On the eve of Comic-Con, major casting news has dropped regarding the second season of HBO's hit fantasy drama Game of Thrones. Two new major roles have been filled: Stannis Baratheon and Lady Melisandre will be portrayed by Stephen Dillane and Carice van Houten, respectively.
You're probably asking, "Who?" And you're not alone. Both actors are relatively unknown, though with the stellar job that Game of Thrones' casting department did last year, I wouldn't be too worried.
Dillane will play Stannis Baratheon, one of the contenders for the iron throne who will pop up in season two. The younger brother of the late King Robert (Mark Addy), who died under suspicious circumstances during the first season, Stannis correctly believes himself to be the rightful heir to his brother's throne, since King Joffrey (Jack Gleeson) is secretly the bastard son of twins Cersei (Lena Headey) and Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau). Of course, Joffrey isn't Stannis's only competition; his younger brother Renly Baratheon (Gethin Anthony) is also fighting for the throne he has no actual claim to. As a stubborn man with a righteous sense of justice, though, Stannis will have no mercy on any who stand in his way -- even Renly. Dillane's career has mostly been low-key, with his biggest role being Thomas Jefferson in the HBO miniseriesJohn Adams back in 2008.
Stannis's closest advisor is the "Red Priestess" Lady Melisandre of Asshai, who will be portrayed by Carice van Houten. Lady Melisandre is a very powerful sorceress who worships the Lord of Light, a new deity that is just beginning to gain popularity in Westeros. Her beauty is only matched by how dangerous she is (very). She'll play a very major role in the show's second season, and will likely be the source of some of the season's big watercooler moments. Like Dillane, though, van Houten doesn't have a very big resume. She's had small roles in major films likeValkyrie and Repo Men, but you can just look at her face and tell that she's right for the role.
What do you think? Are Stannis and Melisandre how you'd pictured them?
Game of Thrones will return next spring for its second season.
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