Game of Thrones prequel series House of the Dragon has announced the casting of four new characters, including confirmation of Outlander star Graham McTavish as Ser Harrold Westerling.
McTavish is joined in the show by his Outlander co-star Bill Paterson, Sanditon actor Matthew Needham and Hamilton star Gavin Spokes.
McTavish, who is also known for his work in the Hobbit films, first sparked casting rumours in May, when he was spotted on set in a costume similar to Fabien Frankel, who is playing Criston Cole, a character in the Kingsguard with Ser Harrold.
Ser Harrold has served in the Kingsguard since the days of King Jaehaerys and is described as ‘a paragon of chivalry and honour’.
Paterson is to feature as Lord Lyman Beesbury, the Lord of Honeyholt and Master of Coin on King Viserys’s small council, which seems similar to his role as lawyer Ned Gowan in Outlander, who collects and keeps record of the MacKenzie’s rent from villagers.
Needham is to play Larys Strong, younger son of Master of Laws Lyonel Strong, who is brought to court by his father.
His father, who is also Lord of Harrenhal, will be portrayed by Spokes, whose stage career has seen him play King George III in Hamilton and nominated for an Olivier Award for his role as Nicely Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls in 2016.
They join the cast alongside Paddy Considine as King Viserys Targaryen, Matt Smith who plays Prince Daemon Targaryen, the younger brother of the king and heir to the throne. Emma D’Arcy also plays the king’s first-born child Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen and Olivia Cooke is cast as Alicent Hightower, the daughter of the Hand of the King, Otto Hightower, who is played by Rhys Ifans.
Recent spoiler pics from the set (you have been warned) seemed to suggest some dramatic events for Smith’s dragonrider Daemon in the series, which is not due for release until next year.
Other cast members formally announced include David Horovitch as Grand Maester Mellos, Jefferson Hall as Lord Jason Lannister and Ryan Corr as Ser Harwin ‘Breakbones’ Strong, borther to Larys.
The upcoming fantasy series is set 300 years before the events of Game of Thrones, at the height of the reign of the House Targaryen in Westeros.
House of the Dragon will premiere on Sky Atlantic and streaming service NOW in 2022.
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