Game of Thrones

Alfred Hitchcock was the first filmmaker to widely use them, making cameo appearances in 39 of his films.

Over the years Easter eggs have become more complex and are almost a trademark for some series such as the Marvel Cinematic Universe. On the small screen they remain prolific in shows where the writers wish to give something back to their audience.

Whether it’s secret messages, inside jokes or obscure references, we’ve got a rundown of ten of the best Easter eggs from British TV.

How to Build a Girl will star Beanie Feldstein (Lady Bird, Bad Neighbours 2) alongside Alfie Allen (Game of Thrones), Paddy Considine (Journeyman, Pride) and Sarah Solemani (Bridget Jones's Baby, Him & Her) as well as a host of other British stars.

Shamed (w/t), which stars Game of Thrones actress Faye Marsay, centres around the cool and calm Sarah Ivy, whose world collapsed around her 10 years previously.

With the help of her brother she kidnaps two men, Nathan (Nick Blood - Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D) and Mani. The duo claim not to know Sarah or what she would want with them, however a connection is soon revealed...

In the first episode of the seventh, and penultimate season of Game of Thrones, a new character, played by Jim Broadbent, consoles those who are gloomy about the terrible freeze descending on Westeros: “Every winter that ever came has ended.”

This moral may also contain a ­message for fans melancholy at the impending end of the fantasy war drama itself, as it seems increasingly likely that the final wintry showdown will be followed by a creative spring.

Drama

Game of Thrones

Monday: 9pm, Sky Atlantic

Games of Thrones makes a grand return to Sky Atlantic.

While audiences eagerly wait for the upcoming season, Sky Atlantic has released a new trailer to give an idea of what's to come.

Winter has arrived and Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) has set sail for the Seven Kingdoms, with Jon Snow (Kit Harington) being named King of the North.

Deceptive Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) has seized the Iron Throne for herself and the Night King has gathered his undead forces for the ultimate war.

Change is sweeping through the UK studios business. The transformation of this formerly predictable but competitive sector – dominated, traditionally, by a handful of studios such as Elstree and Pinewood – could have far-reaching effects.

One of the key drivers is the boom in television production, fuelled by tax credits for high-end drama and growing demand from broadcasters and streaming services for long-running series.

George R R Martin has signed a contract with HBO and four writers to prolong Game of Thrones with some spin-offs.

A spokeswoman for HBO said: "We'll take as much or as little time as the writers need and, as with all our development, we will evaluate what we have when the scripts are in."

One of the four writers up to extend the show is Jane Goldman, who co-wrote the superhero flick Kick-Ass.

Mad Men writer Carly Wray, Brian Helgeland (LA Confidential) and Max Borenstein (Kong: Skull Island) are the other three on board.

The highly anticipated release date for series 7 of Game of Thrones has been announced.

Episodes will be broadcast weekly at 2am from 17th July on Sky Atlantic and online streaming service NOW TV, followed by a repeat at 9pm the same day. 

Many burning questions from series six will be answered on the wintry return to Westeros, which saw Daenerys setting sail for the Seven Kingdoms, Jon Snow dubbed King of the North, Cersei seizing the Iron Throne and the Night King amassing forces.