BLACKBURN-born film and TV star Ian McShane is to join the cast of HBO’s Game of Thrones for season six, it has been reported.

McShane, best known in the UK for his role as TV antiques dealer Lovejoy, will join one of the world’s biggest hit shows.

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He has also had roles in movies including Kung Fu Panda, Shrek the Third and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, as well as a recent part in Showtime TV series Ray Donovan.

It is not known which character McShane will play, but Entertainment Weekly, which broke the story, said: “Sources say McShane has a relatively small amount of screen time during the season, yet his character is of key importance”.

Last week, an HBO executive said the show is likely to continue for another three seasons.

Michael Lombardo, president of HBO programming, said he would also be open to a prequel to the story of the epic battle for the Iron Throne in the fictional kingdom of Westeros, based on George RR Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire books.

He also defended its graphic depictions of rape and violence as part of the story.