3/3, congrats! :)

Here's a pic of Harington:
http://ntmedia.palm.tincan.co.uk/files/Kit-Harington7K4Fyd.jpg
Here's one for Lloyd:
http://www.trh.co.uk/images/bio/pic/hlloyd.jpg
And here's one of Gleeson, althougt it is from Batman Begins, so he's older now:
http://www.filmdope.com/Gallery/ActorsG/58178-26622.gif

I think WiC's source is GRRM.

:)

The big name is going to do a lot in the way of helping this show get picked up. The diligence of this casting promises a very seriously taken pilot which is great!

That image of Kit Harrington floating around, man, YEP that's Jon Snow! I feel like we are in good hands.

Now I just wonder if GRRM was being prophetic, and if there is one more "bean" to spill before the casting is complete.

:)

...ryan

Mark Addy is a decent choice. Not sure he looks entirely right but he's definately talented enough to do the role. Also he was in 'The Full Monty' a few years back.

I have to say, I hate these late night casting announcements. I'm always like 8 or 9 hours late on getting up the most exciting posts!

Of course, you could say I was 5 days early on the Sean Bean part. ;)

Mark Addy and Sean Bean were in the serial killer trilogy RED RIDING together and both gave knockout performances..

Interesting... As someone else pointed out in the comments of the previous post, GRRM doesn't include Catelyn in the list of roles still needing to be filled. I wonder if that was on purpose. Perhaps the next casting announcement will have details on female cast selections. :)

WOW! Great scoop Winter. The Jon Snow guy looks almost exactly how I pictured him.

@Winter

If you weren't already, you now are going to be the penultimate source for GoT rumors. Time to start staying up for the late night announcements!!

only once you've beaten Reuters to an announcement can you be the ULTIMATE source.

And yes, your Sean Bean rumor caused quite the stir. Here, on Twitter and elsewhere. All eyes on you now. No pressure!

Might be time to put up a casting inventory, with names, previous experience, headshots, relevant video and perhaps fan reaction, for each cast member after they are announced. I would help you build it if you wanted.

Great news today!

...ryan

Addy should be okay, looks good in the few bearded/serious-looking pictures there are. I mostly associate him with humorous, not to say jolly roles ... but I'm sure he's the right kind of talent.

For the rest, I trust the picks, and like the looks. There are some seriously evil and mad pictures of Lloyd out there, and Harrington fits perfectly in my mind, better than I hoped for. Plus the face is not conventional/stereotypical, for lack of a better expression. Given that they passed on some options we quite liked here, I'm sure they got even better choices, so there's nothing to worry. Martin also apperently watched some readings and loved their performance.

@Winter: the Wikipedia article gave credit where credit was due. Still, you could consider changing time zones :)

I so hope Gillian Anderson will play Catelyn. I saw her performance in "A Doll's House" and was floored: her range and ability to project emotions is amazing. Currently I can't think of a better candidate for the role.

Huge! Finally some stuff to talk about!

"Interesting... As someone else pointed out in the comments of the previous post, GRRM doesn't include Catelyn in the list of roles still needing to be filled. I wonder if that was on purpose. Perhaps the next casting announcement will have details on female cast selections. :)"

Let's hope so!

Ryan: I always check THR, Variety, my email, Twitter, etc. to see if anything was announced before I go to bed. Of course, they announce it late at night (on a Sunday too!?) and it was the first time in weeks that I went to bed before 11!

May be time for me to get another writer on board. Someone on the West Coast, or even in Europe, so we can have round the clock Thrones news.

I do plan to put up a FAQ type post soonish. I'll have a link to it on the front page and keep it updated with any news we get. Although with the cast growing in size quite a bit yesterday, and still many more roles to fill, a separate post with confirmed casting announcements might be a good idea.

Anyone else seriously confused over the "40 year winter" comment on the news story. Can't any news outlet (other than WIC :) ) get the details correct? Its not that difficult.

I've been wondering about that ... wouldn't the source of the news be HBO / the producers? every news outlet mainly just adapts the original announcement slightly, if at all. Why would they include the "40-year winter" crap?

Really great news.

YES! Casting! *dances a little*

Also, yeah...the summary in the Hollywood Reporter article is a little weird. o_O "40 year winter"?

WiC, if you're serious about someone from Europe, maybe I can help out.

I'm impressed with the casting choices so far, btw. It certainly looks very promising.

Oh, nice :D
I saw Harry Lloyd in Robin Hood BBC series.

I dunno about Kit Harrington or Jack Gleeson, hope they're good choices...

Of course, Sean Bean and Addy are great!

I had Harry Lloyd pegged as Jon Snow about 18 months ago, but he's a good enough actor to play Viserys. He's been in Doctor Who, the UK's (rather crap) version of Robin Hood and if memory serves, he's the actual great great great grandson of Charles Dickens.

Wow, the more I read (and the more photos I see) of Kit Harrington (AKA Jon Snow), the more impressed I get.

Its funny that we worry SO MUCH about the casting of Ned, Robert, etc, but its Tyrion, Dany, and Jon Snow who will have to carry this series if it is to survive...

...although its nice to see guys like Bean to get the "ball rolling"...

Parris noted on the westeros forums that Mark Addy's audition tape was very convincing, and I trust her opinion.


Well one thing I know is, if we get another writer, HearMeRoar must be his/her nickname. :D

But I'll also settle for OursIsTheFury or WeDoNotSow.

Now, how about some beautiful ladies to round out the cast...

Harry Llyod was in my perfect cast, as Theon granted, but at least he's in. He can do scary mental really well, so the 'wake the dragon' scenes are in very good hands.

Still feel the series needs a big name to carry it through other seasons though.

"Still feel the series needs a big name to carry it through other seasons though."

Maybe for Catelyn?

Well, the Gillian Anderson rumours would, if true, provide some star power through at least series 2 and some of 3, but would want to hang around to do later Catelyn? Would any big name actress for that matter?

Maybe Cersei would be a better pick for a bigger name?

Thing is, if they get as far as series four, when Catelyn's role becomes so much less, all the other characters will ~be~ big names by then, even if they're unknown by now.

Mark Addy at least looks the part. His work on still standing has me a little worried, just because his "American" accent made me nuts. But, he is a professional and gets plenty of work so, I'm confident he'll pull through.

Sean Bean is a huge win. I'm curious how they're going to age everyone. Sure, he could play 35, but I'm betting they're going to add a few years to everyone across the board.

Quite possibly.

I was just thnking of The Tudors as a prime example of what I mean. Series One you had Henry played by a known actor in Jonathan Rhys Meyers and then had some star power and experience in chracter acting with Sam Neill. The Tudors did well to elevate and stretch relavtive unknowns in Henry Cavill, James Frain and Natalie Dormer, but still had Jonathan Rhys Meyers as the constant to carry the show after Neill dies at the end of series 1.

Here with GoT, we have Sean Bean as our version of Sam Neill; representing experience, name value and guranteed good performance. However as yet we don't have a Jonathan Rhys Meyers who can carry the rest of the show while the other actors are getting built.

The script has Ned in his forties, IIRC.

Well, we have Peter Dinklage. He has a certain amount of star power and experience.

Does he really? I know who he is from seeing him as a dwarf in Narnia. Beyond that, couldn't say. If they wanted star power dwarf acting, they'd have cast Warwick Davis as I think everyone knows who he is. He wouldnt neccessarily have been right for the role, but probably the next most likely.

Without being 'sizest' he isn't really the same as what I was suggessting.

Well, I think that HBO's first aim would be making these young actors stars, like in everyone of their shows, just think about the Rome cast.

nice job on the Harrington pick, just visually. Neither he nor Bean were who I pictured as Jon/Ned, but I like that there's a resemblance between them

Rome is another good example, with Bean/Hinds compaired, but even they they had James Purefoy and to a lesser extent Kevin McKidd as already established actors to carry the rest of the show.

Hopefully by the time Ned dies, the viewers will be hooked on Dinklage's character, the other lannisters, dany, and the mini-starks. Its a similar situation to us when we read the books. By the time Ned dies, people wont just be watching for sean bean (unless the series is badly made).

Indeed (just to add) no doubt plenty of Bean/Ned fans will continue to watch in the hopes of some violent revenge being carried out. ;)

If they get someone well known for Catelyn, and have Dinklage there too, I think we'll be well set up. Honestly, HBO series' ~make~ stars out of people who weren't stars before. By the end of A Storm of Swords, if they get that far, I full expect the actors playing Jaime, Jon, Dany etc to be well-known faces who will easily carry the series on alongside Dinklage and a heavily made up well-known actress playing Lady Stoneheart.

Ned dies...??? lol

If either Cersei, Jamie or Catelyn are known actors then I shall be happy. If both the females are, I shall be happier.

Yeah, what anon said. Sean Bean is what you might call a 'hook'. I have faith enough in the story.

Great news. You can feel the momentum really building now.

Sean Bean will definitely help get the casual fan's attention and once they're 2 or 3 episodes in they'll be hooked, no doubt.

Doesn't HBO picking up the full season feel more and more like a foregone conclusion now? I mean, GRRM mentions that the deal with Bean took some time to work out ... if it were just for one pilot episode would it really have been that difficult??

i don't agree about the known-actor syndrome.

this series, unlike sopranos, the wire, six feet under, etc. has a best-selling book series behind it. this will bring the missing interest.

also, actors, like stories, grow in the telling. did you know james gandolfini before sopranos for anything other than beating up patricia arquette in true romance? and yet he has become fairly monumental in the TV world.

did we know michael c. hall before he played the son and brother who ran the Fisher & Sons funeral parlor in Six Feet Under?

did we know david duchovny before The X-Files? Jerry Seinfeld before Seinfeld? Jennifer Aniston before Friends?

you get what i'm saying.

just cast this "right" and make sure it's acted well. and make sure the writing is better than it should be, and i personally believe we'll be just fine without casting many other known names.

however, that isn't to stop some b-list talent to this series, especially with dinklage, bean, and potentially gillian anderson attached. hollywood tends to work that way (starfucking i mean, pardon the terminology), so we'll just have to see who emerges in the roles of jaime and cersei (the two next likeliest candidates for a renowned actor).

personally, i agree with other posters who feel having FEWER known names would serve this series better, we don't want to bring too many actors with "baggage" for their roles in other films.

...ryan

I wouldn't be surprised if some of the other roles are played by lesser known British tv actors - the kind of people that we Brits will vaguely recognise from one show or other, but that people from other countries may never have heard of.

Harry Lloyd in that pic looks like a young Nicolas Cage or Keanu Reeves, he possesses that charisma both men has. Kit Harrington, on the other hand, the more I look at his pic the more he reminds me of a character that could play a David, if he could convey that much emotion on photo alone, what more could he do on screen.

With guys like these on the show, I expect that a lot of the new fans will be of the female species. That is, if they can take how the pilot ends. :D

Someone posted this pic of Lloyd on the Westeros forums. Much better visual then all the Robin Hood-related photos I've seen. While still not my ideal Viserys (I've always visualized Simon Woods - Octavian #2 from Rome), after looking at this photo perhaps there's a bit of Viserys in him after all.

@Ryan Dunn

I totally agree with yah, very good points. I was on the verge of posting something very similar but you beat me to it!

This is another picture of Lloyd from apparently the same production. Pretty mad as well :)

@Marko - I think I like that picture even better. :)

Can Jack be cruel though?

Should we get that far... Fan reaction to Bean's beheading should be interesting. I know people who stopped watching Deadwood after Wild Bill was murdered, because he was the most well known/familiar character to them. They missed out, obviously, but you've got to expect some fan backlash.

I am so excited about this announcement!

I agree with the others says that I think the series would be better served at this point to have lesser known actors. I'm all for Gillian Anderson as Catelyn and think she would do a great job, but I would be equally as happy with an unknown. Any more 'known' actors (than those who have been already cast) would start carrying barrage from previous roles across--espescially if its someone from sci-fi/fantasy/medieval stuff. Alot of people don't know Dinklage from anything except Narnia, even though he's an awesome comic actor and has been in lots of other things (ahem, cameo on 30 Rock was amazing). Same goes for the Bean/Boromir/LOTR association.

And, lastly, as a female, that Jon Snow is quite the looker!!

Wow. This Lloyd fellow for sure knows how to change personality. He looks completely different in that pic Marko uploaded. He looks like a guy that has just recently escapes from the mad house. Creepy as hell . . .

@Anon

Wasn't Wild Bill killed in like the 3rd or 4th episode in the first season? I hope that people give this more of a chance than that because Ned probably won't be on the steps of the Sept until a bit more into the season...

Just fyi, I signed up earlier on one of the big Sean Bean fansites, and chatted a little with some of the fans about the casting. They seem thrilled, and and have been reading the Wikipedia entry on Ned Stark, so they already know about his exit from the series. Many are also planning to read the books prior to the show being filmed too.

Harry Lloyd is great, possibly a litle wasted on Viserys when Theon is still about...

Anyway, just to clear up, when i say big names i'm talking one constant, not a big name for every role. GA could be that with Catelyn, but I stick by sating that whomever is Cersei should be the big name constant.

Mixed feelings here, have to be pleased with Bean as Ned. The others I'm not so sure about Addy and Lloyd not what I had in mind appearance wise but are probably good enough to pull it off, Harington just not good enoguh in my opinion given the importance and longevity of the role.

Bean's death will definitely shake people up, I know I did when I first read the books. "Oh no they didn't!", as Ned is the (probably) most honorable, good guy in the entire series.

@ Anonymous 11:37 AM - How is it possible to judge Harrington at this point as "not good enough"? Hard to tell if someone is good enough when we have very little to go on. All actors have to begin somewhere - and this could very well be his big break. I trust the casting directors didn't just pick him off the side of the road one day because he looked the part. Give them some credit.

"Mixed feelings here, have to be pleased with Bean as Ned. The others I'm not so sure about Addy and Lloyd not what I had in mind appearance wise but are probably good enough to pull it off, Harington just not good enoguh in my opinion given the importance and longevity of the role."

---

So you've seen Harington in a recent stage production, I take it...?

Harington just not good enoguh in my opinion given the importance and longevity of the role.
Well, GRRM said in his Not a Blog that David and Dan can't say enough about his talent and intensity so I think I'll have faith in what they say. They've been awesome casting so far so if they say Harrington is great, I'll believe them.

I always check THR, Variety, my email, Twitter, etc. to see if anything was announced before I go to bed. Of course, they announce it late at night (on a Sunday too!?) and it was the first time in weeks that I went to bed before 11!

The Reporter is posting late at night the stuff that is getting published in the paper edition that is coming out the next morning, that's why it's getting put up so late at night.

I got the Variety TV RSS bookmark on my browser, but it looks like HBO is giving their press releases to THR first for some reason.

THR has a little news widget you can add to your blog. I emailed you a link to it, WiC, not sure if you saw that. Might be useful for you and for us.

I've noticed there is some confusion as to the spelling of Kit's surname. THR got it wrong (or there was a typo in the source material), and there are further misspelled versions abound :) Checking a bit, you can see that the right spelling is with a single R, so HARINGTON. Hope his name soon becomes a household one ;)

I think Kit Harrington is a squeak

This guy: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0811284/
should've been the stark bastard.

"So you've seen Harington in a recent stage production, I take it...?"

Seen him in War Horse at the national and thought he was awful. Here is a review that tends to agree with that assesment:

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/theatre/show-23374823-details/War+Horse/showReview.do?reviewId=23557149

and I quote "Unfortunately, Kit Harington’s Albert is comprehensively out‑acted by Joey, as well as a marvellously inquisitive wheeled goose."

Should point out for those that don't know Joey is a horse btw. If you ask me they sacrificed talent for looks on this one, disappointing.

I'm absolutely loving all of this casting news. I think Sean Bean is perfect. Not sure how I feel about Mark Addy...but since all of you are excited that makes me feel a little better.

Anyone know when they expect to start filming? I'm dying for this series to start! :)

Given that the show will involve Others, Direwolves, seven-foot tall warriors, dragons and folks with violet eyes and platinum hair, I doubt they've cast Jon Snow on looks alone.

P.S. Also would like to see C4 News' Jon Snow in a cameo...

anyone know the young actors ages?

Well, I'm willing to give Harrington the benefit of the doubt. I think it would be hard not to be upstaged by gigantic horse puppets. There must have been something in his audition to make them cast him in such a huge role. I guess time will tell...

This is very interesting. For so much time, we had no news, and than, suddenly King Robert, Ned, Jon, Viserys, Joffrey. I wonder how long will we wait to hear next casting news? Hopefully, it won't take long. And, abut actors: all of them seems like very good choice.

PlainJane: They are aiming for an Oct. 12th start date.

Ser_not_appearing...can you not post blatant spoilers without a huge SPOILER ALERT or something? It's just rude and disrespectful to anyone who hasn't read the books and just wants news on the show...

and I quote "Unfortunately, Kit Harington’s Albert is comprehensively out‑acted by Joey, as well as a marvellously inquisitive wheeled goose."

While I have not seen this play, the reviews the run with Kit Harington seem mixed. I think the circumstances involved in the play itself make it hard to judge his acting ability based on this role alone. I found this snippet in Berkshire Review for the Arts

"The linchpin, however, is one person, the remarkable Kit Harrington as Albert, who must convince us that passion for a horse is the moral equivalent of honor in battle... Harrington's intensity of feeling toward Joey is shattering."

Sounds like he could be a Jon Snow. GRRM also mentioned his intensity.

Here's a link:
http://berkshirereview.net/2009/07/14/war-horse-national-theatre-michael-morpurgo-nick-stafford/
for anyone who's interested, they give a pretty good synopsis of the play. It sounds interesting.

@ Anon 12:33

Why would you want to even know about the show if you hadn't read the books? Talk of Ned's head abound on this site several people have profiles named for it. If you hadn't figured out he dies by now, you obviously hadn't been paying much attention to anything here.

- The 40 Year Winter

take THAT, associated press...

...ryan

Ok I was really bored and excited at the same time right now, so I made this in PS real quick to see if Lloyd has the looks for Viserys:

Viserys

xD

@Ryan

FYI You need an edit on your blog! You put "inability to put inaccurate..." :)

Ok here's the link again, I think it didn't work....?

http://img3.imagebanana.com/view/7ynjxnu/lloyd_viserys.jpg

@anonymous 12:38...blatant spoilers are what they are. Ruining the show for people who haven't read the books doesn't help the series any. Maybe you should think a bit before you type. It helps.

Nice us2809!
good job WiC!
Kit is hot.
I <3 GRRM.

Has it ever been ruled out that Tom McCarthy will play any role?

I notice he has a beard these days, certainly didn't last year.

Maybe a minor role. Someone that dies in the Pilot?

well don;t trust a theatre critic on Harrington. Critics are usually wrong. Everyone seems good to go, especially Sean Bean as Ned, with the exception of Mark Addy. I can't see him as Robert. Wasn't Robert big and tall and strong as well as fat? Maybe I only saw him in my mind that way, not sure. If so, Addy doen't fit the role very well, although I like him as an actor. Hopefully, he can pull it off.

Really exciting news.
Somehow I can't see HBO not picking this series up.

us2809 - Ok I was really bored and excited at the same time right now, so I made this in PS real quick to see if Lloyd has the looks for Viserys:

Viserys

xD

Love it!

Marko - I've noticed there is some confusion as to the spelling of Kit's surname. THR got it wrong (or there was a typo in the source material), and there are further misspelled versions abound :) Checking a bit, you can see that the right spelling is with a single R, so HARINGTON. Hope his name soon becomes a household one ;)


Thanks for pointing that out! Googling the correct spelling gets me better results ;) Winter, perhaps you should correct that in your post also.

Anonymous
Ser_not_appearing...can you not post blatant spoilers without a huge SPOILER ALERT or something? It's just rude and disrespectful to anyone who hasn't read the books and just wants news on the show...

Umm, yeah. It'll be very hard to avoid those kinds of spoilers here as this is a place for FANS of the book who are excited about the possible show. I'd suggest you just read WiC's posts and the major magazine website articles AND avoid the comments if you don't want to be spoiled.

@us2809 - Nice job with the photo.

Although I don't think the hair color suits Lloyd very well. :(

Ray: Good call. BTW nice find on the Harington spelling, Marko.

@Ray you might want to read WiC's posts here about spoilers. I believe he asked folks to keep it spoiler free.

@Ray WiC himself asked for people not to put up blatant spoilers. But that's a fair suggestion, about not reading comments. I've read the books 5 times over, but just thinking about people who haven't is all.

Anachronite: I would like to keep it as spoiler free as possible, yes. If you wish to discuss a major spoiler, try to mark it as such in your comment. However in discussions like this I realize that a spoiler here or there may slip out. Just want to avoid spoiling someone unnecessarily is all.

All that being said, any one that comes onto a fan site like this one has to realize that the potential for spoilers is there, especially in the comments. So it is kinda proceed at your own risk, as well.

@Winter: You're welcome. Perhaps you should correct it in the THR quote as well, if you allow yourself that much editing.

"@anonymous 12:38...blatant spoilers are what they are. Ruining the show for people who haven't read the books doesn't help the series any. Maybe you should think a bit before you type. It helps."

It's astonishing that someone who hasn't read very far into the series would even come here and read this stuff. I guess I just find it odd how someone could be a huge fan (hence coming here reading the comments on a blog for a show which doesn't even start filming until October) and come here but have not read the entire series or at least most of it?

Rer: What about Sean Bean fans?

Here are some images of Addy with facial hair. I pictured him as more of a Varys or Dontos, but hey...acting ability and make-up can make any actor into a character.
http://www.revolvingdoorstheatre.co.uk/Images/markaddythumbnail.jpg
http://content7.flixster.com/photo/89/43/15/8943153_tml.jpg

1. Thanks so much for your diligent work, WiC. These updates are often times the highlights of my day!

2. I agree with the comments about HBO "making" actors, and there seems to be enough well known talent to bring fans into the series, which I don't think will be a problem considering True Blood's success with very few named actors and an even smaller book fan-base.

3. All of this recent news seems to tell us that HBO is gearing up to make this show a major endeavor. With the casting investments they've made, I can't help but think that they're going to order at least the first season, and unless the show bombs majorly, they will probably keep it rolling for the entirety of the books. Now if only GRRM can get out the last 3 books before HBO catches up!

Valar Morghulis.

Kit Harington has received a lot of praise from several critics from what i've seen. So i'm not too worried.

Also, i think i trust the people in charge of the casting, anyway.

yes, put up the spoiler alert people. the show creators don't spoil the film when talking about it, they use phrases like (SPOILER ALERT:) "the things i do for love," and we use terms like "the red wedding," for a reason.

just be mindful to those who might only be halfway through book one and excited to see the show get picked up.

@nicole: thanks for that catch. fixed and fixed.

@Børre: i couldn't agree with you more. i feel like we are in great hands with the producers and casting, they have diligently been scouring the globe from nyc to sydney to northern ireland looking for talent. they're digging into the UK stage acting circuit and unearthing young talent.

they know what they're doing. they also know they won't be able to please everyone, but i trust they are ensuring that whomever they cast can "act" and pull off the parts they are reading for.

...ryan

...ryan

I know some people are on the fence about the Robert casting, but I definitely saw him as one of the roles that, with all the interest and auditions, it would be INCREDIBLY hard to cast poorly.

the roles that i think will be easy to cast poorly are robb, the hound, jaime, bran and arya. so, most of the stark children, lol. i worry that bran won't be sweet/serious enough and arya won't be scrappy enough. i've always had SUCH a hard time making a mental picture of robb in my head, which is why i'm nervous they could cast him poorly

for jaime, i don't want them going overboard on him being a heartthrob. i don't even know if anyone even mentions him as being super-hot (ie - everyone swooning over loras), besides the fact that we know the lannister twins are good looking.

there are roles that will be easy to cast right, on the other hand. for me, robert was one of them, with stannis, tywin, bronn and maesters luwin and pycelle being other ones i can think of off the top of my head.

@WiC

I see where you're coming from, just saying that I think it's odd anyone would be trolling around in here if they where not huge GRRM fans is all.

Of course I always follow the rules and I don't post any blatant spoilers, ever.

@WiC

That is a very good point though WiC. I didn't think about it that way and it definitely makes alot more sense when yah put it that way, lol.

Oooo Harry Lloyd. He played a creep prince in The Devil's Whore and was awesome in BBC's Robin Hood. He'll do an excellent job.

Has anyone photoshopped a picture of Dinklage as Tyrion yet? I have a little bit of trouble picturing him as blonde.

Here is a picture of Mark Addy http://www.filmdope.com/Gallery/ActorsA/20649-26512.gif On this picture he look like Robert I imagine. On another hand Sean Bean is a great actor and I have glad that he is casting Ned.

Harry Lloyd from Doctor Who:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4Q_PfNnkpM

@Anonymous 2:03 PM - Good shot of Addy there. Is that from The Order? That's at least one non-comedic film role for him right there. I had completely forgotten about that movie.

I think they definitely trying to channeling some Brian Blessed when choosing Mark Addy, and this picture does give me the right vibes.

Oh, one technical issue, btw: there's a 'Jon' label missing in this post.

@Ashli: here's a blond, bearded, disheveled Dinklage in Narnia I believe:

- Blond Dinklage

...ryan

1. Really excited about the casting news, each of them, even Sean Bean (the rumors were hard to believe).
2. Not worried about bad reviews about individual actors--I'm sure they directors liked what they saw and know what good acting is.
3. SPOILER ALERT: All Men Must Die.
4. To Powers-That-Be: Please find the perfect Catelyn-who-is-clearly-not-Gillian-Anderson.
5. Legion--I totally agree. Sam Neill was to the Tudors what Sean Bean is to GoT. I agree also with other posts that there's probably enough star power, and that the story will have grabbed imaginations by then, enough to put characters and actors into viewers' hearts.

Also:

Ryan's 40 Year Old Winter banner... thanks for the laugh.

Sean Bean is awesome. No arguing there. I'm thrilled that we have a guy like him in these series (even if it is for just one season, no matter if HBO will continue with the next books/seasons).

BUT...

Sean Bean is not a Stark as far as looks go. He lacks the frozen-face-dead-serious-guy aura. Sean Bean, on the contrary, looks cunning and even mischievous, especially when he smiles. I always imagined him as Bronn.

Sigh. You can't please everybody.

I'm sure he'll do a great job, despite the fact that he doesn't quite resemble my mental image of Ned.

Anon @2:27,

I think the same thing. But Sean Bean is definitely a great actor and he's a star, so really he's better as Eddard Stark, and he will be more than fine.

Interesting that Kit Harington is 22. Perhaps they did age Jon Snow up purposefully, and the sides weren't a typo. Maybe for some butt-naked shots of him when he's (SPOILER:) hip-deep in Ygritte.

Still, he looks young. They might be able to get away with saying Jon Snow is 17 or 18. And it's been said the intensity he brought to War Horse was spectacular, especially in his interaction with "Joey." (a puppet horse)

That's like perfect training for CGI acting. If he can love a puppet horse, he can love Ghost.

I want to see him next to the actor playing Robb, whenever we get that.

Do we have an age on the Batman Beyond kid yet?

... Batman Begins, sorry.

I wouldn't be surprised if Steve Buscemi (read: someone unexpected and famous) showed up as a secondary character in hypothetical season 2 or 3, etc, to give a little star-stir, as these shows often like to do.

I can't find anything offical on Gleeson, but I believe he is somewhere in the 16/17 age range.

Are there any more recent images of Jack Gleeson? How old is he? In the photo posted above he looks about 10. Joff is a nasty cry baby, but he's not supposed to look like a little kid.

For that matter, how old is Harington?

I'm surprised there hasn't been more talk on whether or not they've aged up the younger characters (maybe because no one else can tell, either).

@ About Yea High and littleboots

you guys answered my questions just as i was posting.

@yea high...

he's 14, and goes to school in dublin, from what i've gleaned on other boards where people claim to know the boy.

...ryan

also, for laughs, here's dinklage with a kylie minogue hair-do in a feeble impersonation of tyrion, for the kiddies, you know...

- Tyrion the (P)imp

Mua ha ha hahahah.

...ryan

@bardamu

i was wondering this afternoon actually, how many agents were calling the actors they represented, telling them the casting news and how it would be a smart move to get involved in this series.

look out for some 9th inning surprises methinks.

...ryan

@bardamu

Steve Buscemi is supposed to be the lead in Boardwalk Empire, right? So I don't think that's possible.

- The 40 Year Winter

take THAT, associated press...

In all fairness to the Associated Press, that article you linked came from Reuters and it was merely quoting the original Hollywood Reporter article, anyway, which also got it wrong.

JACK GLEESON, as Seamus in A Shine for Rainbows (principle photography last year, 2008, so he's one year older than in this photo:

- Jack Gleeson, 2008

I was basing my age estimate off of comments on the imdb site (via Gleeson's profile there) - posters there claim he was 13/14 during 2005/2006 timeframe. That's why I was guessing 16/17...maybe 18. Honestly don't know though.

@Ryan Dunn

You sure that's a pic of Gleeson and not John Bell? That kid looks nothing like the child from Batman Begins.

"@anonymous 12:38...blatant spoilers are what they are. Ruining the show for people who haven't read the books doesn't help the series any. Maybe you should think a bit before you type. It helps."

Hey, i'm sorry if that spoiled you, i just tend to assume anyone posting here will have at least read the first book.

Ryan: That is actually John Bell.

Here is a link to a trailer for A Shine Of Rainbows. Can't view the trailer here at work, so someone else is going to have to take a look and see if Jack Gleeson shows up in the trailer.

@Brude, fair enough, maybe i'll target my comment a little more.

...ryan

Gleeson, according to the boards on IMDB, was 14 in 2006, so that would make him 17ish now. One commenter said how tiny he was, so maybe he looks younger than 17. I forget how old Joff is in the casting side, but I think Gleeson will pull it off well.

Joff is 13/14 in the side, so a small 17 year old sounds pretty good to me.

ugh, nevermind, I don't think that's him. WiC--can you delete my comment with the link?

Nicole: I had found that pic as well, but wasn't sure if it was Gleeson since the photo is titled "michael and john." I didn't see any Michaels in the cast for A Shine Of Rainbows though, so maybe he goes by Michael now? Or maybe Jack is his stage name? I don't know.

Would love to get a current photo of this kid. Maybe when David & Dan get around to posting on Westeros about this latest batch of casting they will have a recent photo for us.

I don't think the kid in the yellow raincoat is Gleeson either. :( I'm keeping my fingers crossed someone will be able to dig up his professional headshot somewhere.

Jackie Gleason...

Joffrey (Jackie Gleason), shaking fist at Cersei: Lady Mother! Why I oughtta.... To the Moon, Mother! To the Moon!


This was my first thought last night after a quick search of jack gleeson. I thought I'd share if there were any The Honeymooners fans out there.

WiC--when I saw the picture of the blond boy, I was like "it's him!" I didn't bother to read the caption, heh. But that kid might have made a good Joff as well, no?

doh, sorry about the john bell misfire. i think i found jack gleeson though!!

here's some screengrabs from a low-budget fake trailer he and his buddies made i'm pretty sure...

- Jack Gleeson, 2009

- "Painted Chaos" Trailer

the trailer is pretty remarkably terrible, HOWEVER, you can see how this kid might be able to pull off the role, and i'm actually quite excited about his being cast.

...ryan

Nicole: Yeah, understandable. I agree, that kid could have been a passable Joffrey as well. I'm hoping that this Gleeson kid is a bit more of pretty boy though, y'know? We'll see.

Joff is listed in the script as "(13) but tall for his age," which is exactly how he's described in the book. Though only 13, he's of a size with the older Jon Snow and Robb. Joff seems to take after his father, who is also always described as very tall and who won his first tourney melee at only 13.

Ryan: I think you win the "find a pic of Jack Gleeson" sweepstakes! That definitely looks like the kid from Batman Begins. And I can see Joffrey. I like that his voice is still high pitched and whiny, perfect!

I really hope they pick a good actress for Danny, someone who can look it and maybe also have been heard of or at least someone who can pull off looking like i imagine Danny(Gemma Ward is my fav for that role).
Also i love these acting choices especially bean. If they keep up the good work with the show i may actually have to get HBO in fall 2010

Yay! definitely him. btw, that trailer is hilarious!

Something very Macolm McDowell - A Clock Work Orange about how that Gleeson kid looks now.

I saw Harry Lloyd's pics and I said: Theon!
about Kit Harington: I guess I'm the only one, but I can't see him as Jon...

I like this one of Jack Gleeson, if he's older now, but this supernatural "prettyness" and cruely at the same time seem to be in him

http://www.filmdope.com/Gallery/ActorsG/58178-26622.gif

The good news and the not so good news...I think all the catsing calls are great and spot on. One more semi big name, say Gillian Anderson, or someone of that caliber, and HBO will almost certainly give it one year. Unless the creators absolutely screw up somehow. The not so good..., any hope of this series ever getting done is now all but officially gone. Note that in GRRM's postings he is already referring to the production as "we", as in 'we cast this guy...' Remember, this was a TV guy who turned back to novels after TV stopped calling. "Dance/Dragons" is still not done, and he just returned from FinnCon, is on his way to WorldCon, and will probably be off to Ireland for the October shoot. In between he is posting to his blog several times a day hocking old material and miniatures. He even was slick enough to throw out some bone about making good progress on the book right before he hit us with the convention tour schedule. It is the same old gripe, and I know we are all sick of hearing it, but the birth of the HBO series spells the end of the story, or worse, a greatly rushed and watrered down version of its ending (sort of like "Feast" was already becoming). Do the math, if the final books (Dance plus two more)of the story take even HALF as long to write as "Dance/Dragons", HBO will get to that part of the story before he does. IF the TV series lasts. If that happens, we get screenplay versions of the story ending. Guess it would be better than nothing, but who would be writing them at that point? We'll be lucky if the series turns out like Rome, One good year, then an abbreviated second season.

@Ryan Dunn

Wow. Nice find! He does look and sound fairly young - they just need to do something with that mop of hair he has. :)

Dizzy--that's really interesting, I always imagined Tywin as a Malcolm McDowell type. But I definitely see what you mean! I guess McDowell has always had the crazy/evil Lannister thing down. Um, Caligula?

like i imagine Danny(Gemma Ward is my fav for that role).

Ward does have a great look for the part, though she is like 6' tall (or near enough), and Dany is supposed to be pretty petite - tiny next to Drogo and really all of her protectors, like Jorah and the Bloodriders. This can be cheated and it's not the most important thing for the part, just something to consider. Also, it could work to make her seem more regal once she comes into her full power and majesty.

I'm not familiar with her acting, so I can't comment there, but boy, she's got some ethereal beauty, that girl.

good news, he's older than that trailer i sent, here's proof:

- Jack Gleeson, 2009 (no, really!)

- "A Shine of Rainbows" Trailer

he's only in a couple of shots, but he's basically the dark haired boy telling the hero orphan boy about the island he's moved to.

...ryan

btw, THIS was always who Dany was in my mind, as I read the books (only blonder-er)...

- Tania Raymonde

...ryan

I always thought Rutger Hauer would be a phenomenal Tywin, but he's probably too old.

rutger hauer is how i pictured tywin also, and i don't think he's too old is he?

...ryan

Rutger Hauer is about 65ish? So, no, I don't think he'd be too old. And I think he would make a great Tywin.

This is my Dany. I think it's ESSENTIAL that she has a sort of really, really unorthodox beauty.

http://www.etapetki.com.pl/galleries/znane/B/Emily_Browning/Emily_Browning_j4.JPG

(in case anyone's unfamiliar, that's Emily Browning. I think she's been in a "dream casting" or two)

If this isn't the Lord of Casterly Rock, then my name isn't...

- Rutger Hauer is Tywin Lannister

...ryan

Ryan Dunn, you're not the Ryan Dunn of Jackass fame are you?

@Stalin

I sure hope not. My wife would kill me.

...ryan

I'd love to see Charles Dance as Tywin.

Need top-heavy actresses.

@ Ashli

-Nice pic of Emily Browning. Good point about her looks. Is she in the running at all? I'm not familiar with her.

good work winteriscoming...Hope to see Micheal Hogan as Tywin and Lina Leanderson as Arya.

Just to add to Ryan Dunn's great finds on Jack Gleeson. I'm pretty sure this is him, in the centre in the red cape, from January 2009.

The problem with Hogan is I'll just keep seeing Colonel Tigh. Lina Leandersson...I don't know if she would fit the description, but I loved Let The Right One In and want to see her in more.

I agree about Arya Coltaine777. I'd also still like to see Holly Bodimeade as Sansa. I hope at least one of my casting predictions comes true!

I always imagined Ed Harris as Tywin.

I would love to see Sansa played by Jodelle Ferland (Tideland, Silent Hill), who will be 15 in October, though I bet the children will be all UK or Irish talent.

- Jodelle Ferland Pic

- Jodelle Ferland Gallery

...ryan

First thing I thought when I saw Harry Lloyds name was that he was cast as Theon.

Will be good as Viserys as well though.

Damn, I am even more excited now! So far (besides the relatively unknowns with only small parts like Lloyd, Harington, etc.) the actors cast are actually the people I pictured in my mind. This is great.

@Ryan Dunn
Your Lord of Casterly Rock has too much hair. I was under the impression that he shaved his head and also that he had a beard.

And the Sansa casting, it needs to be a 18yo girl so she can do the nude scenes, or at least 17 so she'll be 18 by the time they get there.

if there's one thing I'm sure of, it's that hair can be changed. Rutger Hauer is an excellent actor who can carry himself with the grace, confidence, and ice chill demeanor of Tywin, don't you think?

Regarding Sansa, yes jodelles a bit too young. That's still who I envision in the books though!!

...ryan

Imo Ferland might be quite good as Arya, not so much as Sansa. Ferland has something wild/mischievous in her appearance, like Arya should. At least judging by the pictures, haven't seen her acting anywhere afaik.

@ Ashli: According to GGRM, casting has continued "most recently in Australia".

Emily Browning is Australian (although I'm not sure that's where she still lives). I agree that she has an unusual sort of beauty that would fit the part of Dany.

I think Gemma Ward would be a perfect Dany.

I find it hard to believe that it will not go forward as a series after this.

Gemma Ward and Emily Browning are both Australian actresses and according to GRRM, HBO has recently been casting in Australia.

Are there any other Australians who have been discussed as casting possibilities?

There's Emily de Ravin, from LOST and Brick, who is now only in occasional episodes of LOST, since her incident as Claire. Who might she be good as, anyone?

...ryan

De Ravin is back full-time for Season 6 of LOST, which overlaps the shooting of the pilot (which is the same reason Josh Holloway has been dismissed as a contender for Jaime Lannister, apart from his apparent issue doing accents). She could of course appear later in S1 and then in later seasons, but I'm not immediately thinking of a role for her. She's too young to be Cersei and too old to be Dany (and not really a fit in either case).

addy will make a brilliant robert...robert is nothing lordlike...hes a comical slob and i think addy was the perfect choice...if you saw him in a knights tale he can sure pull off the part

Isnt Robert Baratheon supposed to be pretty tall? Mark Addy isnt, not by a long shot. So I hope they make him where some kind of special boots to give him a few extra inches..

Addy is listed at 5'10" and Robert is supposed to be something on the order of 6'5", Ned like 5'11 or 6 '0.

We got Bean!!! WOOHOO!!!

There are camera tricks that can make him look taller.

I agree above that Charles Dance would be a pretty impressive Tywin, Ed Harris certainly has the ability to pull it off I just imagined him a bit thinner, taller, and older.
Regardless, acting ability I think is always more important than appearance.

Kit Harrington looks PERFECT as Jon Snow
here is proof: This is a new photo of him-

http://tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:K0j7-mj2iWMwJM:http://www.facebook.com/profile/pic.php%3Fuid%3DAAAAAQAQhL5l1dWaAt14PGb95d7xKwAAAAjKRzGn-TcxMw%252C%252C

@Anonymous

"The good news and the not so good news...I think all the catsing calls are great and spot on. One more semi big name, say Gillian Anderson, or someone of that caliber, and HBO will almost certainly give it one year. Unless the creators absolutely screw up somehow. The not so good..., any hope of this series ever getting done is now all but officially gone. Note that in GRRM's postings he is already referring to the production as "we", as in 'we cast this guy...' Remember, this was a TV guy who turned back to novels after TV stopped calling. "Dance/Dragons" is still not done, and he just returned from FinnCon, is on his way to WorldCon, and will probably be off to Ireland for the October shoot. In between he is posting to his blog several times a day hocking old material and miniatures. He even was slick enough to throw out some bone about making good progress on the book right before he hit us with the convention tour schedule. It is the same old gripe, and I know we are all sick of hearing it, but the birth of the HBO series spells the end of the story, or worse, a greatly rushed and watrered down version of its ending (sort of like "Feast" was already becoming). Do the math, if the final books (Dance plus two more)of the story take even HALF as long to write as "Dance/Dragons", HBO will get to that part of the story before he does. IF the TV series lasts. If that happens, we get screenplay versions of the story ending. Guess it would be better than nothing, but who would be writing them at that point? We'll be lucky if the series turns out like Rome, One good year, then an abbreviated second season."

First off don't take this as an insult, but I think you're making a lot of assumptions. Also the series is GRRM's intellectual property, so it's his do with as he wishes (good or bad, I hope he goes with good).

Also your argument is a very heated one that has been pounded over time and again and most people are split on the issue. GRRM himself has even posted on his site about this very issue/claim and he's aware of this line of thought that you bring up.

When I first heard about HBO ordering a pilot for thrones i doubted that it was going to get picked up.
over the last 9 months or so things have been looking good, especially with quality of directors, actors etc....
I highly doubt that Sean Bean would've got the role if they weren't definitely going to go ahead with one season...so this settles it for me

Curious that David and Dan have been so quiet since this big news about Bean dropped. I believe they posted some comments on Westeros when Dinklage was cast.

Why nothing this time around? They have to know we're all dying for an update from them at this point. Maybe they're waiting for the rest of the major roles to be cast??

@TGrando357

Damn, I am even more excited now! So far (besides the relatively unknowns with only small parts like Lloyd, Harington, etc.) the actors cast are actually the people I pictured in my mind.

Harington playing a small part? Have you even read the books?

(SPOILER) Jon Snow is one of the most important characters, and survives at least to book 5 while Addy, for instance, dies relatively early in season/book 1. (/SPOILER)

@RitariKnight

Really good point. Jon Snow plays such an important role, also he is probably close to the top of the "my favorite characters" selection for a lot of folks.

Jon snow on youtube

23k views :)

@WiC

Speaking of favorite characters. Have you ever thought about throwing out a poll for people's favorite characters? Might have done it before and I missed it but if you haven't I think it would be interesting to see who everyone's favorites are! Just a thought.

I don't think anyone posted this link yet:
Slashfilm blog - Blogging the real world writes a short entry about the new casting. Not nearly as thourough as The Wertzone one, but it's a big blog, and I've been approached by people saying: oh, look, there's this show you've been talking about mentioned on the film and tv blog I follow!

Correction: the reel* world - the pun got the best of me :P

Holy sh-t, the little boy in Batman Begins is Joffrey!

@ Mr. Cereal

Where yah been haha

Re Sansa casting - the casting brief that went out was 13-14 year olds so Jodelle might not be too young. Unless they are lucky enough to find a 16 year old who can pass for 13 - as they have with Jack Gleeson. In that photo of him I posted earlier it shows how small he is compared to his peers (they're all 5th formers i.e. aged 15-16 years)

Hey, what do you think about this guy? I think he has the looks for Jaime:

http://www.imdb.com/media/rm119116800/nm0655585

http://www.imdb.com/media/rm1391958272/nm0655585

http://www.mtv.com/onair/room_401/images/host/host_281x211.jpg

@anon

I think he has the right look for Jaime. The kicker is that the person who plays Cersei would have to look similar to the Jaime actor, so I'm guessing the two roles are gonna be tougher then finding someone who just looks the part.