THE NIGHT IS DARK ... AND FULL OF TERRORS

HBO to order two more seasons, and film them back-to-back

Rumours now abound from multiple sources that HBO plans to order both seasons three and four and film them back-to-back (à la Lord of the Rings). It has already been confirmed that A Storm of Swords would be covered in more than one season. From what has been said, much of the film crew in Northern Ireland has been told of this plan and has been advised to expect nine months of filming next year.

Winter Is Coming: I have no doubt that this is an option that HBO is exploring, perhaps even leaning towards, but I don’t think it is a done deal just yet. HBO likely won’t announce anything official until season two begins, so they could change their minds before then.

It does make sense though, to do it this way, as they’ve already said they will be splitting book three into multiple seasons. This way they get the whole of the book filmed in one go, saving on production costs and keeping the kids from aging in between seasons.



MORE NEWS

Edward Dogliani will play the wildling raider Lord of Bones [more commonly mocked as Rattleshirt] in Game of Thrones Season 2.

Rattleshirt is one of the chief wildling raiders at the time of the novels, having taken the name of Lord of Bones from the bone-armor he wears (including a helmet made from a giant’s skull). In the novels, he’s described as shorter and scrawnier than his armor makes him, and has an ill-favored look to him. Suffice it to say, he’ll be an antagonist for a certain popular character as the story goes forward.






British actor Patrick Malahide has been cast as Lord Balon Greyjoy. Balon Greyjoy is a member of House Greyjoy. He is Lord of the Iron Islands and captain of the longship - the Great Kraken. He is the father of Theon Greyjoy, the ward of House Stark.

Stephen Dillane has been cast in the role of Stannis Baratheon. Stannis is the younger brother of the late King Robert and the older brother of the self-declared King Renly. Of everyone in Westeros, Stannis has the best claim to the throne, considering that the newly crowned King Joffrey is actually the bastard son of Robert's wife Cersei and her twin brother Jaime.

Stannis isn't very congenial, and isn't very well-liked. He is counseled by the mysterious and dangerous Lady Melisandre, a priestess of a new and powerful religion who isn't afraid to use her mystical powers to Stannis's gain.

Thomas Wlaschiha has landed the part of Jaqen H'ghar, who we glimpsed briefly in the season one finale. We didn't see his face, of course; he was shrouded under a hood. He was also chained in a cage with two other nasty-looking characters.

H'ghar is part of Arya Stark's season two storyline, and he's one of the reasons that it's one of the most interesting arcs of the season. It's really difficult to say anything more without spoiling some plot details, so I'll just say this: he'll probably be one of the characters you talk about all season long.

Irish actor Liam Cunningham has been cast as Davos Seaworth, Davos is also known by his nickname "The Onion Knight," which he received after he smuggled various foods (including onions) to Stannis Baratheon during the siege of Storm's End. Stannis granted him a knighthood, but also commanded that Davos pay for his crimes by losing digits off each finger of his left hand. Seeing wisdom in Stannis's justice, Davos became one of Stannis's most loyal followers and one of his most trusted advisors, going so far as to wear the bones of his severed digits in a bag around his neck for luck.

By the time season 2 starts, Stannis has declared himself king, and Davos is growing wearing of Lady Melisandre, who is attempting to eradicate the traditional religion of the Seven and replace it with worship of her god, R'hllor, the Lord of Light. It's through Davos's eyes that we'll see the storylines of Stannis and Melisandre.

Dutch actress Carice van Houten has landed the role of Lady Melisandre. She's probably the most-talked-about new character of the second season: Lady Melisandre is as mysterious as she is dangerous. Known as the "Red Priestess," Melisandre worships the 'Lord of Light,' a deity known as R'hllor, through whom she can apparently perform feats of magic. Melisandre serves as an advisor to King Stannis and almost never leaves his side. A proponent of eradicating the old religions of Westeros and replaceing them with her new one, Melisandre believes that R'hllor wants Stannis to gain the Iron Throne, and she'll do anything -- and kill anyone -- to get him there.


That's enough for now .......... more to follow.