Cool News
UPDATED WITH PICS & VIDEO!!
Comic-Con: Game of Thrones announces a Season 3 premiere date and tons of cast, including Dame Diana Rigg!
Ahoy, squirts! Quint here just as the big Game of Thrones panel comes to an end. They didn’t show any footage as they just began shooting Season 3. But here’s the big news:
-Season 3 premieres on HBO March 31st, 2013!
And some Season 3 casting:
-Dame Diana Rigg (The Avengers, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service) as Olenna Tyrell, the Queen of Thorns

-Mackenzie Crook from The Office and Pirates films will play a wilding called Orell

-Clive Russell will be playing Bryndon “Blackfish” Tully.

-Young Nathalie Emannuel will play Missandei, a slave.

-Tobias Menzies plays Catelyn’s brother Edmure Tully

-Paul Kaye plays Thoros of Myr

-Thomas Brodie-Sangster plays Jojen Reed… You’ll recognize him from the Narnia films.

-Ellie Kendrick plays Jojen’s sister, Meera.

-Kerry Ingram plays Stannis Baratheon’s child, Shireen.

-Tara Fitzgerald plays Shireen’s mother, Selyse.

-Richard Dormer is Beric Dondarrion

-Kristofer Hivju is Tormund Giantsbane, chief lieutenant of the King Beyond the Wall.

-Philip McGinley plays Anguy

HBO also released this casting announcement video right after the panel ended, so here's a second look at all the new cast in motion.
The panel was moderated by George RR Martin and boy, that guy is a horn dog! I mean, I probably should have known that from the scenarios and characters he came up with, but he would not stop talking about boobies and kept grilling the cast (especially Alfie Allen) about their sex scenes.
In other words he’s the perfect Comic-Con moderator.
It was an odd panel in that it didn’t feel like they were ready to really promote Season 3, so it was just some of the cast hanging out and chatting with fans.
On the panel were Kit Harington (Jon Snow), Emelia Clarke (Khaleesi), Michelle Fairley (Catelyn Stark), Alfie Allen (Theon Greyjoy), Richard Madden (Robb Stark) and Rose Leslie (Ygritte).
-In Season 2, heads of show David Benioff and Dan Minahan gave Alfie a fake script that had him die at the end of the season, expecting him to freak out. He actually liked it and took it in stride. So, he got a call… “Hey, so did you see the script?” “Yeah, it’s good. It’s a great way to go out.” “We had another thought. How would you feel about being a zombie?” “Well, I’d be down.” “A naked zombie with no lines…” “Okay, you’re having me on!”
-Rose Leslie pondered what wildling Ygritte would be like on Downton Abby (she plays Gwen Dawson on that show). She didn’t think it’d be very pretty, but very entertaining.
-In the dream sequence, the baby that was supposed to be Drogo’s and Daenerys Targaryen’s child apparently farted a lot (Comic-Con Exclusive Info!)
-When asked about the costumes, Warner quipped: “I, for one, enjoyed wearing a costume in Season 2.”
-Richard Madden thought back on the different locations he shot in and said that Winterfell was by far his favorite place to shoot. They apparently burned incense while shooting there and he was at his happiest being in Winterfell, much like his character.
-The last bit that jumped out to me as being pretty cool was Martin talking about turtles… He claims the turtle as his own personal sigul because when he was a kid he lived in the projects in New Jersey and they didn’t allow cats and dogs, so he had to get more untraditional pets. He had a ton of dime store turtles that were his friends. He gave them names and came up with backstories, friendships and betrayals and all that was the seeds of what eventually became Game of Thrones.
The audience loved them, it was a pleasure seeing them interact with everybody and hearing the responses as they announced the new cast. As a big fan of the show that hasn’t ever read the books it was fascinating hearing people reacting to characters I will be a huge fan of next year.
-Eric Vespe
”Quint”
quint@aintitcool.com
Follow Me On Twitter

Readers Talkback
comments powered by Disqus-
+ Expand All
-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rpSDSgChsaI
-
Make it so.
-
He isn't in any Narnia movies. I'll help. You may remember him from Love, Actually. He played Liam Neeson's kid.
-
I hope the producers take a page from Twitter and impose a character limit of 140...ZINGGGG!!! *rimshot*
-
July 13, 2012, 6:54 p.m. CST
Diana Rigg must have a new agent...or else the UK casting peeps have suddenly realised she's still alive.
by Stegman84
First Doctor Who, and now Game of Thrones. Good news though, she's quality.
-
July 13, 2012, 6:58 p.m. CST
We still need Ramsay and Mance...they're really the ones everyone is waiting for.
by Sardonic
-
for a chance to meet her, i woulda pulled a twilight
-
Please. With long hair it would work.
-
He's the right age and his eyes are terrifying. Could totally see it happening. Rob James-Collier is also a good pick. Either of them would be great. Of course in the end, it'll probably be someone we've never heard of.
-
July 13, 2012, 7:21 p.m. CST
The kid who plays Jojen was in the same Dr. Who episodes (human nature/family of blood) as the dude who plays Veserys in s1
by Rebel Scumb
-
July 13, 2012, 7:23 p.m. CST
iwan rheon for ramsay, good call clabog592, that's exactly how I pictured him
by Rebel Scumb
-
July 13, 2012, 7:26 p.m. CST
I wonder why they didn't bring back David Michael Scott as Beric Dondarrion from season1?
by Rebel Scumb
He was only in that one scene, but he did get featured to set him up for season3, and even had a line. Can't imagine that dude would turn down the role
-
Has he been cast in the next one or is Quint just being racist again...Not all honkies look alike Quint
-
I've only read the first two books, but I've been looking forward to seeing these two characters on-screen. Someone above mentioned Thoros being black, but I didn't get that impression based on the first two books. I know he is fat and bald, though, and slathers his sword in dragon's fire to make it flame during battle. That will be cool. Also, Beric is one of the more bad-ass characters in the books. He fucks up a lot of shit for the Lannisters and co. It will be interesting to see him.
-
Are they going to put him off until the 4th season?
-
July 13, 2012, 8:05 p.m. CST
Thoros isn't black in the books. Black people in the books come from the Summer Isles
by heylookoverthere
And Thoros of Myr is from, wait for it.....Myr.
-
July 13, 2012, 8:11 p.m. CST
archer1949, unless we hear about Alfie Allen sitting next season out, Ramsey will be there.
by heylookoverthere
-
I could watch a whole series of just them dispensing justice and protecting the smallfolk.
-
great casting.. exactly what I had in mind. Paul Kaye was not what I expect for Thoros, I expect that will change once the season starts. Nathalie Emannuel... a bit too old to play Missandei but I'll take it.. this one can only hope she get's naked... And correction, black folks were from lots of places besides the summer isles, like Lys to name one. Although the darkest people were found in the summer isles due to climate/sun. Bring on Season 3!!!!
-
Amazing casting. That is just a touch of class. That being said, S3 seems like it's going to be the season where the casual fans fall off -- not sure how anyone who hasn't read the books is going to be able to keep up anymore.
-
http://vimeo.com/45300802 I'm pretty sure they'll included some stuff with him and Theon this coming season.
-
But isn't there also a Red Priest from the Summer Isles? Who am I thinking of.
-
And Peter Mullan for Mance Rayder. Make it happen.
-
Plenty of British actors to cast somewhere or another.
-
It's difficult to say, there are a lot of characters but the stories themselves are pretty straightforward My gut feeling has always been 4 seasons (covering books 1-3) then HBO abruptly pulls the plug without warning. Hopefully I'm wrong!
-
The kid has been in a lot of things including playing Paul McCartney in no where boy ferb in Phineas and ferb and the twins in the spiderwick chronicles. And yes in doctor who and love actually. None of those things are Narnia.
-
Because it works for me.
-
No complaints, although I don’t know anything about the woman playing the Queen of Thorns. Hopefully she is good.
-
but they all look the parts reasonably enough.
-
I can't believe Paul Kaye ( AKA 'Dennis Pennis' ) has been cast as the flaming sword wielding Thoros of Myr. Dennis Pennis as some of you may know is a fictional ' Celebrity interviewer ' responsible for some of the most hilarious and downright cringeworthy 'red carpet' interviews in tv history. Check him out on Youtube and I swear you will laugh your ass off. Dennis once asked Steve Martin ' How come you're not funny anymore ' . To his FACE. He also followed Jim Carrey around, making poor Jim look VERY uncomfortable
-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-RttNgkaAs
-
...http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=cesJwsBkzKQ Thank me later
-
July 13, 2012, 10:45 p.m. CST
1) Perfect casting 2) RW will blow your fuckin' minds. YOUR FUCKIN' MINDS!
by Razorback
No spoilers. But it will (season 3 finale, or thereabout).
-
Thanks.
-
July 13, 2012, 10:56 p.m. CST
You pussies bitching about sex scenes better not have cost us any nude/sex scenes involving Nathalie Emannuel.
by TopHat
-
I believe the guy you are thinking of is the red priest Moqorro
-
All I want to see is if Rose Leslie's carpets match her drapes. That woman is stunning. Can't believe we have to wait to see her undressed till next March. GRRR
-
July 14, 2012, 12:18 a.m. CST
Missandi's supposed to be ten years old, but I guess Khaleesi needs some new grown-up hotties in her entourage
by Adelai Niska
The one I'm most curious about is Qyburn.
-
Woefully miscast...... Was excited until I read who was playing him, should've been an older gentleman instead of Dennis pennis
-
Yeah now it's all coming back to me. I really need to reread the books, I feel like there was a lot of things I didn't fully absorb,
-
July 14, 2012, 7:27 a.m. CST
Hopefully they are able to fully realize all the epic stuff for Dany's story this season, and not cheap out like they did with Qarth
by Rebel Scumb
The production values and scope of this show have been so great, but most of Season2 of Dany's stuff felt like it could have come from SG1. We never even got a proper establishing shot of Qarth to show it was in fact a huge city, we just saw a couple of rooms, and like 15 white extras. I love that they are shooting the show in all these far off countries, but Qarth is one place where they might have benefited from just shooting in LA or Vancouver, where it would be cheap, and they could get a big multicultural cast. Otherwise, no complaints this show is awesome and much needed after the death of all the great geek shows of the last decade like 24, BSG, Lost, etc.
-
When asked about the costumes, Warner quipped: “I, for one, enjoyed wearing a costume in Season 2.” I don't see that name anywhere else in the article.
-
July 14, 2012, 8:38 a.m. CST
That Jojen kid has the biggest voice/appearance disparity since Rick Astley
by bah
-
July 14, 2012, 10:22 a.m. CST
Good catch Bah, I'm not sure who Warner is supposed to be
by Rebel Scumb
-
Bumped into Rose Leslie at the London Film and Comic con last weekend. (which is, of course, nowhere near the scale of the SDCC). She is tiny. I were tempted to put her in my pocket and take her home with me. and the guy with the beard best keep it. even if he cant act, the beard will win an emmy
-
Emilia Clarke (who plays Daenerys Targaryen) added that she very much enjoyed traveling to Quarth and that the changes in her Quarthian gown were made to keep her warmer. "I, for one, enjoyed wearing a costume," she said, making reference to her scantily clad first season.
-
here: http://on.mtv.com/PWELwQ
-
Can't have Shireen without Patchface. I know. I know. Oh Oh Oh.
-
yes even the kids. is that going too far on this website or not far enough?
-
She should be downright dour and have a mustache a bit. Other than that looks damn great overall, and they sure made Brienne a pretty ugly beast for the show, so I imagine selyse will be uglied up as well.
-
July 14, 2012, 3:02 p.m. CST
I still can't decide if Patchface is the Jar Jar of aSoI&F or the Palpatine
by Rebel Scumb
It feels like it could only be one or the other
-
cuz they seem younger (but I started on book 3 so I missed their descriptions)
-
so cute and nice ass (check out her misfits ep)
-
my gotddiction was under control until today...now i been readin the wiki all day. march is too far out!
-
She is only like ten years old in the book. It was some bed slave Dany freed, I think.
-
Azor Ahai reborn.
-
July 15, 2012, 2:19 a.m. CST
all ive done since this announcement was read theories about twow
by yourSTEPDADDY
got home, continued reading about possible theories... to put it in context as how much i love this show/book series, i havent smoked any of my weed yet after a long hard day of work in short... Game of Thrones is more addictive to me than actual drugs
-
i would love to see David Tennant in Game of Thrones Mance would be a great role just wish they would have cast Christopher Eccleston for Stannis you would have 9 and 10 on Game of thrones then
-
July 15, 2012, 8:28 a.m. CST
Did they verify Storm of Swords is being split into 2 seasons due to the book's length?
by obijuanmartinez
-
July 15, 2012, 8:32 a.m. CST
@franks_tv: I just hope we get BB singing his rousing rendition of "The Bear and the Maiden Fair"!
by obijuanmartinez
-
July 15, 2012, 9:03 a.m. CST
how'd they turn Missandei from a little translator kid into a full-blown hottie? AWESOME!
by obijuanmartinez
-
July 15, 2012, 9:04 a.m. CST
But when I think of Missandei, I can't help but think of the pidgin "Engrish" dialect Roy Dotrice gave her in the audio books!
by obijuanmartinez
-
July 15, 2012, 10:44 a.m. CST
obijuanmartinez, yes Storm of Swords has been split into two season
by heylookoverthere
The question is how will season three end. I'm sorta hoping they push the RW off to early season 4.
-
I say Part 1 / Season 3 = Red Wedding would be good. This way you don't steal momentum from Joffrey's wedding / Tyrion trial / Sansa & Littlefinger leaving for The Vale / The Mountain vs. Oberyn / Death of Lysa Arryn, and of course, Tyrion's escape & final reckoning w/ Lord Tywin (on the crapper, no less) - This is all stuff that unfolds in the second half of the novel (almost makes the RW seem like small potatoes!)
-
Yeah that makes sense. I just feel like by now the audience will expect an end of season blow to the nuts.
-
Agreed, the RW makes the most sense for either episode 9 or 10 of Season 3 (since they seem to have the bigger shocker in their 9th episode each year and then the finale is more of a wrap up) The final events of of book 3, Tyrion & Shaye, Tyrion & Tywin, Sansa Littlefinger & Lysa, Stanis & Jon and the reveal of stoneface is going to make for an absolutely INSANE season 4 finale. That's like 5 seasons worth of game changers.
-
July 15, 2012, 7:48 p.m. CST
@rebel & @heylook: AND...as if they didn't have enough there, you still have to somehow fit in (SPOILERS)
by obijuanmartinez
The Hound / Arya's voyage to the Red Wedding & beyond, Jaime Lannister's maiming / freeing Brienne from the Brave Companions, Delicious Targaryen's conquests in Yunkai & Mereen (not to mention building the army of Unsullied), the siege of the Wall by Mance & Co. / the coming of Stannis + Melisandre + army to the Wall (and battle w/ the Wildings), and Jon's election to Lord Commander...oh, and of course Bran, Jojen & Meera's travels! Jesus, they might not even be able to cover that in 2 @ 10-episode seasons!
-
I think it will work fine, the stuff I mentioned before can easily fit into the season finale. Battle at the wall & the mountain vs the viper can be the 9th episode. I think they'll be fine with spreading book 3 over 2 seasons. People keep talking about 3 like it's so much bigger than the others, it's more just that the events that happen are more memorable and game changing, but actual page countwise I think it's shorter than Clash of Kings, at least just comparing the thickness of my paperbacks to each other it is. Regardless its definitely not like the Potter films where with book4 they suddenly doubled in size. But I do agree 3 is best served by being 2 seasons, there are so many amazing moments in that one, especialy the second half, that not just time wise it will be better to give them each their due amount of screen time, but from a budget standpoint helps to have more money thrown at them. Plus who knows when Martin will finish the last 2 books, so no reason not to drag this out...
-
How many times does she have to say that she is Danerys Targaryan? Danerys Stormborn?
-
Some of those actors look exactly as described in the books.
-
pretty sure it was published as two books in most countries, but it's not that much longer than clash of kings.
Top Talkbacks
- Harry dives into STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS' spoilers to reveal the truth behind the blockbuster we're seeing! -- 793 total posts 20 posts
- Nordling Reviews STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS! Spoilers Abound! You Are Warned! -- 1156 total posts 15 posts
- ‘Darkness Will Devour Them All!!’ Sunday Brings Antepenultimate GAME OF THRONES For HBO!! -- 231 total posts 13 posts
- UPDATE The Friday Docback Calls 'The Name of the Doctor'!! DOCTOR WHO's S7 Finale Arrives This Weekend!! Now With Glen's Ultra-Brief, SPOILER FREE MiniReview!! -- 444 total posts 8 posts
- Harry gets seriously geeky on the very geeky cool STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS! Can't wait for the next one! & See this again! -- 1438 total posts 6 posts
- Here's A Behind-The-Scenes Look At MAN OF STEEL With New Footage! Also... Is Supergirl In The Prequel Comic? -- 241 total posts 5 posts
- Hey! Fat Face! Here's The New Teaser To ANCHORMAN: THE LEGEND CONTINUES! -- 238 total posts 4 posts
-
Ben Affleck Tonight Hosts
SNL’s 38th Season Finale!! -- 75 total posts 3 posts -
‘You Cannot Go On Like This!!’
Sunday Brings MAD MEN 6.8!! -- 24 total posts 2 posts - New PACIFIC RIM Trailer Takes A Battleship Upside The Head Of Every Other Summer Movie Trailer! -- 293 total posts 2 posts

