Game of Thrones season 7 begins filming King's Landing scenes, and Cersei looks straight-up wicked

The Game of Thrones season 7 crew began filming in Cáceres, Spain today, with the historic city currently decked out with the banners of House Lannister. Cáceres has been a go-to spot for scenes which take place in King's Landing. Normally this wouldn't be too much of a surprise, but this time, (potential SPOILER alert) there's mysterious men dressed in black armor strolling about, and a curiously-absent Lena Headey (Cersei, duh).

Don't be too shocked by Headey's absence, though. She and Hafthor Bjornsson (AKA The Mountain) are currently filming in Dubrovnik, Croatia. This impressive city was one of the first used to define the look of King's Landing, and while it has been rarely utilized over the last few seasons, there's little doubt this is what it's being used for now. Interestingly, the city was employed extensively in the filming of Battle of the Blackwater, due to the well-preserved nature of the walls. Is there another battle coming to King's Landing in S7? It seems hugely likely.

More striking is Cersei's new, more villainous look: all black, with a dark gold neckpiece and shoulders. While this is how we see her at the end of season 6, her guards have been decked out in slick-but-evil-looking duds as well: black armor with silver shoulders and an emblem of the crown emblazoned on their chestplates.

You might think these are the same men in black seen strolling about in Cáceres, but those guys don't seem to have the silver flair. It's not clear who the men in Cáceres serve, but when you've got a bunch of dudes in scary-looking armor wielding weapons inside a contested city, well… I sense conflict ahead.

Game of Thrones season 7 will debut in summer 2017.

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Images: HBO; PIXSELL / Grgo Jelavić for N1