Category Archives: TV Adaptations

A Look At What We Know About Dexter Season 7

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Showtime has released another preview for season seven of “Dexter,” which returns Sept. 30. The promo, titled The Last Piece, compiles clips spanning the series which could have lead Deborah to the truth about her adoptive brother.

The final scene, of course, is the end of the season six finale, in which Deb walks in on Dexter killing the season’s big baddie, Travis Marshall (Colin Hanks).

No new information is revealed in the trailer, but the Internet is abuzz with spoilers and speculation alike, so we’ve gathered the best (and most accurate) bits for you here.

At Comic-Con, Showtime treated fans to a screening of the first two minutes of season seven’s premiere.

The writers waste no time picking up exactly where they left off, as the clip opens with Deb’s obviously emotional reaction to Dexter’s fresh kill.

At this year’s Comic-Con Carpenter stated, “I think if anything it’s not that she’s shying away from the power and authority she has [as head of Miami Metro], she actually needs it,” Carpenter said. “It’s the one card she has to play and it’s also the one card that will protect and save her. At any second — if I live! — I could tell someone to put cuffs on him and I think [Dexter] knows that.”

Another announcement brought the news that season eight will the the show’s last season. Sara Colleton, executive producer for the show, told TV Guide that the decision to end the show is definite.

“We wanted to end it this year, but the network convinced us that it would be best to do it in two years.,” Colleton said. “In some ways, this is a two-season series-ender. We have worked that out and know where it’s going to end. Next year will definitely be the last year of ‘Dexter.’ Absolutely.”

Colleton also said Deb will learn everything about her brother this season. There will be no more secrets.

“Obviously this whole season we’re going to have great fun playing with every permutation that can be played between Debra and Dexter in their relationship now that this information has come out.,” she said.

In answer to the question on many fan’s minds, Colleton addressed Deb’s newly realized romantic feelings for Dexter.

“It will be explored,” she said. “It has to explored, because one doesn’t come to a realization like that and then completely change. But obviously what she learns is going to affect it, so all of the things that have been the bedrock of Deb’s life get moved around. That’s part of what we hope will be fascinating for our fans, is to watch and see how we play out all of those various interpretations.”

As for new spoilers (reader beware), Lieutenant LaGuerta finds Dexter’s blood slide forgotten at the crime scene, and immediately recognizes it from the Bay Harbor Butcher case. She sees this as a chance to clear Sergeant Doakes’ name, as the case had initially been pinned on him.

Colleton said this will begin quietly, but the clues will eventually lead back to Dexter.

Hall also commented on how Harrison will affect the new season as well as life for Deb and Dexter.

“As Harrison gets older and becomes more perceptive, it gets diecier every day. Deb now has a sense of what she’s dealing with with her brother that changes things as well,” Hall says. “He has someone who’s really encouraging him to face just what he’s trying to pull off as a parent. But Harrison is still in the picture — and very cute.”

Lastly, there are several new cast members in season six.

Ray Stevenson will play the head of a crime syndicate who owns several nightclubs in Miami. Jason Gedrick will play the U.S. manager of all of his clubs. Perhaps catching the most buzz is Yvonne Strahovski.

“She plays this woman named Hannah, who took off from this small rinky-dink Florida town and ran off with this older guy and they went on this wild killing spree,” Colleton told TV Guide. “So when they got caught, she turned state’s evidence on the boyfriend, he went to jail for life and she started a new life. Years later, she’s in her 30s and she will intersect with Dexter. I would say Hannah is a still water that runs very deep and is quite unlike any woman Dexter has ever known.”

TV Guide asked Colleton whether Dexter will die at the series’ end.

“I would never answer that question,” she said with a laugh.

You can see the new promo, titled The Last Piece, below and be sure to watch the new season on September 20th.

Snow Patrol Frontman To Appear In Game Of Thrones

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Gary Lightbody, the frontman for popular band Snow Patrol, has revealed he will appear in a future episode of HBO’s “Game of Thrones.”

The singer posted a picture of himself in costume after filming his scene for the series. He also said this about his role,

“So I did my scene this morning for Game Of Thrones. I looked like this. Can’t say much just it’s no pivotal role. Fun!“

Lightbody didn’t say who he would be playing or whether or not he would be interacting with any of shows leads.

Season 3 of “Game of Thrones” will premiere on March 31, 2013. You can see a list of new cast members here.

Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci Working On Sleepy Hollow Series

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The 2012 pitch season is underway, and Transformers/ Ender’s Game writers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci are shopping a series based on Washington Irving’s eerie classic, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” Phillip Iscove will assist Kurtzman and Orci in writing the script, as the project was his own idea.

The story follows Ichabod Crane as he partners with Sleepy Hollow’s local female sheriff to solve mysteries “in a town ravaged by the battle between good and evil,” according to Deadline.com.

Iscove has been an assistant for UTA (United Talent Agency) for five years, and has had a script on the Black List.

Len Wiseman (Underworld) is on board to direct the drama, which is being touted as a modern-day supernatural thriller. Kurtzman, Orci and Wiseman have worked together before, on the pilot for Hawaii Five-0, which Kurtzman and Orci co-wrote and Wiseman directed.

The three will executive produce “Sleepy Hollow” with K/O’s Heather Kadin.

They are pitching the project to Fox, CBS, ABC and NBC. There is no word on whether anyone is currently interested in the series or if the writers have any talent in mind for the project.

Three Popular Shows Have Three Terrible Television Mothers

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Anyone who reads any kind of entertainment news, or really ever turns on a television, knows that HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” “True Blood,” and AMC’s “The Walking Dead,” are incredibly popular. They have dominated award shows, viewership has been through the roof, they include impressive casts, and people generally can’t stop talking about them.

All three shows house some of the worst TV mother’s. It seems each of these characters have their own self interest in mind rather than their child and continually do harm to that child whether physically or emotionally. In short, they are the worst. But we can’t blame the writing, these moms are adaptations of characters from written work, they were written to be terrible for a reason.

(It is also weird that all three characters start with the letter “L”)

So here is a countdown of the three worst television mothers.

3. Lysa Arryn/Tully (Game of Thrones)

Looking at Lysa’s character from both the TV standpoint and ASOIAF, it is painfully obvious for the audience and other characters that Lysa does not have her son’s best interest in mind.

She creepily continues to breastfeed her son, Robert, in a way that could be a poster for attachment parenting, though the biggest issue is her continual overprotection and isolationism of the son. She also denies the boy almost nothing, giving in to his whims, basically teaching him nothing of the real world outside the Vale.

Her mental instability and paranoia have resulted in her secluding herself and her son in the Eyrie.  Even though she has a chance to send Robert to be fostered else where (where he would be kept safe), she denies, keeping the weakling son in her arms and at her breast. Robert is getting no training on how to defend himself in a world where everyone dies pretty damn quickly and often.

ASOIAF Spoiler Ahead

Because of Lysa’s extreme overprotection of Robert, when she dies, he becomes also mentally unstable attempting to latch on to whatever maternal figure he can find.

Lysa is not the worst mother out there, but in the world that they live in, he needs to learn to fight, to be brave, not to rely on others to keep him safe. Sansa learned that lesson the hard way, and Robert will too.

2. Lettie Mae (True Blood)

I had reservations about putting her on this list because while she is TERRIBLE, she appears infrequently. However, last weeks episode proved just how awful Lettie Mae can be.

Mother to Tara Thornton (who is in her own right annoying), Lettie Mae has done some serious mind fucking over the years. An abusive alcoholic, Lettie Mae spent Tara’s life neglecting her, beating her, and verbally abusing her. yet she uses her bond as her mother to excersize control over Tara, such as getting her to give her money for an exorcism. While this ended up working psychologically to help Lettie Maw recover from addiction, it doesn’t save their relationship in the long run.

When Tara is distraught over the death of Eggs, Lettie Maw is more preoccupied with getting with the Reverend than helping her daughter. Tara then almost commits suicide while Lettie is failing to keep an eye on her.

After she married the Reverend, Lettie Mae disowns Tara as she is an embarrassment to the preacher’s wife (though being fucking nuts isn’t for some reason?)

Lettie Mae can be cited as one of the reasons Tara is “so screwed up” as an adult. Tara has followed in her mothers footsteps with alcoholism in the past as well as having low self esteem and being generally cold hearted and mean to those who try to get close to her. I think it is reasonable to believe that if Tara had a mother like Gran she would have turned out a little better.

Instead we have a character that hardly anyone likes and who seems to be angry all the time. UGH. Thanks a lot Lettie Mae, lets hope the Reverend doesn’t find a new younger wife and divorce you like he did his previous wife. (I also want to point out that even though she has been :saved” she still walks around and talks like she is drunk ALL THE TIME.)

1. Lori (The Walking Dead)

We all know this list isn’t complete with out Lori. There is so many reasons why we love to hate her. (Not to mention the actress, Sarah Wayne Callies, portrays the character perfectly.)

Let start with the Shane situation. Even in the post-apocalyptic world, you shouldn’t sleep with your husband’s best friend. Plenty of others are not out getting it on zombie style during the apocalypse and yet she chose to do the horizontal dance with Shane (not even Daryl c’mon hasn’t she seen Boondock Saints?) Shane becomes surrogate father for her son Carl, yet when Rick shows up, she doesn’t even want Shane around. She never considered that Carl might want/need Shane around as he had been there, bonding with him. Instead she pushes Shane away, instigating more and more animosity among the group.

And the biggest reason of all. SHE NEVER KEEPS TRACK OF CARL. What kind of mother does this? One is selfish and manipulative. She is also against her son learning vital survival skills in a world where protecting oneself is KEY. She also never really connects with her son in their trying times or listens to what he has to say. Carl is consistently getting away from the group, because lets face it he is still a KID even in the apocalyptic world, yet Lori never seems to notice and remains obvious to the location of her child.

She says she is first and foremost a mother, yet she exceedingly fails in the role.

The Future of Lori and Rick In The Walking Dead Season 3

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The prison setting for season three of the incredibly popular AMC series, “The Walking Dead,” seems to be the safest  hideout yet for the band of survivors. However, the relationships with in the group are becoming questionable. Specifically the relationship of Rick and Lori.

Fans may wonder what Rick sees in Lori let alone how he deals with her constantly putting members of the group (and their son) in danger.

Their marriage has been falling apart from the beginning of the series, but fans saw a huge turning point when Lori told Rick to kill her former lover Shane and then turned her back on him once Shane was dead.

Glen Mazzara, the show’s executive producer reveals a little bit about their relationship in the aftermath of Shane’s death.

“Part of that horror you saw in that last episode was revulsion in her part in that. I think she blames herself. I don’t know if she did intend to put Rick in motion, but she did. They have to deal with that.”

Let us not forget that Lori is pregnant with a child that may or may not be Shane’s. This is already a huge issue but this isn’t the real world anymore where they can simply separate due to “irreconcilable differences” or “my wife is whore.” Their marriage is put on the forefront of the entire band of survivors.

 “They don’t know whose child that is,” Mazzara continues. “They have to figure out what they can do. They can’t get divorced. How do you repair that marriage in front of everybody? It’s such a tight group. It affects everybody in the group, that strife within that marriage.”

It may seem that nothing short of a miracle can bring the post apocalyptic family back together but Sarah Wayne Callies, the actress that plays the much fan despised Lori, says that the key to rebuilding their family is common ground.

 “Lori’s fear is that, in killing Shane, Rick became Shane and that he’s turned into a man who’s not a humane, compassionate person, but somebody who is now somewhat cold and bloodthirsty,” she says. “But Rick’s fear is that Lori will reject him and will refuse to see that everything he’s doing for her he’s doing out of love for her and his family. The two of them are so mired in self-hatred and shame right now that they can’t reach out to one another. That’s a big rift to find a way to cross.”

Lori’s role in the upcoming season will also be more subdued due to her pregnancy. But the question on many fans minds is whether or not her pregnancy will lead to her being more active in the life of her child. Will she know where he is? Will she redeem herself out of the ranks of television’s worst mothers?

“A big role for her is seeking redemption and she’s very anxious to make sure that her pregnancy doesn’t end up putting anyone in jeopardy,” Callie says. “She wants to make sure that good people don’t put themselves in danger to protect her because she feels deeply unworthy of that right now. At the same time, she’s got a real desire to create a home. Whereas Rick can see a fortress, Lori is the one who turns that fortress into a home. That’s her goal.”

All this is amplified by the impending doom they face every day as well as the rest of the group looking up to the couple for not only friendship but also guidance and hope.

Even though the Ricktatorship seems harsh, it may be the best way for the group to survive at the moment. Andrew Lincoln, the actor who plays Rick, revealed some insight behind Rick’s decisions and the effects on the group.

“I think he’s become more uncompromising certainly in the third season,” Lincoln says. “He’s sick and tired of people dragging their heels and talking. He’s had to kill his best friend for this group of people. He’s furious and he’s conflicted. That’s human. Certainly in the first six episodes of Season 3, the pressure that they’re under is enormous.”

Don’t worry, however, Lincoln states that Rick will not become another Shane. Despite his anger, his unhappiness and his strained relationship with his family, he will primarily try to act for the betterment of the group.

“[Rick] is a man that begins in one place as a sheriff – he couldn’t be more of an embodiment of law and order – and he just gets thrown into this leadership role. You’re sort of still rooting for this guy, though actually he hasn’t made some of the greatest decisions, because he’s driven by a moral center still.”

Fans of the comic book series already know that season 3 brings a major turning point in not only the story but also within the relationship of Rick and Lori.

(WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD. DO NOT CONTINUE IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE COMICS OR IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO KNOW THE FUTURE OF THE SERIES.)

Callies also spoke about why her death in the comics was not subverted in the television series and why it was so important that her story line stay true to the source material. She revealed that her death has a profound and vital effect on Rick.

 “On a show like The Walking Dead, you know that your very first scene brings you one scene closer to the scene where you’re going to get iced,” Callies says. “That’s just the nature of the beast. [Former showrunner] Frank Darabont and I actually — before he was tragically and unfairly removed from the show — we used to argue about it. I argued that it was necessary to kill Lori. I feel very strongly that for all of the other deviations that we have from the script that we may have from the comic book, killing Lori does something to Rick that is vital for the story and that can’t be done any other way. I’ve said from the beginning, not only am I OK with Lori dying, but I think she has to. I’ve played this character with an eye toward an end.”

A lot is in store for the family of “The Walking Dead. The third season of The Walking Dead, will premiere Sunday, Oct. 14 at 9/8c on AMC.

 

Game of Thrones a Top Pick For Best Drama Series

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HBO’s hit series, “Game of Thrones” has been added to the list of nominees for best drama series at this year’s 64th Primetime Emmy Awards.

Although “Mad Men” has won the award for the category four years in the row, there is a huge chance that “Game of Thrones” could take it away from the AMC series. With record viewers in it’s second series and its not sup rising renewal after just one episode, GoT has captured fans for the long haul.

The series was nominated last year as well in the same category despite the fact that academy tends to overlook shows from its genre. The medieval fantasy series, an adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s series of novels “A Song of Ice and Fire,”  is known for its violence and graphic sexual content as it chronicles seven noble families as they fight for control of the mythical land of Westeros.

Many fans were left feeling jilted after the show didn’t win the award last year. Considering the fact that only two days after the first season premiere, the series was picked up for a second season. Nine days after the season 2 premiere, it was picked up for a third season. The show has consistently brought it high numbers and continues to be one of the most loved of the HBO shows.

Other nominees in the category includes “Mad Men,” “Breaking Bad,” “Downton Abbey,” “Homeland,” and “Boardwalk Empire.”

The Emmys will be handed out at the Nokia Theatre in downtown Los Angeles on Sept. 23. The show will be broadcast live coast-to-coast on ABC.

Outlander Book Series To Get Own TV Series

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Sony Pictures TV announced their plans to adapt Diana Gabaldon’s bestselling fantasy/romance/adventure book series “Outlander” for television. Ron Moore, developer/executive producer of the popular series “Battlestar Galactica,” will write the adaptation, and Jim Kohlberg’s Story Mining and Supply Co. will produce.

The project will be taken to cable networks this week, according to Deadline.com.

The story begins in 1945, and boasts the provocative tagline, “Claire Randall is leading a double life. She has a husband in one century, and a lover in another….”

The series includes seven books, and has sold more than 20 million copies. The eighth installment will be released next year.

Gabaldon has amassed a passionate fan following, with multiple companies offering “Jamie and Claire” tours of Scotland, during which fans visit locations from the books.

You can read the official plot summary for “Outlander” below:

In 1945, Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon–when she innocently touches a boulder in one of the ancient stone circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach—an “outlander”—in a Scotland torn by war and raiding border clans in the year of our Lord…1743.

Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire’s destiny in soon inextricably intertwined with Clan MacKenzie and the forbidden Castle Leoch. She is catapulted without warning into the intrigues of lairds and spies that may threaten her life …and shatter her heart. For here, James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, shows her a passion so fierce and a love so absolute that Claire becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire…and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.”

The Walking Dead 100th Comic Issue Becomes Best Seller

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Robert Kirkman has a lot to be proud of. He has a hit comic book series that has entranced fans as well as a hit television show based on his work, and most recently two different video games inspired by the world he created. However, he has even more to brag about as his 100th issue of The Walking Dead comic book series has become the best-selling comic of the 21st century according to Image Comics.

The issue has already sold out of its initial order of 383,612 copies.

Part of the reason for the higher-than-usual sales could be, as the New York Times pointed out, that fans and collectors flock toward milestone issues, such as number 100 in a series, as well as issues with multiple covers. The 100th issue released a total of nine different covers, which fans flocked to collect.

Another big draw was likely the expectation that something particularly big might happen in the storyline. (It did, but we won’t spoil it for you here.)

The comic book series has also had other awards including receiving the 2010 Eisner Award for Best Continuing Series at San Diego Comic-Con International.

The massively popular AMC television series probably didn’t hurt sales either. Season three of the series is set to begin on Oct. 14.

Danai Gurira Talks Michonne in Season 3 and Comic Con Offers Glimpse Into The New Season

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“The Walking Dead” was a huge hit at Comic Con 2012 this year, and with season 3 on its way, fan excitement is building. In the new season we see the new character of Michonne as well as the introduction of the Governor.

Danai Gurira, the actress who plays Michonne, opened up about her character as well as the work that goes along with it.

“Initially, learning the sword was challenging,” she told Vulture at Comic-Con this weekend. “I started to take natural vitamins, tart cherry pills. Very good for the joints and the muscles. I didn’t know if I was going to be able to do what Michonne has to do in 100 degree heat, but with those pills, I’m fine.”

Whatever Danai is doing, worked. Executive producer, Gale Ann Hurd expressed how impressed she was with Danai’s work.

“Michonne kicks ass with a katanna sword,” she said. “The intensity level is incredible, we’ve got our cast inoculated now, the new people realize just what they’re in for and the level that we expect, and they’ve become just as passionate about ‘The Walking Dead’ as we all are.”

You can now see the season 3 trailer below:

Meet The 14 New Cast Members To Game of Thrones Season 3

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Fans are (somewhat) patiently awaiting the next season of the massively popular HBO series, “Game of Thrones.” As the plot thickens and being heating up, season 3 is promising to be, well, amazing. What is great about the series, besides the overall story, is the large cast with many impressive actors attached, and with each new season we get a plethora of new faces to grow to like before they (most likely) bite the dust. The main cast currently includes Richard Madden, Kit Harington, Emilia Clarke, Michelle Fairley, Sophie Turner, Maisie Williams, Isaac Hempstead-Wright, Alfie Allen, Lena Headey, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Peter Dinklage, Jack Gleeson, Rory McCann, Aidan Gillen and Iian Glen.

With the premiere of season 3, however, we see an addition of 14 new cast members to the ensemble.

Dame Diana Rigg as Olenna Redwyne, The Queen of Thorns

You might recognize her as the cat-suited secret agent Emma Peel in the British TV series “The Avengers” (a role later taken by Uma Thurman in the disastrous 1998 film version). She also played the only woman James Bond ever loved, killed just after their wedding, in “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.” Her most recent movie appearance being in 2006’s “The Painted Veil.”

The Character: Olenna Tyrell (née Redwyne), is the grandmother of season two addition Margaery Tyrell, described as a cunning, manipulative matriarch who comes to King’s Landing to oversee her granddaughter’s wedding to King Joffrey.

Clive Russell as Brynden Tully, The Blackfish

The Scottish actor Clive Russell is already relatively well-known since he starred in Neil Gaiman’s TV series “Neverwhere” as villain Mr. Vandemaar and also had a recurring role as sinister comics boss Damien Knox in Edgar Wright’s “Spaced. He’s got over a hundred credits to his name, but the most recognizable one of late is as Captain Tanner in both Guy Ritchie “Sherlock Holmes” films.

The Character: Brynden is the uncle of Catelyn Stark (née Tully), a famous knight who now fights alongside Robb, becoming one of his most trusted advisers and comrades.

Tobias Menzies as Edmure Tully

A RADA grad best known at first for playing Brutus in another HBO epic, “Rome,” before being M’s right-hand man in “Casino Royale.” Most recently, he starred in “The Recruiting Officer” at the Donmar Warehouse in London.

The Character: Catelyn’s younger brother, Edmure, is a whoring, hot-headed figure, but good at heart.**Spoiler** He becomes the lord of Riverrun after his father, Hoster Tully, dies.

Mackenzie Crook as Orell

Crook came to fame as Gareth on the original BBC version of “The Office,” before going on to appear in the original “Pirates of the Caribbean” trilogy. However, he has begun adding more serious roles to his credits, appearing first in “The Seagull” withKristin Scott Thomas, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Carey Mulligan, then the award-winning “Jerusalem,” and most recently “The Recruiting Officer” alongside Menzies.

The Character: Orell is one of the lieutenants of Mance Rayder (the biggest part yet to be cast), the so-called King of the North. He’s a skinchanger, which means he’s able to shift his consciousness inside an animal, in his case an eagle.

Richard Dormer as Beric Dondarrion

The Northern Irish actor starred  as troubled snooker player Alex Higgins in stage hit “Hurricane,” which he also wrote. He also appeared in films like “Mrs. Henderson Presents” and “Five Minutes Of Heaven” and TV series like “My Boy Jack” and “Hidden,” but recently got a lead role — later in the year, he’ll star as Belfast punk legend Terri Hooley in “Good Vibrations” from the producers of “24 Hour Party People.”

The Character: Beric Of Dondarrion is a former soldier for Ned Stark, who is now the leader of the outlaw group the Brotherhood Without Banners, and may or may not be unkillable.

Nathalie Emmannuel as Missandei

Emmanuel appeared on the British teen soap “Hollyoaks,” in which she played Sasha Valentine, who became a prostitute and a heroin addict. Since leaving the show in 2010, she’s starred as Nala in “The Lion King” on stage and appeared in the most recent season of cult superhero drama “Misfits.”

The Character: Daenerys is a little lacking in followers after the events in Qarth, but Missandei, an interpreter in the slave city of Astapor, looks to fill the gap. Eleven in the books, clearly a little older here.

Kerry Ingram as Shireen Baratheon

At 13 years old, she has already had her fair share of success, sharing the Olivier Award(the British equivalent of the Tonys) for Best Actress in a Musical for playing the title character in smash-hit musical “Matilda.”

The Character: Shireen Baratheon is the young daughter of Stannis Baratheon (Stephen Dillane), who nearly died of a disease called ‘greyscale’ as a child, and is left with flaky, grey dead skin on her left cheek and neck as a result.

Tara Fitzgerald as Selyse Baratheon

She played Ophelia to Ralph Fiennes’ Hamlet in 1995, winning a Drama Desk Award for her trouble, and starred in films like “Sirens,” “The Englishmen Who Went Up A Hill But Came Down A Mountain” and “Brassed Off.” Currently she’s been a regular on long-running BBC procedural “Waking The Dead,” and its spin-off, “The Body Farm.”

The Character: Selyse Baratheon (née Florent) is Stannis’ wife, and the mariage has never been a happy one. And yet Selyse is a fervent supporter of his priestess Melisandre and her new religion.

Paul Kaye as Thoros Of Myr

Another actor from the series “Spaced. Kaye came to fame playing obnoxious red-carpet interviewer Dennis Pennis on a BBC comedy show. After the character was killed off, he starred in British films like “Blackball” and “It’s All Gone Pete Tong.” Also has a memorable role on TV show “Pulling,” and as Ingram’s stage father in “Matilda.”

The Character: Thoros is a red priest, affiliated to the same religion as Melisandre. He’s also a formidable warrior, and co-founds the Brotherhood Without Banners.

Thomas Brodie-Sangster as Jojen Reed

Sangster first appeared as Liam Neeson’s son in “Love Actually” before going on to star in films like “Nanny McPhee,” “The Last Legion,” “Bright Star” and as Paul McCartney in “Nowhere Boy.” TV roles have included a classic two-part “Doctor Who” and the voice of Ferb in long-running Disney Channel animation “Phineas and Ferb.”

The Character: Jojeen Reed is the son of another aristocratic family who has “greensight,” the power of prophetic dreams. He accompanies Bran, Osha and Hodor as they flee from Winterfell.

Ellie Kendrick as Meera Reed

A young actress who played Juliet at the Globe Theater at 19, Kendrick is probably best known as Carey Mulligan’s best friend in “An Education.” She also played the title role in a BBC version of “The Diary Of Anne Frank,” and has more recently appeared in TV series “Upstairs Downstairs” and “Being Human.”

The Character: The older sister of Jojen, Meera is a skilled huntress who, with her brother, assists and accompanies Bran on his flight from Winterfell.

Kristofer Hivju as Tormund Giantsbane

Hivju played Jonas, a nervous scientist, in last year’s remake/prequel of “The Thing.” Since then, he’s been shooting a role in M. Night Shyamalan’s “After Earth” alongside Will Smith.

The Character: Tormund is a giant-slaying wildling raider, one of Mance Rayder’s most trusted men, with the impressive title “Tall-talker, Horn-blower and Breaker of Ice, Husband to Bears, the Mead-king of Ruddy Hall, Speaker to Gods and Father of Hosts.” Not sure what “husband to bears” means but I’m interested in finding out.

Philip McGinley as Anguy

McGinley is best known for playing Tom Kerrigan on long-running soap “Coronation Street” between 2008 and 2009. More recently, he had a tiny role in “Prometheus.”

The Character: A talented archer, Anguy is another member of the Brotherhood Without Banners.

Anton Lesser as Qyburn

A veteran Shakespearean actor, 60-year-old Lesser has long been associated with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and has been a prolific TV actor in Britain. Most recently, he cropped up in the fourth “Pirates of the Caribbean” and stole the show in excellent BBC program “The Hour.”

The Character: A former maester and skilled physician, Qyburn was stripped of his position after performing experiments on living people. Since then, he’s joined the mercenary band The Brave Companions.

The third season will consist of ten episodes. It will be based roughly on the first half of A Storm of Swords, the third of the A Song of Ice and Fire novels by George R. R. Martin, of which the series is an adaptation.Production began in July 2012 and the series will premiere on March 31, 2013.