Whole slew on new characters to be added for A Game of Thrones, Season 3

[NewJeffCT]

http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/05/29/game-of-throne-season-3-cast/

Non-book readers are going to have trouble keeping up with them all, I think. Glad they're going to have The Queen of Thorns - it's such a colorful, albeit small, part. Maggie Smith or Judi Dench would be great, but both are probably too expensive for HBO.

Looks like the Red Viper and the Martells won't make their appearance until Season 4. No truth to the rumor that they're bringing back Conan Stevens to play Tormund's member. I know Cas Anvar - in Lost for a bit - has auditioned for Daario, and Ned Dennehy for Vargo Hoat. A younger Sean Connery would have been perfect to play The Blackfish, but he's also too big a name for a small part on an HBO series.

From the article:

Mance Rayder: We’ve heard about him all season. A former member of the Night’s Watch who became the “King Beyond the Wall,” the leader of the Wildlings.

– Daario Naharis: A confident and seductive warrior.

– Jojen Reed; Meera Reed: A teenage brother and sister duo with special insights.

– Edmure Tully: A brash young member of the Tully family.

– Ser Brynden Tully (The Blackfish): Catelyn Stark’s uncle.

– Lady Selyse Florent: Stannis Baratheon’s wife.

– Shireen: Stannis’ daughter.

– Olenna Redwyne (The Queen of Thorns): Margaery Tyrell’s sharp-witted grandmother.

– Beric Dondarrion: A skilled knight who is the leader of the outlaw group Brotherhood Without Banners.

– Thoros of Myr: A red priest who follows the same religion as Melisandre.

– Tormund Giantsbane: A Wildling raider.

[Chan790]

1. Dennehy is pretty much exactly how I pictured Vargo Hoat. n/t

[Liberal Veteran]

2. I'm glad Olenna is being added.

I thought they might migrate her role to Margaery. That would have been unfortunate. I rather liked her in the books.

[NewJeffCT]

5. the first time I read A Storm of Swords

and her first scene, I was cracking up - a complete 180 from all the genteel well spoken noblewomen.

[Liberal Veteran]

6. But will we have Butterbumps to sing loudly for us?

She's all old and shit, y'know.

[petronius]

3. "...to play Tormund's member."

Who's gonna play the rest of Tormund?

[NewJeffCT]

4. Ron Perlman has expressed an interest in the show

possibly because he's worked with George R.R. Martin before. He might make a good Tormund, or a good Thoros, and he's done plenty of fantasy before. Plus, playing a wilding like Tormund or a priest from across the sea like Thoros might be an okay fit.

[Hayabusa]

7. If he does play Thoros...

he should be contractually obligated to say "War never changes..."