Liam Cunningham and Greg Grunberg coming to MEFCC 2017

Game of Thrones actor and Heroes star are the first big celebrity guests announced for this year's Middle East Film and Comic Con, which runs from April 6 to 8 in Dubai.

Liam Cunningham, who plays loyal adviser Davos Seaworth in HBO’s epic-fantasy drama Game of Thrones will appear at this year’s Middle East Film Comic Con. Loic Venance / AFP photo

The first celebrity guests have been unveiled for the Middle East Film and Comic Con, which returns to Dubai World Trade Centre from April 6-8 for a sixth edition that promises to be the biggest and best yet.

Game of Thrones fans waiting impatiently for the later-than-usual start of the new season (season seven is expected during the summer, a departure from the usual April debut) will be pleased to hear that Liam Cunningham, who plays loyal adviser Davos Seaworth in HBO's epic-fantasy drama will appear.

Also on the bill is Greg Grunberg, one of Hollywood's busiest, and most familiar, actors. After his early breakthrough alongside Jennifer Garner in JJ Abrams's TV spy thriller Alias, he starred as telepath Matt Parkman in Heroes, and as X-wing pilot Temmin Wexley in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. He also had a memorable cameo in the pilot episode of Lost, and also appeared in Star Trek Beyond as Commander Finnegan.

International guests joining the celebrity MEFCC line-up this year include superstar comics artists Simone Bianchi and James C Mulligan.

Linda Le, aka Vampy, one of the world’s top professional cosplayers, will also attend, as will custom toy designer J*Ryu.

Additional celebrities, international guests and artists will be announced in the coming weeks.

Another highlight this year is set to be Star Trek: 50 Years, 50 Artists, an exhibition sponsored by Dubai Film and TV Commission that will feature 50 words of art inspired by the classic sci-fi franchise, from artists including the late Leonard Nimoy, who portrayed the original Spock and died in 2015.

Over the past five years, MEFCC has welcomed more than 200,000 visitors to meet star guests including William Shatner, Gillian Anderson and Christopher Lloyd.

“Every year, we challenge ourselves to not only deliver a better event but also continue to support the development of regional talent, and to see local artists and entrepreneurs progress is hugely rewarding,” says MEFCC chief Ben Caddy. “We’ve got another great line-up planned, more food and beverage options for fans and families and we’re hoping for a record turnout with the new travel and ticketing options too.”

• For ticket details and more information visit www.mefcc.com