Fans of Game of Thrones may not have to wait until the spring to be reunited with some of their favourite characters from the hit HBO TV series.

The fantasy show is not due to return for season five until spring, but the US network is set to release a one-off preview titled A Day in the Life on Sunday 8 February, according to fan website WinterIsComing.net.

Few details have been revealed about the upcoming special but, judging by last year's, viewers can likely expect some sneak peeks at new footage (and hopefully more than the couple of seconds provided in HBO’s ‘Yearender’ video).

Previous Game of Thrones specials have been available to stream on the HBO website and YouTube, although how UK fans can watch the preview has yet to be announced

The storyline will draw from George RR Martin’s fourth and fifth novels, A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons, but as usual the plot may deviate from his A Song of Ice and Fire book series.

Game of Thrones season 5 cast Show all 9 1 /9 Game of Thrones season 5 cast Game of Thrones season 5 cast Game of Thrones season 5 Oscar-nominated New Zealand actress Keisha Castle-Hughes will play the fiery Obara Sand, one of Prince Oberyn’s illegitimate daughters, who is seeking revenge for her father’s murder at the hands of the Mountain in season four Getty Images Game of Thrones season 5 cast Game of Thrones season 5 Nymeria “Nym” Sand will be played by Jessica Henwick, her best known role to date is in television series Silk and Spirit Warriors BBC Game of Thrones season 5 cast Game of Thrones season 5 Jonathan Pryce will star as the High Sparrow, a religious figure who could be making waves in King’s Landing Getty Images Game of Thrones season 5 cast Game of Thrones season 5 Alexander Siddig, who will be playing Doran Martell, the stoic ruler of Dorne and the older brother of the gruesomely slain Oberyn Getty Images Game of Thrones season 5 cast Game of Thrones season 5 Enzo Cilenti (left) will take on the part of the slave trader Yezzan Rex Features Game of Thrones season 5 cast Game of Thrones season 5 London-born star DeObia Oparei will play Areo Hotah, the loyal protector of Doran Martell Getty Images Game of Thrones season 5 cast Game of Thrones season 5 Rosabell Laurenti Sellers will play Tyene Sand, one of the illegitimate daughters of Oberyn Martell, the Prince of Dorne Getty Images Game of Thrones season 5 cast Game of Thrones season 5 Myrcella Baratheon will be played by newcomer Nell Tiger Free Rex Features Game of Thrones season 5 cast Game of Thrones season 5 Newcomer Toby Sebastian will take on the role of Trystane Martell, the youngest son of Doran

Major Game of Thrones cast members have had their contracts renewed through to a possible seventh series, so long as producers do not kill their characters off before reaching that stage.