First thing that viewers sitting down to Game of Thrones will notice is that there are a buttload of characters. Dozens of them. The second season introduced so many new characters they skipped over some from the second book to prevent the viewers from getting swamped in strange names and complicated family trees. As a result we have a fresh serve of new faces arriving in the third season. Let’s take a spoiler free look at who we’re going to meet, beginning north of the Wall…
THE WILDLINGS
Mance Rayder, King of the North
Played by Ciarán Hinds
As Jon Snow is about to learn (he does know nothing) the Wildlings that live beyond the Wall are more than a motely crew of scavengers but an organsised and deadly threat to those in Westeros. Leading them is Mance Rayder, who is cut from a very different cloth than the kings of the south.
Mance was born north of the Wall but as a child he was captured by the Night’s Watch and raised as a crow. Although he took his vows and fought to defend the south he felt that his freedom was impeded. When he was told to replace his mended cloak with a pure black one he took that as the cue to leave. He then turned his own ideology of freedom to earn him an army of followers. Since then he has remained aware of the events in Westeros, even scaling the Wall and visiting Winterfell during Robert Baratheon’s visit, the Starks remaining unaware of his presence.
Orell Skinchanger
Played by Mackenzie Crook
Orell is one of the clan chiefs who ride under the command of Mance Rayder. He’s a vicious character and quick to violence. He has the ability to inhabit the minds of other creatures and have bonded with an eagle. The eagle has taken on parts of Orell’s personality and has become as dangerous as Orell himself.
Tormund Giantsbane
Played by Kristofer Hivju
Tormund is a particular large and menacing Wildling who fights alongside Mance Rayder. He is known (mostly through his own insistence) as the Giantsbane, the Thunderfist, Tall-Talker, Horn-Blower and Breaker of Ice, Husband to Bears, the Mead-King of Ruddy Hall, Speaker to Gods and Father of Hosts.
That’s pretty much all you need to know.
THE BROTHERHOOD WITHOUT BANNERS
Beric Dondarrion
Played by Richard Dormer
Beric Dondarrion was every inch the dashing knight at the beginning of this saga, having been introduced during the tournament held in honor of Eddard Stark’s appointment as the Hand of the King. His time in the war, however has not been good to him. After being dispatched by the throne to bring in Ser Gregor Clegane when the Mountain was raiding towns Beric was reported dead or missing.
He would resurface later in the War of Five Kings, now missing an eye and heavily disfigured by scars. Beric is the leading of the Brotherhood Without Banners, a band of outlaws who have been striking from a secret location somewhere in Westeros. His appearance clashes with reports that he had fallen in battle.
Thoros of Myr
Played by Paul Kaye
Like Melisandre the warrior priest Thoros of Myr represents R’hllor the Lord of Light. Thoros made his debut in the story at the Kings Landing tournament. Having never been an especially pious priest Thoros preferred drinking and fighting and was a companion of King Robert. Thoros was a frequent champion in tourney mêlée, having beaten Sandor Clegane three times. When Thoros joined Beric Dondarrion’s party to seek out Gregor Clegane he was reported missing. In reality he joined Beric in forming the Brotherhood without Banners. Where once he was bald and fat he’s now thinned, gray skinned and gray haired.
IN THE WEST
Selyse Baratheon
Played by Tara Fitzgerald
Formally of House Florent, Selyse is the wife of Lord Stannis Baratheon. She supports her husband in his campaign to claim the Iron Throne, and is a fervent worshipper of the Lord of Light. She believes that her husband was chosen by R’hllor to lead Westeros and strongly backs the word of Melisandre. Noted for being a stern looking woman, being tall and thin, she is not known for her beauty. Her marriage to Stannis is not a passionate one and they spend little time in each other’s company.
Shireen Baratheon
Played by Kerry Ingram
Shireen is the only daughter of Stannis and Selyse Baratheon. Whilst regarded as a sweet and polite child she suffers from greyscale. Her left check and neck have been scarred by this affliction and that side of her face is covered with black dead skin. She travels with her mother from Dragonstone to Westeros during the War of the Five Kings.
Edmure Tully
Played by Tobias Menzies
Edmure, brother to Satelyn Stark, represents House Tully and Riverrun in the field of battle during the War of the Five Kings. He’s the third born and only living son of Hoster Tully and leads the Tully forces in his ill father’s stead. During the battle of the Golden Tooth he was taken prisoner by Ser Jaime Lannister, later rescued by Robb Stark. Edmure swore fealty to Robb Stark and continues to fight at his side.
Brynden ‘Blackfish’ Tully
Played by Clive Russell
The Blackfish is a skilled fighter who supported Rob Stark during his battles during the war. In the past his relationship with his brother, Hoster Tully, had become conflicted after Brynden refused the marry the woman chosen for him. This ultimately lead to his estrangement from the family. In the intervening years he has served his niece Lysa Tully at the Vale of Arryn.
Olenna Tyrell, The Queen of Thorns
Played by Diana Rigg
The so-called ‘Queen of Thorns’ earned her nickname for her sharp tongue and cunning. In her youth she was arranged to marry into House Targaryen, but avoided that fate. Being something of a matriarch to the family of Tyrell she travels to King’s Landing with Margaery, who is betrothed to Joffrey.
Jojen and Meera Reed
Played by Thomas Sangster and Ellie Kendrick
Jojen and Meera are members of the lesser House Reed, who live in a swampland near the neck. The house is often mocked by other houses for their differences. They arrived in Winterfell after their father received word of Bran’s second sight. Jojen had also been having prophetic dreams featuring the three eyed crow. Although young they are mature beyond their years, and Meera is a fierce combatant.
IN THE EAST
Grey Worm, Captain of the Unsullied
Played by Jacob Anderson
During her campaigns in the east Daenerys learns of the Unsullied, the most feared mercenaries in the world. The slaves have been trained from childhood to ignore pain and fear on the battlefield. Their hosts decimate their enemy and they have no desire beyond their orders.
Missandei
Played by Nathalie Emmanuel
Missandei had three brothers, all of whom became Unsullied (one died in training) while Missandei became a slave. It’s after being freed that she becomes a servant girl for Daenerys.
Daario Naharis
Played by Ed Skrein
Daario is the captain of the Tyroshi band of mercenaries known as the Stormcrows. He’s a brash and passionate man who dresses in bright blues and golds, and sports dual curved blades adorned with naked women. He’s a dangerous fighter who’s reckless in everything he does.
