Television took over Comic-Con in a big way today, as no less than three big shows invaded Hall H, with The Big Bang Theory, The Walking Dead and Game Of Thrones enjoying crowded panels. Though the Dead crew brought a sizzle reel of fresh footage from the third season (due on screens this October), it was Game Of Thrones that made news with word on additional cast members for its own season three, including Diana Rigg, Paul Kaye and Mackenzie Crook.
Yes, Mrs Peel from the original Avengers, Gareth from the original Office and Paul Kaye from… the original Dennis Pennis appearances are all going to be part of the show next year. And they were just three of the names announced.
So let’s take a quick rundown, shall we? Clive Russell will be Brynden "The Blackfish" Tully, the estranged uncle of Cat and renowned knight who is a welcome ally to Robb Stark’s cause.
Tobias Menzies has been brought in to play Edmure Tully. Edmure is Cat's younger brother as well as the new Lord of Riverrun. Though many fans had dream cast Maggie Smith in the role, Rigg will be Lady Olenna Tyrell, perhaps better known by her nickname “The Queen of Thorns.” She’s Margaery and Loras Tyrell's grandmother and a strong matriarch for the House of Flowers.
Mackenzie Crook will be a wilding raider named Orell. But he’s more than just that: Orell is also a warg (or skin-changer), which means he's able to enter the mind of other creatures. Ellie Kendrick is Meera, with Thomas Brodie-Sangster playing her younger brother Jojen Reed, which will no doubt please viewers who have been awaiting the appearance of the Reeds.
Over at House Baratheon, Tara Fitzgerald is set to play Selyse, Stannis' wife, who is a devout believer in the Lord of Light and is often left behind or shut away from the world. Three members of the Brotherhood Without Banners have also found their actors with Paul Kaye playing Thoros of Myr, Richard Dormer as Beric Dondarrion and Philip McGinley as Anguy. So that leaves Kristofer Hivju, as Tormund Giantsbane, the number two wildling behind Mance Rayder, Nathalie Emannuel as Missandei and Anton Lesser as Qyburn, a Maester of the Citadel who was stripped of his chains and ends up being very important to Cersei Lannister.
With filming still underway on the new season, there was no footage shown at the panel and despite moderator / Thrones overlord George RR Martin promising one extra treat, it proved to be a simple card on the panel’s main screen announcing the series’ return next April…