Game of Thrones – The Cast Is In! (or most of it, at least)

August 21, 2009 by  
Filed under Previews, TV, TV Previews

A slew of casting announcements were made this week for HBO’s “A Game of Thrones.” Here’s the cast thus far:

Tyrion Lannister - Peter Dinklage

Tyrion Lannister - Peter Dinklage

You know him from: “The Station Agent

ned

Ned Stark - Sean Bean

You know him from: “The Lord of the Rings

catjpg

Catelyn Stark - Jennifer Ehle

You may know her from: “Pride and Prejudice

robert

Robert Baratheon - Mark Addy

You may know him from: “The Order

jaime

Jaime Lannister - Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

You may know him from: “New Amsterdam

dany

Daenerys Targaryen - Tamzin Merchant

You may know her from: “The Tudors

jorah

Ser Jorah Mormont - Iain Glen

You may know him from: “Resident Evil

theon

Theon Greyjoy - Alfie Allen

You may know him from: “Atonement” and “The Other Boleyn Girl
(Fun Fact: Alfie is the younger bro of Lily Allen)

vis

Viserys Targaryen - Harry Lloyd

You may know him from: “Robin Hood

robb

Robb Stark - Richard Madden

jonsnow

Jon Snow - Kit Harrington

And some relative newcomers:

Sansa Stark – Sophie Turner

Arya Stark – Maisie Williams

Joffrey Baratheon – Jack Gleeson

There are a few casting choices that I raise an eyebrow at- mainly Jon Snow and Daenerys. I don’t want to be an obnoxious Twilight-style fangirl about this, but Kit Harrington looks just a touch on the poofy side.
I can’t help but feel that some of our Dream Cast choices were perhaps a little better. Just a little…
But in all honesty, they could film an entire cast of muppets, and I’d still watch.
Filming is scheduled to begin in October in Belfast, Northern Ireland in late October.


A Storm of Stars: Casting HBO’s “Game of Thrones”

June 1, 2009 by  
Filed under Features, Previews, TV, TV Previews

HBO scored a major coup last month when they landed Peter Dinklage to play the role of Tyrion in their upcoming series “Game of Thrones” based on George R. R. Martin’s “Song of Ice and Fire” series. Dinklage was the dream choice of everyone from the author himself on down. As huge fans of pretty much everything GRRM writes (as well as most HBO shows), we decided to try our hands at filling out the rest of the cast. Here goes:

House Stark

House Stark

Eddard Stark - Kyle Secor

Eddard Stark - Kyle Secor

Honorable to a fault, noble Ned serves as the head of the Stark household. In both “Homicide” and “Veronica Mars“, Secor flexed the necessary acting muscles to likewise nail the reserved ruler of the North. Beard up, Kyle!

Catelyn Stark - Molly Parker

Catelyn Tully Stark - Molly Parker

Though best known for her awesome work as Alma Garrett of “Deadwood,” Molly Parker consistently shows finesse in roles ranging from the subtlest dramas (Rodrigo Garcia’s “Nine Lives“) to over the top comedies (a recent guest spot on “Party Down“). Parker can pull off the vulnerable yet callous Catelyn.

Robb Stark - Tom Sturridge

Robb Stark - Tom Sturridge

The eldest Stark son, Robb, possesses characteristics quite unlike his father’s – passion and naivety. Tom Sturridge – AKA one of the guys rumored to have just missed on the Edward Cullen role in “Twilight” – looks the part.

Sansa Stark - Rachel Hurd-Wood

Sansa Stark - Rachel Hurd-Wood

Rachel Hurd-Wood caught our eye in “Perfume.” She has that sweet, innocent, never-gonna-see-all-the-bad-shit-comin’ look that Sansa Stark should – nay, must – have.

Arya Stark - Mia Wasikowska

Arya Stark - Mia Wasikowska

Wiser than her older sis, Arya’s storyline also covers a lot more ground, literally and emotionally. Mia Wasikowska is the one young actress we’re certain could cover all that territory. She shines in another HBO show, “In Treatment.”

Jon Snow- Noah Segan

Jon Snow- Noah Segan

We know Noah Segan from the excellent neo-noir movie “Brick.” From Winterfell to the Wall and beyond, Jon Snow is a crucial character.

House Lannister

House Lannister

Tywin Lannister - Michael Hogan

Tywin Lannister - Michael Hogan

It would bring us great, great joy to watch Michael Hogan play this part. Known primarily as the perpetually cranky Colonel Tigh of “Battlestar Galactica,” Hogan seems almost born to play the orginal crankster, Lannister daddy Tywin.

Tyrion Lannister - Peter Dinklage

Tyrion Lannister - Peter Dinklage

Dinklage is in. What a fucking coup!

Jaime Lannister - Jesse Erwin

Jaime Lannister - Jesse Erwin

The Kingslayer proves a casting challenge. He must be physically imposing, capable of terrible things and still charming enough to not be completely hated. We’re rolling the dice on the little known Jesse Erwin.

Cersei Lannister - Jaime Ray Newman

Cersei Lannister Baratheon - Jaime Ray Newman

Like her twin brother, though perhaps a hair nastier, Cersei needs that touch of charm to at least partially counteract her evil streak. Jaime Ray Newman has that kind of charisma.

House Baratheon

House Baratheon

Robert Baratheon - Michael Harney

Robert Baratheon - Michael Harney

Robert is both large and in charge. Literally. He’s the king. His appetite for food is matched only by his appetite for drink, which is surpassed, slightly, by his appetite for sweet poontang. Harney nailed the drunk part in “Deadwood.”

Stannis Baratheon - Titus Welliver

Stannis Baratheon - Titus Welliver

Titus Welliver always has the weary look that we imagined Stannis would wear. Bobby B’s older bro is practically the opposite of him – strict, serious, sober.

Renly Baratheon - Adrian Grenier

Renly Baratheon - Adrian Grenier

The youngest of the 3 Baratheons, Renly keeps it real. Real gay! No, seriously, he’s a homosexual. “Entourage” star Adrian Grenier isn’t, but he’s pretty enough for the role.

Joffrey Baratheon - Max Pirkis

Joffrey Baratheon - Max Pirkis

Max Pirkis played Octavian on “Rome.” He’d be a natural for the bratty Joffrey.

House Targaryen

House Targaryen

Viserys Targaryen - Simon Woods

Viserys Targaryen - Simon Woods

Simon Woods? Also Octavian on “Rome.” Similarly, he’d be a natural for the bratty Viserys.

Danaerys Targaryen - Kristin Bell

Daenerys Targaryen - Kristen Bell

A fan favorite, Daenerys’ journey and transformation may make for one of the toughest acting jobs in the series. Kristen Bell eats roles like this for breakfast.

House Greyjoy

House Greyjoy

Theon Greyjoy - Tom Felton

Theon Greyjoy - Tom Felton

Cruel. Obnoxious. Theon Greyjoy kinda blows. Tom Felton could play this part with the glee it needs.

Other Players

Lysa Arryn - Lili Taylor

Lysa Tully Arryn - Lili Taylor

Lili Taylor can do hysterical and a little nutty. She did it as Lisa in “Six Feet Under.” She’ll do it as Lysa.

Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish - Glenn Fitzgerald

Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish - Glenn Fitzgerald

Somewhat enigmatic, Littlefinger packs a seemingly neverending string of manipulative strategical moves. Is he really good or bad, though? Fitzgerald has that air of mystery.

Khal Drogo - Jason Momoa

Khal Drogo - Jason Momoa

Khal Drogo needs someone intimidating but still potentially vulnerable. “Stargate Atlantis” vet Momoa fits as snug as a Dothraki riding vest.

Ilyn Ppayne - Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson

Ilyn Payne - Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson

Holy shit! Just take a look at Ingvar and tell me he doesn’t look like Ilyn Payne.

Gregor "The Mountain That Rides" Clegane - Robert Z'Dar

Gregor "The Mountain That Rides" Clegane - Robert Z'Dar

B-Movie legend Bob Z’Dar, the “Maniac Cop” himself, lands the Mountain gig solely because his jaw is as big as one.

Sandor "The Hound" Clegane - Clancy Brown

Sandor "The Hound" Clegane - Clancy Brown

Clancy won our hearts as the ridiculously evil Brother Justin in “Carnivale.” That, combined with his earlier work as a prison guard in “The Shawshank Redemption,” made us feel he was right for the Hound.

Love it? Hate it? Comment about it.

For another take on the cast, check here.

For all other GRRM info check out Westeros or Martin’s official site.