GAME OF THRONES: How the cast stands now

As of last night, all of the major parts with one exception have been cast for the HBO pilot adaptation of George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones. Game of Thrones is the first book is a series of seven planned books dealing with the political intrigues, battles, and liaisons of a medieval kingdom named Westeros. The books are wonderful and I recommend them to anyone who hasn't picked one up yet.

For the cast, we have...

Sean Bean as Lord Ned Stark
Bean is more than capable of playing the lead in a fantasy series. Bean will be playing the lord of a noble clan who is drawn into the deadly game of thrones.

Jennifer Ehle as Lady Catelyn Stark
The star of BBC's Pride and Prejudice will play a noble matriarch who must go to great lengths to protect her family.

Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister
Everyone's choice for the role, Dinklage will sink his teeth into the role of Tyrion, a cunning dwarf who's been mistreated by his golden Lannister kin his whole life. Tyrion is hands-down the best character is the series, and I'm stoked they secured Dinklage first out of all the cast members.


Lena Headey as Queen Cersei Lannister
A surprising choice, given that Cersei is the epitome of blonde beauty and Headey is a darkly dramatic-looking actress. I'm optimistic and believe that Headey can handle playing the viperous Queen of Westeros.

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister
Queen Cersei's twin and lover will be played by the star of last year's New Amsterdam. He and Headey look nothing alike, but I'm happy with his casting. The acting matters more than the looks. Coster-Waldau will look VERY good in that white Kingsguard uniform.

Tamzin Merchant as Daenerys Targaryen
Merchant was nothing to write home about on The Tudors, as Katherine Howard. Daenerys is the lost heir to the throne of Westeros, one of the only survivors of a brutal uprising and family massacre when she was a baby. I'm a little anxious when it comes to Merchant. She has bitten off a lot to chew with this role.


Mark Addy as King Robert Baratheon
Mark Addy was another surprising choice, but a positive one. Almost no one mentioned Addy when speculating about casting the boisterous and powerful king who has gone to fat and drunkenness in middle age. I'm excited to see how he plays the role.

Richard Madden as Robb Stark
A lesser known actor, especially in the U.S. Madden will be playing the good-hearted eldest son and heir to Ned Stark. He looks the part.

Alfie Owen-Allen as Theon Greyjoy
Ditto with Allen, who is playing a hostage and ward of the Starks. Trivia note: He's pop singer Lily Allen's younger brother, and the subject of her song and video called, "Alfie."

Iain Glenn as Jorah Mormont
Veteran of the big screen, Glenn is great in everything. Awesome to have him on board as the grizzled disgraced knight who serves Daenerys.

Rory McCann as Sandor, the Hound
The McCann casting hasn't been confirmed by HBO, but it's all but a done deal with the clues George R.R. Martin has given at http://grrm.livejournal.com . The Scottish actor is 6'6", and can act too. I'm happy with this one. Can't wait to see him covered in burn scars and chopping people in half!

Kit Harrington as Jon Snow
Harrington is an unknown stage actor who's impressed people who've seem him live. He looks like a good Jon; still waiting to see his acting. He's a cutie.

Maisie Williams as Arya Stark
Another adorable unknown. She looks the part, still waiting to see. Williams will be playing the rambunctious tomboy daughter of Ned and Catelyn Stark.

Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark
Unknown. Turner will be playing the soft and feminine elder daughter of the Starks.

Harry Lloyd as Viserys Targaryen
Lloyd was a fun villain on "Dr. Who" and will be playing nasty little jerk Viserys in the pilot. Viserys plots with his sister Daenerys to take back the throne of Westeros.

Jack Gleeson as Prince Joffrey Baratheon
Gleeson has been in a few movies, but with no major parts. He'll be playing the vicious and abusive heir to the throne. It's a great part for a young actor, and I've heard nothing but good things about Gleeson.

The only major role not cast yet in the pilot remaining belongs to the character of Bran Stark. Bran is the middle son of Ned and Catelyn, and has a very intense storyline for a child throughout the series.
There are several smaller roles that are being cast now. Filming will begin in northern Ireland in late October. If the series is picked up by HBO, it would debut sometime in 2010.