Many new faces will be joining the cast of HBO’s hit series, Game of Thrones, for its third season (which makes me quite nervous for the well-being of the familiar faces of the show), including Diana Rigg (The Avengers [1961], The Great Muppet Caper), as Olenna Tyrell, the Queen of Thorns, Mackenzie Crook (Pirates of the Caribbean, The Office) as Orell, and Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Love Actually, Nanny McPhee) as Jojen Reed.

During the panel for Game of Thrones at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, a video was shown to introduce the 14 new actors joining the cast, as well as who from George R.R. Martin‘s books they’ll be playing.

You can check out the video below.

HBO’s Game of Thrones is undoubtedly one of the most successful series in cable history, so it’s no surprise there was a rabid turnout for their SDCC Comic-Con panel on Friday. The panel began with none other than author George RR Martin as moderator.

Martin mentioned that producers David Benioff and Daniel B. Weiss regretted that they’d be unable to make the panel as they’re currently on-set directing the current season. Martin also joked about the unavailability of the 13 year old co-producer in charge of boobies (a reference to a recent SNL Digital Short).

Game of Thrones
Xbox 360 l PS3
DEVELOPER: Cyanide Studios
PUBLISHER: Atlus
RELEASE DATE: May 15, 2012

I’m no seasoned vet when it comes to author George R.R. Martin‘s “A Song of Ice and Fire” book series, having first become aware of it only a few years back when it was first revealed that a TV show version was being made for HBO. But after seeing the first season and reading the first book—both of which shot to the top of my personal TV and book lists—I had become familiar with a fact many of you had known for a long time now: this was a very special world with a very special variety of characters and a rich and complex history.

Because of that you can imagine mine and many others’ elation when it was revealed that an RPG video game based in Martin’s world had been in the making for a long while now (since the HBO show was only a rumor), and would be coming to us soon. The thought of roaming the lands of Westeros and living amongst some of the characters you grow so fond of over the course of Martin’s story was extremely exciting to think about, and anticipation only grew from there.

After a bit of a wait, the game, which is of course titled Game of Thrones, has finally arrived. But does it live up to the anticipation that has grown this past year or so? Or will those who were itching to get their hands on it be left wanting?

Game of Thrones
Season Two, Episode 9 – Blackwater
Directed by Neil Marshall
Written by George R.R. Martin
Starring Mark Addy, Alfie Allen, Emilia Clarke, Liam Cunningham, Charles Dance, Stephen Dillane, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Fairley, Aidan Gillen, Jack Gleeson, Iain Glen, Kit Harington, Lena Headey, Conleth Hill, Carice van Houten, Harry Lloyd, Richard Madden, Patrick Malahide, Rory McCann, Sophie Turner, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Maisie Williams, and Issac Hempstead-Wright

I feel like the phrase ‘event television’ is a bit of a misnomer. Very few shows ever fully rise to that title. In fact, the only show I feel that’s ever fully risen to event TV is Lost. After a new episode, it was talked about for days on end.

I don’t think there’s a show that’s lived up to those expectations and level of hysteria and hype. The most recent Game Of Thrones episode, “Blackwater,” is the answer to those expectations.

For weeks now, HBO has been building up this ninth episode to be this epic event. Stories have been told about the production behind it, how HBO gave extra money for this episode specifically in order to make sure it was done properly, thus creating a legend equal to the episode itself.

For those who aren’t aware, a video game set in author George R.R. Martin‘s “A Song of Ice and Fire” world of Westeros has been in the making for a long, long time now. In fact, when development on the game began, the hit HBO TV series was merely a rumor.

Luckily for those just learning of this news, you won’t have to wait long to get your hands on the game, which is of course titled Game of Thrones. It hits stores this Tuesday, May 15th, and with it comes (hopefully) an RPG experience allowing fans to walk and thrive in the world they love so very much, whether through reading Martin’s books, watching the show, or both.

Many videos have been released so far (and can be seen here at Geeks of Doom), including a new video called “Behind the Wall,” where developers from Cyanide Studios talk about what went into making the game what it is.

You can see the video below!