Author Archives: Sarah Sommer

About Sarah Sommer

Sarah is a journalist and an artist who lives in the city. She loves movies and television. She reads early and often. Sarah also helps out over at BSCkids.com and our other sites!

Fran Kranz, Other Whedonites To Appear Joss Whedon’s “Much Ado About Nothing”

Like most Joss Whedon fans, I love Fran Kranz. He is one of my favorite veterans of Joss Whedon projects. (Dollhouse anyone!) Finally, we get to see him again in this Friday’s opening of The Cabin in the Woods.

While he does have the new film opening he is also going to be appearing WITH Whedon (as well as Amy Acker, his costar from Cabin in the Woods) in Much Ado About Nothing, a new low-budget adaptation of the William Shakespeare play. It was filmed last year as a “mystery project” and in only 12 days.

Kranz said regarding the secret project,

He shot that while he was on vacation,” says Kranz. “I remember he said he was going to go to Italy with his wife and kids, then all of a sudden he started to shoot a movie, which is crazy… He does a lot of readings at his house, he’s a great host. He always has people over, but he likes to have something to do, something specific. Sometimes he’ll read plays. One night we all read ‘A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream’. He called me one day and said he was thinking about doing ‘Much Ado About Nothing’, but filming it this time. That struck me as doing something handheld, with a Flipcam or something. Not something big with grip trucks, all of this equipment and stuff. But that’s what it turned into.”

Even better for Whedon fans is that it will also include other familiar faces such as Alexis Denisof, Nathan Fillion, Clark Gregg, and Reed Diamond.

He turned his home into a movie set,” Kranz continues. “He had extras and all of that. We had no idea. But I think that’s what he wanted. He wanted us to go into it with a casual feel and to do Shakespeare like you’re not used to seeing. He didn’t want big production value or it to be over-rehearsed. I think he wanted it to be natural. It might be a bizarre benefit to it that we didn’t master the language. The other actors all came from different places so it was an eclectic group. It’s Shakespeare, the language is rich and dense… I think it could be this wonderful blessing that it feels intimate, alive and casual and fun. I hope that bleeds off the screen and will be refreshing for audiences. I haven’t seen it yet, but I trust Joss always and I think it’s going to be awesome.”

Unfortunately there is no specific release date yet for Much Ado About Nothing, we do get our Fran Kranz fix with The Cabin in the Woods this friday, April 13th, which was written by Whedon and Drew Goddard.

Whedon is also releasing his Marvel’s The Avengers on May 4th.

Fran Kranz also took time to answer recent questions about The Cabin In The Woods.

Early critics of the film have said that this is a film that will deconstruct the horror genre. Kranz gave his thoughts on the genre over the last few years and the effect his new film will have on it.

I loved the first Saw movie, I thought it was awesome and it had a great concept. I like Eli Roth and thought the first Hostel was kind of fun. Cabin Fever, too. But I know the Saw and Hostel franchises were definitely under scrutiny by Drew and Joss, I know they were disappointed by where horror films were headed or where they were presently. I know Cabin Fever isn’t recent, but can’t think of any “cabin” movies that were made recently. The “cabin” reminds me of the glory days of horror in the ’70s and ’80s. The Evil Dead and the original Friday the 13th. The Cabin in the Woods pays homage to those classics. When we started shooting, Drew gave us those movies to watch – The Evil Dead, the original Friday the 13th,The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Night of the Living Dead – he wanted to get us into the mindset of the classics. At the end of the day, Joss and Drew could speak better of this than I can. I just see Cabin in the Woods as a very fun movie. Great adventure movie. When I finished the script, “horror film” did not come to mind, or even “funny horror film.” I just thought it was a fun, crazy, action, adventure movie. It steps outside of the genre and is so hybrid genre and unique. There are so many movie kidnapping and killing movies – torture porn – I just don’t see any value in those. Cabin is needed and wanted and I think audiences will understand why we’re getting it now. And, I just drew a blank… “

He also talked about the camaraderie that comes with fellow actors in films together.

Drew was saying how the young people in horror films…he doesn’t get the sense that the characters in these movies don’t like each other anymore. In current horror films, one person is killed and the rest of the characters don’t even care. They don’t seem to have real relationships. That’s something we stressed in our movie. Drew wanted us to be believable as friends and love each other. He said, don’t pay attention to turning the conventions on their heads, that’s my job. He wanted us to focus on being real and making the performances honest. So, in terms of camaraderie, that informed us to actually being friends. We all loved each other. We were up in Vancouver and had our own Cabin in the Woods thing going. It was just us in a hotel, having dinner, getting drinks. We grew tight and I’m still very close with everyone and I have a special man crush on Chris Hemsworth.”

Be sure to go see Cabin in the Woods this friday or at least watch the trailer below:

First Look At The Official Katniss Barbie

A few weeks ago toy maker and mega company, Mattel announced they were turning The Hunger Games into Barbies. Specifically, the heroine of the tale, Katniss Everdeen. And now we have a first look of what they Barbie doll looks like. The doll does not show Katniss wearing her reaping dress, or the dress that is on fire, but a more natural look for the character: her arena wear complete with a miniature mockingjay pin, bow and arrow, forest-tromping boots, and that one, plump braid.

The doll’s designer, Bill Greening said,

I chose to dress her in the outfit she wears during the games, since this is where all the non-stop action takes place and is instantly recognizable by fans. Of course, she wears her mockingjay pin proudly on her lapel.”

Designers made sure to get the look correct by examining the actual outfit worn by Jennifer Lawrence, who played Katniss in the film adaptation. Greening added,

“Hopefully Hunger Games fans can appreciate the attention to detail. The doll’s minimalistic style and details — such as her loosely braided hair and makeup-free look — also really embody the heroic character Katniss.”

He claims it is a make-up free look, but she sure does look polished to me. Aside from that, I do agree that they did a good job bringing the look from the movie to the doll.

Greening also mentioned that he was a huge fan of the book and the film allowing him to pay tribute to Katniss and the novels.

“I am a huge Hunger Games fan and loved all three books, so it was truly an amazing experience for me to be able to design the Katniss Barbie doll,” Greening says. “I think it really pays tribute to Katniss and The Hunger Games.”

The Hunger Games Katniss Barbie will be available everywhere in August and for pre-order starting today at 12 p.m. ET at BarbieCollector.com and various other online retail outlets.

Jennifer Lawrence Talks Hunger Games and Catching Fire

Preparations for The Hunger Games sequel Catching Fire has begun, and lead star Jennifer Lawrence is still trying to cope with her new amount of fame.

The Hunger Games is the big screen adaptation of the first novel from the Suzanne Collins trilogy.

She told MTV News,

It’s kind of like when we’re there, let’s talk about it. But until then I’m sick of hearing about myself as Katniss. And also we’ve been focusing on getting this one out so much that we haven’t really had time to talk about the second one. I’m sure they’ve had time.”

The sequel picks up where the first novel/movie leaves off. Katniss and Peeta return from the Games as victors and begin their victory tour across Panem. But there is a rebellion underway and Katniss is in the center of it. Then she has to cope with the new ruling put in place for the 75th Hunger Games Quarter Quell.

I think one and three are my favorites [in the franchise]. But ‘Catching Fire,’ I’m looking forward to shooting ’cause it kind of becomes more of a war movie.”

Playing Katniss might seem tough for other actors to pull off, but Lawrence, who is already an acclaimed actress felt a connection with the heroine.

I knew I could read the lines and say them without forcing anything. I could speak as this character. There are a lot of scripts where I simply can’t find those words. There are no way those words can come out of my mouth and feel natural. Katniss is a girl I can understand.”

Lawrence, along with her co-stars Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth have already signed on to do the entire franchise. While some actors might be worried about committing to such a long, multi-year project, Lawrence saw it as a positive.

That was definitely something to take into consideration. But then I was like, I’m an actor so I would be doing a film, at least a movie a year anyway,” she explained. “And then the opportunity to play a character that you love and something you’re really passionate about, that happens rarely, if at all, in somebody’s life. So now it’s a blessing ’cause I got to play this character that I love this year and then whatever I didn’t like, I can fix next year.”

The Hunger Games hit theaters on March 23rd, and it’s sequel, Catching Fire has a release date of November 22, 2013.

6th Annual BSC Book Tournament Championship Begins!

Today begins our championship of the 6th Annual BSC Book Tournament: A Taste of the Hunger Games. We have featured 32 different dystopian novels, and over the last few weeks our readers have voted it down to the remaining two books.

We have Dark Parties written by Sara Grant who was originally featured in the Female Lead Bracket VS The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch who was originally featured in the Global Catastrophe Bracket. These two will square off in our final championship and one will be crowned the winner of Optionated’s 6th Annual BSC Book Tournament.

First, Ill give you a little background of each novel, and you can vote for which one you want to win at the bottom. Voting will continue through till April 10th, with the winner announced April 11th.

Dark Parties written by Sara Grant

Publication Date: August 3, 2011

Sixteen-year-old Neva has been trapped since birth. She was born and raised under the Protectosphere, in an isolated nation ruled by fear, lies, and xenophobia. A shield “protects” them from the outside world, but also locks the citizens inside. But there’s nothing left on the outside, ever since the world collapsed from violent warfare. Or so the government says…

Neva and her best friend Sanna believe the government is lying and stage a “dark party” to recruit members for their underground rebellion. But as Neva begins to uncover the truth, she realizes she must question everything she’s ever known, including the people she loves the most.

About the Author

Sara Grant is an American living in the UK. Born and raised in Washington, Indiana, Sara graduated from Indiana University with degrees in journalism and psychology. She now works as a freelance writer and editor for Working Partners, a London-based company creating series fiction for children. She lives in London with her husband. This is her first novel.

The Eleventh Plague written by Jeff Hirsch

Publication Date: September 1, 2011

In an America devastated by war and plague, the only way to survive is to keep moving.

In the aftermath of a war, America’s landscape has been ravaged and two-thirds of the population left dead from a vicious strain of influenza. Fifteen-year-old Stephen Quinn and his family were among the few that survived and became salvagers, roaming the country in search of material to trade. But when Stephen’s grandfather dies and his father falls into a coma after an accident, Stephen finds his way to Settler’s Landing, a community that seems too good to be true. Then Stephen meets strong, defiant, mischievous Jenny, who refuses to accept things as they are. And when they play a prank that goes horribly wrong, chaos erupts, and they find themselves in the midst of a battle that will change Settler’s Landing–and their lives–forever.

About the Author

Jeff Hirsch graduated from the University of California, San Diego, with an MFA in Dramatic Writing. THE ELEVENTH PLAGUE is his debut novel. He lives in Astoria, New York, with his wife, and you can visit him online at www.jeff-hirsch.com.

You can begin voting for the championship below!

Gary Ross Decides Against Directing Catching Fire

It was reported earlier this week that director Gary Ross hadn’t signed on to direct the continuation of Hunger Games franchise, but that negotiations were still ongoing. However, it has now been reported that he will not be returning to direct the sequels.

Ross seemed committed to the film over the last few weeks saying,

I’m looking forward to it. Simon Beaufoy [‘Slumdog Millionaire’], who’s a writer I’ve been a fan of for a long, long time, is doing the script. I can’t write the ‘Catching Fire’ script right now because I’m finishing [‘Hunger Games’], and we’re on a schedule where the script has to get written right now. So I’m unbelievably fortunate that someone like Simon is going to be writing the script. […] That’s a thrill. He’s somebody that I respect and I just love his work.”

But apparently, it wasn’t enough as he has decided against it.

Playlist has claimed that the exiting of Ross isn’t as much of a monetary problem as previously reported. While he has decided he would rather not spend so much time in the same story, the low salary offer probably did not help convince him to stay on. Ross was paid $3 million to direct the first film, The Hunger Games and will also reportedly receive a five-percent cut of the backend. But he had asked for a pretty significant raise to do the second film. However, reports have been flying all week that Lionsgate negotiations had gone south and neither party would budge.

Lionsgate will now have to hire someone pretty quickly if they wish to stay on track for their November 22, 2013 release date.

At least one good piece of news for today is that Jennifer Lawrence, who plays main character Katniss, is open to shoot the film on schedule since the production of the new X-Men film has been pushed back to accommodate.

Game of Thrones Refresher Course: Episode Recap For Season 1

1 “Winter Is Coming” April 17, 2011

Robert Baratheon (King of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros) and his Queen, Cersei Lannister, travel north to make his old friend Eddard “Ned” Stark – Lord of the frozen land of Winterfell – an offer he cannot refuse. Across the narrow sea in Essos, the exiled Prince Viserys Targaryen forges a new alliance to regain the Iron Throne; he will trade his sister Daenerys in marriage to the savage Dothraki warlord Khal Drogo in exchange for Drogo’s army. Back in Winterfell, Ned’s wife Catelyn receives a clue that may implicate members of the royal family in a murder, and their young son Bran makes a jaw-dropping discovery.

2 ”The Kingsroad” April 24, 2011

Bran’s fate remains in doubt. Having accepted his new role as the King’s Hand (the King’s closest confidant and chief bodyguard), Ned leaves his home in Winterfell with his daughters Sansa and Arya, while Catelyn stays behind to tend to Bran. Jon Snow, Ned’s bastard son, heads north to join the brotherhood of the Night’s Watch, protectors of the Wall that keeps the vicious “Others” and the savage wildlings from entering civilised Westeros. Tyrion Lannister, the Queen’s brother, decides to forego the trip south with his family, instead joining Jon’s entourage heading to the Wall. Viserys bides his time in hopes of winning back the throne, while Daenerys focuses her attention on learning how to please her new husband, Drogo.

3 “Lord Snow” May 1, 2011

Ned joins the King’s Small Council at King’s Landing, capital of the Seven Kingdoms, and learns just how poorly Westeros is being managed. Catelyn decides to go covertly to the south to warn her husband, but is intercepted by an old friend, Councillor Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish. Jon struggles to adapt to life on the Wall, as he trains with a number of low-born recruits who are not impressed by his bloodline. Tyrion, also visiting the Wall, is beseeched by the Watch Commander Lord Mormont to plead the King and Queen to send more men to join the Night’s Watch, for powerful enemies are massing beyond the Wall. Bran, now awake, is unable to recall how he fell. Daenerys, now possessing no small measure of control as Drogo’s “Khaleesi”, begins to stand up to Viserys.

4 “Cripples, Bastards, and Broken Things” May 8, 2011

Ned searches for clues to the unexplained death of Jon Arryn (the former King’s Hand), and in the process uncovers King Robert’s illegitimate son. Robert and his guests witness a tournament honoring Ned. Jon takes measures to protect Samwell Tarly, an awkward and friendless boy, from the abuse of the Night’s Watchmen; a frustrated Viserys clashes with his newly-empowered sister; Sansa dreams of life as a queen, while Arya envisions a far different future. Catelyn rallies her father’s allies to make a point, while Tyrion finds himself caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.

5 “The Wolf and the Lion” May 15, 2011

Robert and Ned have an argument over how they should deal with the advance of the Targaryen/Dothraki alliance. Catelyn and Tyrion arrive at her sister Lysa’s home in the Eyrie. News of Tyrion’s kidnapping reaches King’s Landing where Jaime Lannister, the Queen’s twin brother, demands answers from Ned.

6 “A Golden Crown” May 22, 2011

Viserys threatens Daenerys’ safety when Drogo refuses to pay his debts. Ned is left in guard of the Iron Throne while the King goes to hunt, and learns the secret left by Jon Arynn.

7 “You Win or You Die” May 29, 2011

Ned confronts Queen Cersei over the truth of Jon Arryn’s death as Robert, mortally wounded during his hunting, prepares to name his successor. Jon Snow takes the vows of the Night’s Watch. Khal Drogo summons his army to invade Westeros after Robert conspires to poison Daenerys. Robert appoints Ned as Regent of the Iron Throne, who will rule until his heir is of age. Ned brings the King’s declaration before Cersei, Joffrey (eldest of the King’s children), and the Small Council. Ned asks Baelish to secure the cooperation of the City Watch in removing the Lannisters from the throne – Joffrey is not Robert’s son but Jaime’s, he reveals, making Stannis Baratheon (Robert’s older brother) the true heir. However, the loyalty of Baelish and the City Watch lies with the Lannisters: Ned is swiftly captured, and his men killed.

8 “The Pointy End” June 5, 2011

As the Lannisters press their advantage over the Starks, Ned’s eldest son, Robb, rallies his family’s allies to war. Sansa pleads with Joffrey to spare her father’s life while Ned, still captive in the dungeons, finds an unexpected ally in Councillor Lord Varys. Jon and the Night’s Watch confront an ancient evil from beyond the Wall, while across the Narrow Sea, Drogo’s army marches west towards the Seven Kingdoms.

9 “Baelor” June 12, 2011

As the Stark and Lannister armies prepare for their first battle against one another, Tyrion leads his barbarian allies into battle while Robb and Catelyn bargain for a renegade Lord’s help. With Drogo dying from his infected wound, Daenerys goes to desperate measures to save her husband’s life by using a witch’s blood magic, much to the horror of the Dothraki. At the Wall, a Targaryen reveals himself – and the price of loyalty – to Jon, who worries about events outside of the Wall. In a final bid to save his daughters’ lives, Ned falsely confesses to conspiracy and swears fealty to Joffrey as the rightful heir to the Iron Throne. To the horror of Ned’s daughters – and delight of the assembled crowd- Joffrey has him executed regardless.

10 “Fire and Blood” June 19, 2011

The news of Ned’s execution quickly spreads to all corners of the Seven Kingdoms, triggering seismic events for each member of the Stark family. The North secedes from the Seven Kingdoms and proclaims Robb as their King. With Jaime captured by the Starks and Robert’s brothers challenging Joffrey’s claim to the throne, Lord Tywin Lannister assigns his son Tyrion as King’s Hand to keep Joffrey and Cersei in check. Jon plans to desert his post at the Wall to avenge his father; his friends convince him to stay, and he joins the Night’s Watch in an expedition to confront the foes massing beyond the Wall. Daenerys learns to her sorrow that her unborn son is dead and her Drogo has been left in a vegetative state due to the witch’s treacherous magic. Unable to bear her husband’s ruin, Daenerys ends his life and lights a funeral pyre. She burns the witch alive alongside Drogo’s body and her three dragon’s eggs, and walks into the flames herself as the fire reaches its peak. When the embers die the following morning, Daenerys rises, unharmed, flanked by three newborn dragons.

New Production Photo Shows Asa Butterfield and Co-stars in Training

After years of development, now that the film adaptation of Orson Scott Card’s Ender’s Game is underway, it seems we are getting new photos everyday. Thanks to the new official production blog, we are getting new looks at the film everyday.

While the photo released today is just of the actors training for their roles, it is nice to see that things are moving forward and they are taking the production seriously.

The photo was posted on the blog with the explanation below:

Houston, we have a problem. We don’t know how to land the Shuttle. Good thing it’s just a simulator safely on the ground at SPACE CAMP in Huntsville, Alabama. Aramis, Moises, Asa & Suraj (pictured above from a monitor in the MISSION CONTROL ROOM ) and the rest of our cast agreed that to do Ender’s Game right, they had to train as though they were really headed into ZERO G. And this wasn’t just an afternoon spent taking a vanity tour. From the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU), which simulates extra-vehicular shuttle missions in Earth’s orbit, to the microgravity training chair that prepared astronauts for moonwalks during the Apollo program, the week at Space Camp was genuine prep for the feeling of reality that this movie deserves. And after all, the army that trains together stays together.”

The kids named in the commentary are Aramis Knight, who plays Bean; Moises Arias, who plays Bonzo; Butterfield, who of course plays Ender; and Suraj Partha, who plays Alai.

Ender’s Game is set hit theaters on March 15th, 2013.

The cast, which includes several award winners, is as follows:

Asa Butterfield – Ender Wiggin
Harrison Ford – Colonel Hyrum Graff
Abigail Breslin – Valentine Wiggin
Hailee Steinfeld – Petra
Aramis Knight – Bean
Moises Arias – Bonzo
Jimmy Pinchak – Peter Wiggin
Suraj Parthasarathy – Alai
Conor Carroll – Bernard
Khylin Rhambo – Dink
Brandon Soo Hoo – Fly Molo
Ben Kingsley – Mazer Rackham
Viola Davis – Major Anderson
Caleb J. Thaggard – Stilson
Stevie Ray Dallimore – John Wiggin
Andrea Powell – Theresa Wiggin
Nonso Anozie – Sergeant Dap

Release Date Announced For City of Bones

Sony has officially committed to the adaptation of City of Bones from “The Mortal Instruments” series written by Cassandra Clare. After months of negotiations and back and froths between studios, Sony is ready to work on the HUGE series that not only has several more novels than previous franchises but also two novels in a prequel series.

With the film financed, the studio has already scheduled a release date of August 23, 2013. As of right now that is a weekend which currently has no other releases scheduled. That gives new director Harald Zwart a little over a year and four months to cast, prep, shoot and edit City of Bones.

Zwart was actually hired to replace Scott Stewart who had left the project when it was dropped by Screen Gems. Zwart is most known as the director behind the 2010, Karate Kid remake.

Cast to play the lead character, Clary Fray, is actress Lily Collins. Opposite of her was originally Jamie Campbell Bower, but it is reported he has sense dropped out. Other than Collins there is no other word on who is cast in the film adaptation.

Game of Thrones Refresher Course: Notable Characters

Yesterday I covered the two major warring families, The Starks and The Lannisters. But there are a lot more characters at play that don’t belong to either one of those families. You can see some of the notable characters from season one below.

:::Note: There might be spoilers ahead if you haven’t finished season 1, or read the novel series by George R.R. Martin.:::

Daenerys Targaryen: The exiled princess of the Targaryen dynasty. “The Stormborn” Sister to Viserys. She and her brother were smuggled to Essos during the end of Robert’s Rebellion. She spent 17 years under the care of her brother, only to have him marry her off to the powerful Dothraki warlord, Kahl Drogo. Even though she is first afraid of her new husband, she learns their ways and their language; she genuinely falls in love with him. The more she embraced the Dothraki culture, the more powerful and courageous she became and later rebels against her brother who is still trying to control her. She becomes pregnant, and her baby is prophesized to be a conqueror that will unite the world. Unfortunately, she loses both her husband and her unborn child due to the tricks my Mirri. In revenge she kills Mirri by burning her into a pyre, but this ends up hatching the three dragon eggs Daenerys carries with her.

Played by Emilia Clarke.

Viserys Targaryen: The exiled prince and heir to the Targaryen dynasty. People call him the “Beggar king” because of his search for an army that will help him reclaim the throne. He is incredibly arrogant, and self-centered and abusive both physically and mentally to his sister. He marries his sister off in exchange for an army to recapture the throne but the Dothraki are less than receptive to his disrespect of their culture and their new queen, his sister. In a drunken rage he threatens Drogo and Daenerys. Drogo kills him by pouring melted gold over his head; giving him the “golden crown” he always wanted.

Played by Harry Lloyd.

Petyr Baelish: The Master of Coin in King Robert Baratheon’s Small Council. He grew up with Catelyn Stark and had actually fought Ned’s brother for her hand in marriage. He knows most of the ongoing affairs across the Seven Kingdoms because of several of his spies. Petyr is initially thought to be an ally of Ned, but he secretly resents him for marrying the love of his life Catelyn. He also aims to take the Iron Throne and punish the powerful nobles who look down on him.

Played by Aidan Gillen.

Jorah Mormont: An exiled knight I service of Daenerys. In order to fund his wife’s lifestyle of the wealthy, he sold poachers on his land to slave traders, which is illegal. Instead of being punished, he fled to Essos where he banded with the Dothraki. They know him as Jorah the Andal. He also serves as an advisor and translator for the Targaryens for all things going on in the kingdoms. Jorah is actually a spy for lord Varys in exchange for pardons on his crimes. But he falls in love Daenerys and ultimately decides to help and protect her.

Played by Iain Glen

Theon Greyjoy: A hostage and ward of the Starks stemming from a failed rebellion. Despite this, he is loyal to Ned and is good friends with Robb and Jon. He never questions his position until Tyrion tells him he nothing more than a servant. Nevertheless, he remains loyal to Robb when he goes to war against the Lannisters and supports the decision of succession.

Played by Alfie Allen.

Robert Baratheon: Former king of the Seven Kingdoms. He was originally meant to marry Ned’s sister Lyanna, but she was killed and he entered into a political marriage with Cercei Lannister. He becomes deeply indebted to Cercei’s family during his reign. He is killed while hunting, and unknowingly leaves no rightful heir.

Played by Mark Addy.

Renly Baratheon: The Lord of Storm’s End. He is the youngest brother of King Robert and Master of Laws in the Small Council. He is handsome and well liked among the people. He is also secretly the lover of Ser Loras Tyrell, the Knight of the Flowers. Renly challenges his nephew, Joffrey’s, claim to the throne.

Played by Gethin Anthony.

Tywin Lannister: He is the Lord of Casterly Rock, Shield of Lannisport and Warden of the West. He was the former Hand of the King to King Aerys II. He is also the father of Cercei, Jaime, and Tyrion. He given the Hand of the King position again by Joffery, but after Ned is executed, and Joffery’s claim to the throne is questioned, Tywin decides to remain in the field commanding forces.

Played by Charles Dance.

Game of Thrones Refresher Course: The Lannisters and The Starks

The politics between the two major families of HBO’s “Game of Thrones” can get a little confusing. You can see a breakdown of the major characters from both families below:

:::Note: There might be spoilers ahead if you haven’t finished season 1, or read the novel series by George R.R. Martin.:::

The Lannisters:

Tyrion Lannister: A dwarf nicknamed “The Imp”. He is the younger brother of Cersei and Jaime Lannister. He was blamed for the death of his mother during childbirth. He described as being the “cunning” brother and often uses his wits and quick thinking to his advantage when in tight situations. Unlike the rest of his family, he initially does not hold any ill feelings towards the Stark family. That does change when he is wrongly captures and imprisoned by Lady Catelyn. He is later sent to rule as Hand of the King.

He is portrayed by Peter Dinklage.

Cercei Lannister: Queen of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros and the wife of King Robert Baratheon. Despite being married to the king, she has carried on a lengthy incestuous affair with her brother Jaime since childhood. She does claim to have loved King Robert once, but due to his never-ending love of Lyanna, she grew to hate him. Her current three children are actually she and Jaime’s. She wants nothing but her family to be all-powerful.

She is portrayed by Lena Headey.

Jaime Lannister: A member of the Kingsguard and the Queen’s twin brother. Spent his life having an incestuous relationship with her and fathered all three of her children. He is nicknamed the “Kingslayer” because he killed the previous king, Aerys II, even though he had sworn to protect him. He truly hates the fact that no one feels he deserves his rank and position. Despite the constant animosity between Ned and Jaime, Jaime does respect him. He considered Ned to be a great warrior and his equal. Unlike his father and his sister, Jaime cares a great deal for Tyrion. Going so far as to attack Ned when Tyrion is imprisoned. Jaime later joins his father’s campaign at the Riverlands but is later made a prisoner of the Starks.

He is portrayed by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

King Joffrey: Eldest son of Cersei and her brother Jaime. Even as a child he is vicious and cruel and will lie and cheat to get what he wants or get out of trouble. But when someone actually confronts him he is a coward. He does not know that Jaime is his real father. He is made king, against his father’s will. He is a puppet king, taking orders from his mother. His downfall begins when he refuses to honor the promise of sparing Ned’s life and instead has his executed. His kinghood is threatened when Jaime is captures by the Starks and his uncles Renley and Stannis challenge his claim to the Iron Throne.

He is portrayed by Jack Gleeson.

The Starks:

Catelyn Stark: The Lady of Winterfell and wife of Lord Eddard. She had figured out that the Lannisters were to blame for the attempts on her son, Bran’s life. During a chance encounter with Tyrion, she arrests and imprisons him. After Ned is arrested and her eldest son Robb goes to war, she joins her son’s war council. After learning Ned was executed, she vows that the Lannister family will pay for the act with their lives.

She is portrayed by Michelle Fairley.

Eddard “Ned” Stark: The Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North. Serves as The Hand of the King after Jon Arryn’s death. His sister Lyanna was kidnapped during Robert’s Rebellion. Ned cares little for politics and prefers to rule with honor and law. While investigating the death of Jon Arryn, he uncovers that all of the Queen’s children were fathered by her brother. When he confronts her about it, he gives her a chance to flee before telling the King. Instead she imprisons him and accuses him of trying to steal the throne from Joffrey. After being promised e would serve on the Night’s Watch, Joffrey has him executed.

He was portrayed by Sean Bean.

Bran Stark: The second son and fourth child of Ned and Catelyn. He called his direwolf Summer. He accidently catches the Queen and Jaime during a romp, and Jaime then shoves him out the window almost killing him, and ultimately crippling his legs.

He is portrayed by Isaac Hempstead-Wright.

Robb Stark: The eldest son of Ned and Catelyn and the heir to Winterfell. He named his direwolf Grey Wind. Robb becomes involved in the war against the Lannisters after he father is arrested for treason. He called upon his father’s bannerman and his mother’s allies to lead a war effort against the Lannisters and they successfully capture Jaime. After Ned is executed, the North and the Riverlands declare independence from the Seven Kingdoms and proclaim Robb as their new King.

He is portrayed by Richard Madden.

Sansa Stark: The first daughter and second child of Ned and Catelyn. She is set to become the future bride of Joffrey. She named her direwolf Lady. Sansa lives in a world of naiveté and fairytales. She is unwilling to see the harsh realties of the world around her especially in regards to the politics and rivalries forming. Her world first begins to shatter when Lady is killed and her father is arrested. She becomes a hostage to the Lannisters in order for them to have a claim to the North. She finally sees the world and Joffrey for what it is after he executes her father despite promising her he would spare him. Sansa plans to kill Joffrey to avenge her father.

She is portrayed by Sophie Turner.

Arya Stark: The youngest daughter and third child of Ned and Catelyn. A tomboy through and through. She would rather train with weapons than sew or worry about who she will marry. She named her direwolf Nymeria. She takes sword-fighting lessons from her “dance” teacher Syrio who later manages to help her escape the Lannisters. She disguises herself as an orphan boy by a Night’s Watch recruiter, Yoren, in hopes of getting back to Winterfell.

She is portrayed by Maisie Williams.

Jon Snow: The bastard son of Ned. He joins the Night’s Watch. Ned claimed that his mother was a wet nurse named Wylla. He named his direwolf Ghost because of its albinism and quite nature. He also has the best hair ever seen.

He is portrayed by Kit Harington.