Season three production is rolling along this month, with filming in Croatia and Northern Ireland happening simultaneously for the last week. The schedule should get even more hectic when Game of Thrones arrives in Morocco to begin shooting on October 13th. With all this activity, some interesting sightings and rumors have surfaced. There are spoilers in some of these rumors, but those will all be placed beneath the cut.

The most interesting report comes from two WiC sources, who confirm that Noah Taylor has been cast as Locke. The character Locke is described as filling a similar function to the mercenary leader Vargo Hoat in the A Song of Ice and Fire books, but does not have Vargo’s memorable lisp. Locke will play a key role in Jaime and Brienne’s story next season.

The character Locke is described as filling a similar function to the mercenary leader Vargo Hoat in the A Song of Ice and Fire books, but does not have Vargo’s memorable lisp. Locke will play a key role in Jaime and Brienne’s story next season. We’ve heard that we will see the character of Steelshanks , albeit in a small role. Steelshanks also plays a part in Jaime Lannister’s journey.

, albeit in a small role. Steelshanks also plays a part in Jaime Lannister’s journey. At least one scene with Aidan Gillen has been filmed in Littlefinger’s brothel.

has been filmed in Littlefinger’s brothel. Dame Diana Rigg has been in Dubrovnik, according to the tweet of actor Will Rastall. Rastall is playing a Server. It sounds like the Queen of Thorns was filmed in the gardens of the Trsteno Arboretum, based on the timing.

has been in Dubrovnik, according to the tweet of actor Will Rastall. Rastall is playing a Server. It sounds like the Queen of Thorns was filmed in the gardens of the Trsteno Arboretum, based on the timing. Two photos, from different angles, were snapped of the same set in Northern Ireland, near the biking trail referred to as the Lead Mines, in County Down. Some have speculated that the broken windmill may be part of the set used for the ruined town of Maidenpool.

*There will be detailed spoilers for season three/A Storm of Swords beneath the Read More cut, so proceed with caution!*

The bear pit scene from the third book has been filmed. Noah Taylor was present for this, as was Nikolaj Coster-Waldau wearing a bandage-style sleeve over his lower arm to convey that Jaime’s lost his hand. It appears that the removal of the sword hand occurred before the bear pit, as in the book.

The bear pit scene from the third book has been filmed. Noah Taylor was present for this, as was wearing a bandage-style sleeve over his lower arm to convey that Jaime’s lost his hand. It appears that the removal of the sword hand occurred before the bear pit, as in the book. One source reports that a scene has been filmed where Edmure reveals Robb’s battle plans to some northern lords in order to impress them. This makes Robb and the Blackfish very angry, and they confront Edmure about it at Riverrun.

Ours is the Fury: I’m not quite sure what to make of the last item. It’s possible that the scene is new, or was a misunderstanding of the incident from A Clash of Kings where Edmure accidentally wrecks Robb’s plan to trap the Lannister forces after they crossed the river. As for Noah Taylor’s character, I wonder if they decided to rename Vargo Hoat after his lisp was lost and if back story details were eliminated or changed. The family name Locke is used by two minor characters in A Storm of Swords but neither has anything to do with Jaime and Brienne’s storyline, and so I think the show simply borrowed the last name.