch: "GoT" Star Isaac Hempstead Wright Previews Big Return

They grow up so fast, don't they? And by they, we obviously mean the Stark children on Game of Thrones.

Since the HBO fantasy hit premiered in 2011, we've watched the extremely talented child actors grow into extremely talented young adults, including Sophie Turner (Sansa), Maisie Williams (Arya) and Isaac Hempstead Wright—but fans might not recognize the latter when season six premiered on April 24, as the actor has grown A LOT in the year his character, Bran, sat out of the Westeros action. 

"It's nice!" Wright told E! News' Erin Lim on being back on GOT at the Los Angeles premiere on Sunday. "I really missed the set. We're such a tight-knit family. I really, really felt the year off, but it's good to be back."

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And because he sat season five out, he had no idea Jon Snow (Kit Harington), his on-screen half-bro, would be dying in the finale. Ouch.

"I had no clue. It was quite a shock," he admitted. "I was devastated, like everyone. It was a really bold move to make...But that's what's so great about Thrones; they're not afraid to kill the person we all we really don't want them to kill. It was sad, but it felt like a smart move, I guess."

Also a smart move? Having Bran return like a total badass, with his warg training with the Three-Eyed Raven and the Children of the Forest officially complete.

"He's had a whole season off where he's been training his magical powers," Wright previewed. "He can do some really cool things with it them. He can see certain things in the past, which I really enjoyed filming and I think everyone will enjoy watching."

Forget winter, flashbacks are coming! To hear more season six scoop from Wright, press play on our interview with him above. 

Game of Thrones returns Sunday, April 24 on HBO.