Game of Thrones season six: first-look images hint at what's ahead - but no Jon Snow

If you're a Game of Thrones fan, however, then do not read any further: this story contains seriously big spoilers.

The US studio HBO has unveiled a set of new images from the highly-anticipated sixth season of the show, among them images which reveal that some characters whose lives were left dangling in the season five finale will live to fight another day.

When last seen, Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) and Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen) had jumped from a high wall in Winterfell, the former seat of power for House Stark.

Among the new images, however, are shots of Sansa and Theon, effectively confirming that they survive the fall.

Less certain is the fate of Jon Snow (Kit Harington), the bastard son of Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell. Snow was murdered by the Night Watch in the season finale.

Speculation about whether or not he survives has persisted for months since the final episode was screened.Snow does not appear in any of the new images released by HBO, however Harington has appeared in some of the marketing material for season six.

Though the show's producers have suggested that Snow is indeed dead, Harington was spotted by media in Belfast last July, with many interpreting the sighting as confirmation the actor was filming on the new season.

Then a new image of Snow appeared in November – bloodied – on a promotional poster for the sixth season.

Game of Thrones, for the uninitiated, is a fantasy drama set in the fictional continent of Westeros, divided into Seven Kingdoms, all ruled by feuding royal houses.

The sixth season of Game of Thrones will introduce several new characters, including as yet unrevealed characters played by actors Richard E. Grant and Ian McShane.

The sixth season will launch on April 24 in the US; Foxtel will screen it in Australia the same day.