Game Of Thrones: Jim Broadbent Cast In 'Significant' Role

Winter is coming to Game of Thrones, and so is Professor Slughorn.

Entertainment Weekly reports that Oscar winner Jim Broadbent has signed onto the show. Although there's no word about which character he'll portray, EW says his role is "significant."

The veteran British actor appeared in 1981's Time Bandits and 1985's Brazil, and he won an Oscar for his performance in 2001's Iris. But he's perhaps best known for playing Bridget's dad in 2001's Bridget Jones's Diary, and for his recurring part in the Harry Potter franchise as Professor Horace Slughorn.

Broadbent isn't the only actor to move from Hogwarts to Westeros: Ciarán Hinds played Aberforth Dumbledore in Harry Potter and Mance Rayder on Game of Thrones; David Bradley played Argus Filch and Walder Frey; and Natalia Tena played Nymphadora Tonks and Osha.

Production for Season 7 will take place in Northern Ireland, Spain, and Iceland, and HBO announced (via EW) there will be just seven episodes instead of the usual 10. While the storyline is top secret, actress Maisie Williams (Arya Stark) said "nothing can prepare you" for Season 7.