4. Asha Greyjoy
Theon's got a sister as well as a dear old dad. She's feisty, rebels against her society's restraints against women, and is introduced in a very surprising way. It's going to take a great actress to capture her spirit and charm. Rumors have circulated that Asha's name has been changed to Yara for the series, to avoid confusion with the already introduced wildling woman Osha. It's also rumored that Asha/Yara has been cast, and will be portrayed by actress Gemma Whelan (pictured right, though there's no official confirmation regarding her casting).
3. Roose Bolton
Roose Bolton's just a thorn in everybody's side. A cunning and ultimately despicable character, Bolton's surprisingly fighting on the side of Robb Stark, against the Lannisters. Called the "Leech Lord" because of his regular leechings (for his health), Bolton's a pale, gaunt figure who is mild-mannered yet cruel. He'll have a very major part to play in future events, and it's important to get the casting right. I'm thinking that this is perhaps a better role for Christopher Eccleston to play, or perhaps Benedict Cumberbatch.
2. Ygritte
The wildling woman Ygritte won't pop up in Jon Snow's storyline until the very tail end of season two, but her importance in the third book requires a capable actress. And by capable, I mean that she must have red hair and be able to make the line "You know nothing, Jon Snow," sound both condescending and sexy.
1. Jaqen H'ghar
Readers of the book probably had already guessed that Jaqen H'ghar (imagined left by fan artist Amok) would claim the number one spot. He's arguably the coolest new character introduced in the book, both in his manner of speech and his overall nature. The fact that he appeared under a massive hood in the first season finale means that the show wants to cast the right person as the assassin who comes to owe a life debt to Arya Stark. I'll be watching with great interest to see who they cook up.
Valar morghulis.
Game of Thrones will return for its second season in spring 2012.
Why is it surprising that Roose Bolton is fighting alongside Robb Stark? He's from the North, and Robb is his liege lord.
because he's a scummy creep, and robb is just and against the kind of cruelty that the boltons make their bread and butter. as for benedict cumberbatch, aka bbc's sherlock, he is 20 years too young for roose. roose has a bastard son benedict's age. plus, dude's busy with sherlock and the hobbit; don't see him taking any other roles any time soon.
You know nothing, Jon
I loled at "you know nothing Jon"
I doubt they will cast Vargo Hoat this season, he doesn't really do anything until ASOS. I'm interested to see who they get for Craster and Ramsay Snow, Roose's bastard son (Sean Harris hopefully). I think they're also casting Xaro Xhoan Daxos and Dolorous Edd, two new relatively minor roles.
Dolorous Edd = Eddie Izzard. Period.
Well since they're moving up Jaime's storyline, the season will probably end with their, uh, meeting… So, not too important, but they will need him cast.
Having watched Bean in the Black Death, I go with co-star Eddie Redmayne as Jaqen H'ghar. I also think Andy Nyman would make a good Dontos Hollard.
What about Brienne? I feel like she's got to be a fairly important cast of note. I'd be interested to see who fills that role.
already been cast.
Mackenzie Crook would be an awful Vargo Hoat. I wouldn't necessarily say he is a farcical character either. You need someone really disgusting and brutal maybe Ray Winstone or actually any of the actors from Dead Man Shoes (a film for the not faint of heart!)
Brienne's already been cast, read the first paragraph again. :V
What about Jojen and Meera Reed?
I'd forgotten they popped up in book 2. Sorry for leaving them out (though my excuse is that I really, really hate Jojen).
There's a bunch of characters that need to be cast. Craster, Gilly, Qhorin Halfhand (that's actually a major one), Aeron Damphair, Amory Lorch, The Lord O'Bones, The Walders, Strong Belwas (though he doesn't appear til the very end of ACOK) & the Southron Lords (Mace Tyrell, Mathis Rowan, Randyll Tarly etc.).
Since they are naturally going to take certain liberties with the TV show versus the book, why not go with the theory that Jaqen is actually Syrio? Maybe find a way to make it a big reveal a few episodes in or something…
That is a horrible idea. The reason I'm loving this show so much is because they haven't taken any major liberties. It's one thing to not include characters in the series until they start getting important (for example, I don't think we ever see Joffery's siblings) because there is only ~10 hours to try and tell the whole story, but completely changing characters like that, you might as well say it Ned escaped and somebody who looked like him got executed, and is now across the sea trying to arrange a marriage between Rob Stark and Daenarys while Jaime and Cersei publicly admit they have been sleeping with each other and then Jaime goes and surrenders to Catelyn for the attempted murder of Bran.
They must be Jaquen H'ghar and Jeyne Westerling.
Podrick Payne = Devon Murray. He's who I picture as I'm reading.
Isn't Arys Oakheart introduced in book 2 to become a more important character in book 4? I've always liked the idea of a James Purefoy type playing him, I think that would be great
What about Jeyne? She's rather minor, but still of note…
Jeyne is hardly a minor character
They already cast Jaqen H'ghar he was the blonde guy in the cage that Arya looks at when she starts the journey with Yoren at the end of Season 1, which is actually the beginning of Clash of Kings.
Rorge and Biter were in the cage/wagon with him.
No, Jaquen was concealed completely with a large hood. You couldn't see anything.
I cannot wait for season two of "Game Of Thrones". I hope they cast people who will enjoy the part and actually put their all into it. I would even audition for the show if I knew how. :)
I'm most curious to see who they cast to be Jaquen, Reek/Ramsay, Jojen, and Meera. Since shooting will already start, I hope they release new casting info soon.
'Reek' is already in the show :P
REEK from AcoK is Ramsay Snow and is not in the show
It's an ADWD joke. There's another Reek now…
What about Edmure?!
And the blackfish?
In my opinion Julian Richings would be perfect for the role of Roose Bolton, he cane deliver a very cold and menacing perfomance, just see his work as Death in Supernatural.
Jaqen, Meera, Jojen, Roose and Ramsay are the most important ones IMO.
Valar dohaeris.
Can *totally* see Mackenzie Crook as the Goat saying "Thapphireth…" :D
I'm not sure how great of a casting job it as for Lady Melisandre… same casting error as the Last Airbender. I'm disappointed. On the other hand, Liam Cunnigham as Davos Seaworth is pretty great :)
How is the woman picked for Melisandre a miscast? And why do some people seem to think she is supposed to be Asian? There's no description in the books to support that. None of the artwork for her has depicted her as Asian.
I always pictured Melisandre being a Redhead with long hair and white porcelain skin and big red eyes under arched shaped browns… I think Asians has nothing to do with this character…
Cumberbatch is way too young to play either of the Boltons.
Jarred Harris as Roose Bolton. Check out his current main pic at imdb – bearded. Perfect!
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0364813/
This guy looks pretty much how I imagined Roose Bolton, with much paler blue ice, but with that kind of look.
I had always pictured Tobin Bell, but he's a bit too old now maybe.
Harris looks like he could do a good job, a little paler and I'd buy it.
That guy is perfect! Exactly how I pictured him! Good call.
Where is Edmure and Brynden The Black Fish?!?!?!
Yeah, Jojen is a little creepy. I think Vargo Hoat has to look more robust. I love his speech impediment. I think he should sound like MIKE TITHON. HEHEHE. Ugh, Asha's name should remaine the same. Sheesh. I don't think that girl is hott enough. Jaquen is supposed to be a hottie, too. Please, keep the hotties coming. I look forward to seeing HODOR!
Hodor has already been seen several times, including one very revealing scene in the weirwood at Winterfell.
What about the Blackfish?
Where do I sign up?
Also, I really hope they don't change Asha's name. What would be the point? There are a ton of characters in the books with the same or similar names, and keeping track of everyone is half the fun!
ygrette should be played by bonnie wright aka ginny weasley
jaquen should be played by tony curran aka markus from underworld
roose should be bill nighy or vladimir kulich or stellan skarsgard
asha greyjoy should be eva green
podric should be thomas brodie sangster
balon greyjoy should be malcolm mcdowell
vargo should be vincent regan aka the captain from 300 or toby kebbell
qhorin should be ray winstone aka bors from king arthur
ramsey should be james purefoy or cillian murphy
edmure tully should be kevin mckidd
the blackfish should be peter otoole
strong belweis should be the fat guy from 300 that paid off the oracles
mace tyrell should be tom wilkinson
oh yea lady melisandre should have been helena bonham carter
In my mind I see Felicia Day as Ygritte, other than don't know how she would do on accent work would think she would be perfect…
Thank god you are not in charge of casting Marcus. Helena b carter would make a terrible melissandre. Additionally cillian Murphy is way too young to play roose. How old would Ramsay be then? 5?
Scuse me but I misread and mixed up roose with ramsay. Cillian Murphy is too old to be Ramsay, and too young to be roose. Great actor and would love to see him on screen more but he doesn't quite fit the bill
What about the crannogmen Meera & Jojen Reed? He's my favourite damn character and an important one in Bran's story ark. I swear! if I had continued acting after high school, had a passport and work Visa for Ireland I would hop on a plane and audition.
There are also a few other sub/minor characters who're not mentioned in this list.
I think that the role of Ygritte should be played by Rebecca Night. she may not entirely look like Ygritte, however she has an awesome accent and I know she would be perfect
Mance, the leader of the wildlings? was he already cast or did i miss it.
I've always pictured Mads Mikkelsen playing Roose Bolton. Soft Spoken, Creepy, Threatening.
LOVE his accent and soft voice – I could totally see him as Roose, though I'd rather he be someone less…notorious.
Maybe have Mads as Halfhand?
Or even Mance Rayder, King Beyond the Wall? Since wildlings are not part of the realm proper, the difference in accents would be explainable.
I am astonished by all the comments that were posted. Game of thrones has become one of my favorite shows, i cannot wait for season 2. I am sure that the casting issues will be resolved. I think it is time to watch season 1 again. Gotta love hbo on demand!!!!
Given the amount of attention and importance of Briennes' appearance, shouldnt they have cast someone slightly less attractive? If every other character is calling her a dog every couple pages, she cant be u cute woman " made to look ugly." Just sayin.
They said she walked into the audition in full costume and makeup looking like Brienne and blew it outta the park, so *shrug* In Nina Gold we trust.
Her blue eyes are stellar and she's six four. Good enough for me. :D
I would love to see who they cast for Asha, Meera and of course the Manderlays…. they are essential later on :). Although, they will probably take them out of the story this season…. But I think that's bad story telling…. it's nice to see a small character becoming important after some time. The little things make a story great, and that's true both in the books and the TV show
the one they cast as Brienne is pretty. Im excited to see how they will make her look ugly bec. in the book she is really describe as ugly ugly and HUGE..she plays a very important role esp in the 3rd and 4th book :)
I thought robert knepper would be a perfect vargo hoat( if he can pull of a strange accent and a slobbery lisp, ofcourse.) he played theodore t-bag bagwell on prison break, and pulls off "nasty" exceptionally well.
just thought of another good option for Roose –
Callum Keith Rennie
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0719678/
Quiet, cunning, creepy.
http://www.imdb.com/video/hulu/vi3356427033/
perfect.
Arliss Howard as Roose Bolton Picture Kale Ingram from Rubicon.
When I read the description of Ygrette, I saw Brigid Brannagh.
http://mimg.ugo.com/201005/45230/brigid-brannagh….
I don’t know If pod will be in the show witch is disappointing because he’s one of my favorite characters. However before thrills battle in season one he asks bron where’s my squire to witch bron replies you don’t have one