James Hibberd of Entertainment Weekly has just revealed exclusively that the role of Mance Rayder has finally been cast – with none other than Ciarán Hinds!
You will of course know him best from Rome, where he played Julius Caesar. After Tobias Menzes (as Edmure), this is the second Rome alumnus joining the cast.
Hear Me Roar: Wow, that one got me excited! When other candidates and actors we speculated about definitely dropped out, I felt bad, but HBO managed to get a big name for the role in the end, and one that is, for my money, a great fit.
484 Comments
Just need Mark Anthony to complete the set!
NPOQuote Reply
FinaLly! Great news. Rome had a lot of talent on it, and now we don’t have to speculate about Purefoy anymore :P
AndrewQuote Reply
Yes! Awesome!
JQuote Reply
Am I the only one who pictured Mance younger? I blame those fan castings with James Purefoy! I’m sure Ciaran will be brilliant.
Mance Rayder is Aberforth Dumbledore, everyone. Let that sink in.
MichelleQuote Reply
Great actor, but I just can’t see him as Mance :/ A bit too old in my opinion.
I just hope they have asked him to grow a beard, like he’s looking here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/content/images/2007/03/22/ciaran396_396x222.jpg
CarneQuote Reply
He’s not totally what I pictured, but he’s a brilliant actor. I’m excited to see what he does with this role, this should be great! :D
KatieJoQuote Reply
great news! 226 on the countdown… ugh.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Wow, this is out of left field for sure but completely awesome, Hinds is a big name, and great actor for sure. Never pictured Mance quite as old as him tho, does anyone think they’ll make him slim down a little to get the more lean “Mance” look? I know from the books, and especially the events in ADwD, he surely wasn’t a boy, but not an older guy either I feel. Any thoughts?
PetearysQuote Reply
Caesar as Mance, eh? Not who I immediately pictured in the role but I’m looking forward to seeing how he brings the role to life.
The GreatsteveQuote Reply
Yes, I pictured Mance younger as well, but Ciaran Hinds is a fantastic actor, so I’m not complaining too much.
paylorQuote Reply
That rocks.
Maxwell JamesQuote Reply
*faints*
CarolQuote Reply
I’m pretty pleased with that. So much so that I can get over the misfire on casting Dominic West!
The KingshaverQuote Reply
Michelle,
I pictured younger too…
CeciQuote Reply
I don’t mind the age, despite everything … Hinds has the charisma that always made Mance older in my mind.
Hear Me RoarQuote Reply
OMG YES.
Steve Hugh WestenraQuote Reply
Michelle,
You’re not the only one. I definitely saw Mance as more of a Joe Fiennes, Dominic West type. That being said, Ciarán Hinds is fantastic. I’m sure his version of Mance, while different from what I pictured, is going to be great.
KatieJoQuote Reply
Julius Caesar is Mance Rayder!
Aegon the ConquerorQuote Reply
Oh well for those of us who wanted Fassbender , they did both play the same part once in Jane Eyre lol.
YvyBQuote Reply
Not how I pictured, pretty disapointed tbh :(
Harry The HeirQuote Reply
Michelle,
I pictured him younger as well. Regardless, this is awesome news. The guy’s a heavyweight.
DaveBQuote Reply
Too old and too serious.. Not nance at all
BubbaloueyQuote Reply
Dream casting, really.
The casting for this show never ceases to amaze me.
Alex DubrovskyQuote Reply
I also thought, even through my excitement, ” isn’t he a little old?” But I love Ciarán Hinds, and I am sure he is going to bring it as Mance Rayder! this is such a coup, he’s a BIG name in film (even if you don’t really know his name, everyone knows him from his roles!)
MetalgoddessAMBQuote Reply
Best casting get of the season, Hinds is an absolutely terrific actor and wonderful choice for Mance, he’s the right age, and will be perfect as the jovial but quietly menacing Mance. His Julius Caesar was the best thing about the first season of Rome, and he’s been great in everything I’ve seen him in since. This really excites me and makes up for the loss of Dominic West. Now just give me recognizable faces for Vargo and Daario, and include Strong Belwas, then you’ll have the best season of GoT yet
Set DingleberryQuote Reply
Can we have Purefoy as the Red Viper now? ;)
JulieQuote Reply
Oh, WOW!!!!
My god, how wonderful.
Maester TcostQuote Reply
WOW, this is amazing! He’s brilliant and strong enough to go toe-to-toe.
Very happy with this choice!
angelQuote Reply
YES! He is amazing.
Howland ReedQuote Reply
If he was around when Mormont was around then stands to reason he would be similar age. Ecstatic with this casting.
The Red AvengerQuote Reply
I’m quite pleased! I love the actor and I thik that he has the baggage to portray a perfect Mance.
I actually didn’t image him much younger than that…
CláudiaQuote Reply
Whoa! Love it! Never expected this particular consolation prize for missing Dominic West!
He’s going to be awesome!
ZackQuote Reply
Yes, he’s older than I pictured the character.
No, I don’t care.
CIARAN HINDS IS ON GAME OF THRONES!!
Oh, and WE HAVE MANCE AT LAST!!!
Josh ParkerQuote Reply
Any news on Ramsay Snow?
Hassan MadkourQuote Reply
Yes, too old and his voice is too authoritative but those aren’t big problems. I’m sure he’ll do a great job. I’m so relieved they didn’t hire a pretty boy for the job.
alex AlsoQuote Reply
Ah, look at all the complainers . They will bite their tongue again when the season airs just like they did with many other actors .
Claudiu GherganuQuote Reply
Oh yeh! Forgot about that!
YvyBQuote Reply
Hassan Madkour,
Iwan Rheon.
If not I’ll eat my laptop.
CarneQuote Reply
Terrific! He’s a very fine actor, although I’d pictured someone a little slighter, physically.
Richard WeetabixQuote Reply
SO AWESOME. Great casting!
JonathanLQuote Reply
I actually pictured Mance much much younger. Ciaran Hinds is only 5 years older than James Cosmo and I always thought Mance was on the same age range than Benjen Stark. In any case, he is such a great actor that I’m really happy with the casting news anyway.
EmpedoclesQuote Reply
I think is fine, he supossed to serve with Lord Commander Mormont, so he cannot be an adonis, he must be severe and hard looking.
Sorry for the engrish.
Nico EscalonaQuote Reply
Yeah, I’ve always pictured him well into his 50′s. He doesn’t come off as young and his age is never specifically stated in the books, AFAIR.
Alex DubrovskyQuote Reply
Purefoy is the perfect Victarion Greyjoy in my mind…
christopher dickensQuote Reply
I’ve never seen Rome (to my shame), and I don’t know him at all.
But in Nina Gold I trust.
Thiago WaldhelmQuote Reply
Claudiu Gherganu,
Complaining? People just think he’s too old, as a lot of people did not imagine him as a 60 year old man.
CarneQuote Reply
Kinda confused as to why everyone pictured Mance so young, sure not as old as Hinds who is nearly 60, but Mance was described as having dark hair that had mostly gone gray, the important thing is not the book description or the image you have in your head though, Hinds can flat out act, trust me you doubters will be singing a different tune after Mance is officially introduced on the show
Set DingleberryQuote Reply
Mance was a contemporary of Qhorin Halfhand, so I can adjust my thinking. Hinds’ age isn’t a real problem. And he can play mischievous, he has before.
Ours is the FuryQuote Reply
Seems about right. Though I hope he tries to age down a bit with a beard – makes a young man look older and an older man look younger, usually – and demeanor. I just don’t see a 59 year old doing what Mance does.
sjweningsQuote Reply
12 seconds in my life…
Upon reading headline : Shriek of joy, exceessive excited hand flapping
2 seconds after reading headline : Call coworker who also loves thrones and told her even though she has no idea who Hinds is.
Approx. 10 seconds after reading headline: Isn’t he a little old? Also, not James Frain or John Hawkes.
11 seconds after reading this headline: It’s Julius effing Ceaser, he’ll be amazing!!!
12 seconds after reading headline: another shriek of joy and more exceessive excited hand flapping
JillianQuote Reply
He is definately not what I had in mind for Mance. Oh man he should’ve been Blackfish.
robb17Quote Reply
Oooh, this got me excited! I can’t wait to see his take on the King Beyond the Wall. And with so many characters aged up anyway, I don’t mind his age.
Lise BollumQuote Reply
Awesome!!
furreverQuote Reply
Hear Me Roar,
There are two reasons why this choice is giving me pause. One is that we get the impression from the books that Mance is closer in age to Benjen, maybe even a little younger, and physically no one to be trifled with. Mance glamoured as Rattleshirt is supposed to be stronger, faster, and more fit than Jon expected, and the twist later is that in fact, he IS as Mance. So there’s an expectation that Mance would be more of a big brother figure to Jon than a father figure, and would also look like more of a scrapper. (We know Mance is supposed to be kind of forgettable, but once you take a second look, you can see that he can handle himself.)
Also, Ciarán has an inherent gravitas to him that I think counters the more devil-may-care aspects of Mance’s character. It’s not that I can’t picture Ciarán as Mance having the balls to sneak into Winterfell during the King’s feast. It’s that I think he’d think twice about doing it, because he comes off as wiser and more battle-weary than someone a little bit younger (and wetter behind the ears) would be.
edit: Judging by some of the previous comments, I may have gotten the wrong impression,lol.If he’s actually supposed to be a contemporary with Qhorin and I missed that, then I stand corrected.
Again, Nina Gold and the people involved in casting have been brilliant so far, so I’m not worried. It’s just a different direction than I thought they were going to take for the character.
KatieJoQuote Reply
From the wiki:
I’d say the age thing is totally projected by readers. (Mostly grey). I’m thrilled. I’ve always thought the guy was fantastic even in small subtle roles like There Will be Blood. We need Vargo and Daario and we can rest easy.
DirehoundQuote Reply
I also pictured him younger but he can certainly pull of the Old Bear and I took our vows together and walked the wall side by side for twenty years look. Think this will be incredible!
Aegon the ConquerorQuote Reply
That’s fantastic. Loved Hinds in Munich
I think it makes perfect sense that he is older – he has lived a life before the Night’s Watch, served his time at The Wall, deserted to the Wildlings and established himself as leader – that’s a pretty full life. Also I think his age will give the character more obvious leadership / authority – it’s a good move and a great pick. I for one could never picture Dominic West in the role…
RossQuote Reply
Bud Hammond is Mance Rayder! Sorry couldn’t resist. Like many of you, I wanted James Purefoy (and will still pine for him in perhaps another part, due to his excellent acting ability). Now, all that said, I am more than excited to see Ciarán Hinds in this part, given that I think he can pull it off. While it wasn’t what I pictured (even having recently re-read ASOS), I have always been willing to give Nina Gold the benefit of the doubt.
Lannister AccountantQuote Reply
With all this love for Rome cast members joining GOT, it would be great some how to get Polly Walker casted for something. She was amazing as Atia.
Ciarán will be great as Mance. I already can picture him in scenes with Kit.
Bryon BlofsteinQuote Reply
What an amazing choice! I’m so excited *squeeee*
HmmQuote Reply
I was an avid watcher of Rome and was very disappointed when HBO cut it after 2 seasons.
This is a great pick of a very good, established, veteran actor for Season 3. He’ll be a great Mance.
Warden of the NorthQuote Reply
Great, great choice.
JuiceQuote Reply
Funny thing: the first time I read the books I pictured him being played by Chris Sarandon, who’s actually older than Hinds.
The second and third times: Paul McGann.
Josh ParkerQuote Reply
Direhound,
Yeah, the idea that Mance is young seems to be reader/viewer-invented, because the text (both in describing Mance and in having people like Qhorin seeming to have been close to him with Mance also having had enough time to become King Beyond the Wall, etc.) seems to make it clear he’s been around for some time.
I’m a big fan of Hinds, and am very happy with this news.
LordStarkingtonQuote Reply
Now let’s hope they cast Rome’s Ray Stevenson as Victarion Greyjoy.
CarneQuote Reply
Exactly what I was going to say. Very excited about this news. He is perfect for Mance. Has the gravitas necessary for the role. Fucking A!!!
RygarQuote Reply
Lannister Accountant,
Now I’m pulling for Purefoy as Euron Greyjoy. I don’t care, I just want him on the show,lol. (Not as Oberyn, though. Alexander Siddig for Oberyn.)
KatieJoQuote Reply
He’s an amazing actor. He’ll make this work.
Iron ThroneQuote Reply
LordStarkington,
Acting and performance should always win out over age in casting for the show except special cases (a 25 year old Bran wouldn’t have worked).
DirehoundQuote Reply
Kiss me.
But a non Rome cast member for Euron. This is reserved for Danny Huston.
RygarQuote Reply
christopher dickens,
that would be good, but i imagined Purefoy for Euron Greyjoy.
on topic, i loved Ciaran Hinds in Rome and i think he can play this role to perfection.
th3wick3d1Quote Reply
KatieJo,
Hell to the yes. And not, I repeat NOT, as the Red Viper, who should be ethnic in appearance.
Josh ParkerQuote Reply
Carne,
Yeah, he’d work, but I have started picturing David O’Hara as Victarion, but so help me, I still think of James Purefoy as Euron.
Josh ParkerQuote Reply
Direhound,
I agree, and when was age really that important to the portrayal of characters that aren’t children or young adults in the book, Sean Bean was older than Ned, and I doubt anyone would trade his portrayal now, great actors are great actors, and the more you get on this show, the better the show will be, imo
Direhound,
Direhound,
Set DingleberryQuote Reply
Holy shit! That’s awesome. Love Ciaran Hinds.
Varamyr FourskinsQuote Reply
Yes!! another ROME alumni … ALL HAIL CAESAR
RichardQuote Reply
Josh Parker,
Gahh, I love Paul McGann. Yes, he needs to be on GoT
Shadowcat85Quote Reply
Don’t really see him as a warrior king who fights in the thick of things with his men (and who beats Jon Snow in a sword fight through brute strength) but maybe that’s because he was so amazing as Caesar. He’s getting pretty old at this point though, so it could be hard to fake that. Still, Dance brings a physicality to Tywin (and without moving about) that balances pretty well with his genius politician thing, so I’ll give Hinds the benefit of the doubt. Old Guys FTW
Nights KingQuote Reply
Oh my God, I just got the chills when I read that! Saving the best casting news for last! This is amazing, I’m speechless!
serumQuote Reply
Good to know Mance is cast. But i don’t understand why HBO needed some big name for that role. I love Mance in the book but lets face it he does not have much screen time. He basically have two screen with Jon. Besides that Jon just hang around with Ygritte and Tormund. So what is the big deal in getting some big actor?
m_kQuote Reply
Josh Parker,
Co-sign. I’m just going to keep putting Alexander Siddig out there for Oberyn. If anyone from the show is reading: ALEXANDER. SIDDIG. FOR OBERYN. Not that I’m trying to put a bug in your ear or anything, but yeah. Check him out. ;)
I’m excited to finally be putting faces to some of my favorite characters. :D Is it March yet?
KatieJoQuote Reply
Yes, but I’m referring to the “older than I pictured/imagined” Mance comments. They could have cast a younger actor and I would have been fine with it, but Mance in the books clearly has some years under his belt; he seems to be maybe in his 40s or so (maybe late 30s at the youngest).
LordStarkingtonQuote Reply
KatieJo,
I also always pictured Mance as being closer to Benjen’s age and more of a spry, physically capable type with a laid-back confidence. Kind of like a Wildling James Bond. This isn’t the first time casting hasn’t fit with my mental image, and it’s always translated well to the screen in the past.
I know Davos didn’t look at all like what I had pictured, now I can’t imagine anyone else playing that part. Stannis is still wrong to me, though. Ciaran Hinds would have worked better in that role, I think.
ZachQuote Reply
KatieJo,
My pick for Oberyn as well! E-mail the agency and let them know he would be perfect! admin@markhamfroggattirwin.com
I’ve already done it, but it’s better if more people make them aware!
CarneQuote Reply
KatieJo,
Good actor, wrong role. I keep picturing Federico Castelluccio as Oberyn, and I’m reserving Siddig for the role of Hizdahr zo Loraq.
Josh ParkerQuote Reply
A little older than I thought, but I’m gonna wait until I see him playing Mance before I decide this is good casting or not. Hopefully they fix the hair.
The Young WolfQuote Reply
I am really happy with and excited by this casting.
I’ve been a fan of Ciaran Hinds for a while (Capt. Frederick in Persuasion!). He is definitely an underrated actor with the ability to inject a great amount of gravitas into his characters, and I think this above all his other qualities is going to make him the perfect Mance.
He may be a bit older than the Mance described in the books, but that doesn’t matter , especially considering the fact that they’ve aged up nearly all the TV characters. Otherwise he looks the part: tall, distinguished and attractive without being too traditionally good-looking (if I remember correctly Mance is described as looking rather plain). But that aside, I think its his intensity that is really going to serve as the heart of TV Mance.
LinaQuote Reply
When I saw the announcement I shrieked like a little girl and nearly jumped off the couch, dropping my computer on the floor. Yes. That’s how excited I am about seeing Hinds cast as Mance! He was one of my top picks despite being slightly older than I imagined Mance to be. Wow. WOW!
Kate BussellQuote Reply
Purefoy should get casted as a Greyjoy. Better be Crow’s eye!
Maria BatsiouQuote Reply
m_k, it seems they strive to get at least one new big name actor per season. Mance was the only role that could conceivably fit a big name this year. They will likely add some scenes to beef up his role.
Excited about this casting. And I have heard there is more to come. Stay tuned!
Winter Is ComingQuote Reply
It’s an actor I was hoping to be cast in some role, but at the same time a thought of him like a “dream cast”. Never thought he would be Mance, but I’m not complaining, this is totally cool! This guy has this charisma. Presence in the show that…that…gah! Awesome! Loved him on Rome. Would love to see some more of Rome’s cast on the show, but maybe would be asking too much already lol.
Igor VelosoQuote Reply
Haha are you worried about Mance having mussed up hair with product in it like the above pic? I don’t think you need to worry lol
The Young Wolf,
Set DingleberryQuote Reply
Attention everybody complaining that he looks different/older from book Mance:
Why is this a new thing for you? This is like the 8000th time that an actor was cast who looks different from their book version, and nearly every time the casting was a good fit. In Nina Gold we trust. Remember Tywin Lannister? He definitely looks and acts different from book Tywin yet nobody is complaining. Give Ciaran a chance! Have you SEEN Rome?!
TolgerosQuote Reply
Winter Is Coming,
Any ETA?
CarneQuote Reply
m_k,
How far into the books have you gotten?
Set DingleberryQuote Reply
Josh Parker,
I’m not that familiar with Castellucio’s work, so I can’t agree or disagree with you. I have a list of actors that I want to see on the show, and Siddig is one of them. Any of the actors on my list could play a variety of parts, as far as I’m concerned. I just want them on there,lol.
Carne,
Thanks for the info! :)
KatieJoQuote Reply
If we couldn’t have Dominic West, then I am MORE than happy with Ciaran Hinds, and he is no way too old – I never visualised Mance as younger than 40/50-ish, and we must remember that everyone in the series is older than they are in the books. Perfect!
Jenny PughQuote Reply
At first I was like
“well, that’s not how I pictured Mance”
and then I was like
“IT’S FUCKING ABERFORTH THIS IS GONNA BE SO COOL”
GregQuote Reply
I think this is a great choice. He’s a little more imposing than I imagined Mance, but good acting will fix that.
I must be in the minority, I always pictured Mance as a little older than Ned.
ShinyteapotQuote Reply
Hell yes.
… That is all.
SamQuote Reply
Great pick, if only because Hinds is such a fantastic actor. Someone above said “too serious” but he can definitely play something other than Caesar — he just doesn’t get those role as often in things we see.
Yes, yes, he’s older than even an aged up Mance should be. (I think Mance should be in his 30s in the book, and given the Sean Bean age up that means 40-50ish is about right). And they may even find they change the story a bit to accomodate that — is a 60+ Ciaran Hinds going to beat 25 year old Jon Snow in a swordfight? I dunno.
But much like Bean with Ned or Dance with Tywin or Dillane with Stannis, these cosmetic changes are worth it for the performance.
AlanQuote Reply
Absolutely not what I thought Mance would look like – but who gives a damn? He’s CIARAN HINDS! The guy’s great!
Domenico BarbatoQuote Reply
Holy ^%$#$!
John WQuote Reply
I love this actor, but he’s too old for my perfect Mance Rayder…btw I love him in Rome.
Now I hope that Ray Stevenson will join soon the cast!
PeppeQuote Reply
Reading the books i always saw him older, didnt he sneak into winterfell and get snow thrown at him by young robb and jon, he remembers seeing them as little kids when he was already an independent man
ACVGQuote Reply
Zach,
Davos, for some reason, always looked like Iain Glenn to me. And I didn’t start reading the books until halfway through season 1, so there is no logical explanation for me re-casting him as Davos, lol. Stannis was always more of an amorphous character. I couldn’t picture his face, but his personality was clear. For those reasons, and the fact that I love both Liam Cunningham and Stephen Dillane, I totally embraced their casting. They weren’t who I thought of for the role, but they worked really well.
I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who thought we was closer to Benjen in age,lol. I thought I hallucinated that for a sec. Honestly though, it’s like you said. The casting department has done such an amazing job so far, that I can’t be too worried about any casting choice. You know it’s going to work out.
KatieJoQuote Reply
From a straight book perspective, in Season 3, you are right. The role does get more substantial, and I could see the TV show adding to his role (even checking in when Jon isn’t there).
AlanQuote Reply
He is slightly older than what I imagined Mance to be, but he is a badass. Love this guy! King Beyond the Wall!
Oh and lookie what I made!
http://winteriscomingfans.activeboard.com/
FORUM!!!
Omar BrownQuote Reply
Josh Parker,
Oooh! Prince Humperdink as Mance! What a hoot that would have been. Of course, now I’m wanting Christopher Guest cast in GOT…..
Liz B.Quote Reply
Another point that some people overlook is that an actors age in real life doesn’t always directly transfer to the show, hinds may be nearly 60, but Mance could be 45 or 50 in the show, I imagine years of life beyond the wall in subzero temperatures in a world that already lacks modern medicine, cosmetics, etc. might make you look a little older than you are, and if people believe that Ian Mcilhenny could carve up 5 Kings Guard members as Barristan, I see no reason Ciarian couldnt kick John’s ass as Mance
Set DingleberryQuote Reply
KatieJo,
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0144843/
His look is perfect, and if you watch Seasons 3 and 4 of the Sopranos you’ll see his attitude is as well.
Besides, I always thought the Dornish looked a little Mediterranean, not Arabic.
Josh ParkerQuote Reply
Great actor, but can he sing?
My favorite role of his was Brian de Bois-Guilbert in the Ivanhoe 1997 mini series.
Also watch him in the funny short movie The Shore with Varys actor Conleth Hill.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBUU5QX9tBI
HieronymusQuote Reply
Alan,
I actually thought the same thing, but technically Sean Bean could have kicked Jon’s ass with no issues. You never know, Hinds could be wilier than he looks. ;p
As an aside, how old is Jon supposed to be in ADWD anyways? 18? By the time they get to that scene (if they get to it), Kit will probably be around 27 or 28, and Show!Jon, assuming he was 18 in the first season, will be between 21 and 23.
KatieJoQuote Reply
Great choice for Mance, although like many, for some reason I did picture him as being younger in the books but, hey – ho, Ciaran is a superb actor and I’m sure he’ll rock it !!
The Red ViperetteQuote Reply
Actually, given Sean Bean’s propensity for scuffles, perhaps he actually has kicked Kit Harrington’s ass once or twice!
AlanQuote Reply
http://awoiaf.westeros.org/images/thumb/c/ca/Mance_Rayder.jpg/250px-Mance_Rayder.jpg
^This here is why so many picture Mance as looking around 40 or so. Nothing GRRM says about him makes me think he’s that young.
Looking again, though, doesn’t the face in that picture kinda look like Ciaran Hinds?
Josh ParkerQuote Reply
Great news! He really is a great actor.
I do hope, though, that my two favorites from Rome cross-over eventually: Purefoy and Stevenson.
By the way, any news on a possible Val this season? WiC?
Hi-FiQuote Reply
Josh Parker,
See, I waffle on the Dornish. GRRM describes them as having a few distinct looks, based on where in Dorne someone is actually from. Since Oberyn is high nobility, and the noble families married out of the Dornish noble class a lot for political reasons, he could probably be more Mediterranean looking. That being said, I love the idea of the Dornish being Arabic. If only to show that the world of this series is so tiny that everyone looks alike. It’s not, it’s a wide, sweeping world, and should be represented as such.
…I’m reading my above statement and cringing, CRINGING, at how big of a dork I am that I just talked pretty authoritatively about political marriages in a made-up noble class. Really, let’s pretend it didn’t happen, shall we?
KatieJoQuote Reply
Very excited about this! I agree that he’s a bit too old and doesn’t quite look the way I imagined him to, but I am a very big fan of him as an actor and I know that he will do an amazing job regardless of looks! Especially considering that pretty much EVERY actor on the show is “too old” (since they seemed to have upped everyone’s ages from the novels) I’m not surprised that they went with someone older. Fits with what they’ve been doing on the show so far.
Amanda MilhollandQuote Reply
I have completed book 3 and now reading book 4.
m_kQuote Reply
Andrea
When you eventually show up, good luck to Los Pumas for tomorrow, though I think the Springboks are gonna kill them!
Aegon the ConquerorQuote Reply
Alan,
HA! I don’t know. Kit’s small, but he seems like a scrapper. ;p Then again, Sean Bean took a broken bottle to the arm and went back in the pub for a pint, so. He does have insanity on his side.
KatieJoQuote Reply
Hinds is a really fine actor , and I’m always happy to see him in anything. I always felt that many of the fan suggestions were too young. I always pictured Mance as at least a contemporary of Benjen , and maybe just a tad older. So, while I feel he’a a bit older than my ideal Mance , I’m very happy overall.
It stands to reason that his role will be fleshed out a bit at first, because , in the books , there’s a lot of story between his introduction and when he becomes more central .
I do hope for a better job of fleshing out than with Jeyne / Talisa , though.
ObsidianQuote Reply
From the asoif wiki: http://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/Dornishmen
“The Rhoynar were a slender people with smooth olive skin, black hair and dark eyes. Their impact on the Dornish gene pool is strongest along the coast, and grows faint farther inland. Dornishmen with more Andal and First Men blood are larger and fairer than those with more Rhoynish.
According to King Daeron I’s observations during his wars in Dorne, there are three group of Dornishmen:
*Salty Dornishmen live along the coasts, mainly along the Broken Arm region, where the Red Mountains stretch out into the Sea of Dorne. These Dornishmen are lithe and dark, with smooth olive skin and long black hair. They are fishermen and sailors, hard men who sail the ships of the Dornish fleet.[4]
*Sandy Dornishmen live in the deserts and the long river valleys, faces burned brown by the hot Dornish sun, they are even darker than the salty Dornishmen.[4]
*Stony Dornishmen live in the passes and heights of the Red Mountains. They have the most Andal and First Men blood and mostly resemble the other people of the Seven Kingdoms in look, customs and traditions. They are brown-haired or blond with faces that freckled or burned in the sun.[4]
*Additionally, another, smaller group exists: the Greenblood orphans are pure Rhoynar who ply the Greenblood in poleboats.”
I tend to think of Dorne as Spanish and the pure Rhoynar looking most like the Romani they seem to be partially based off.
According to the wiki, the Martells are mostly Salty Dornishmen: olive skin, lithe and dark, smooth black hair.
AlanQuote Reply
Man, am I the only one who DIDN’T picture Mance as being “young”? Was there a line in the book that I missed about his age? Because it’s hard to imagine a guy getting to where Mance is without having a few years on him. Plus, the dude lives north of the wall, and presumably spends a lot of time fighting. That’s got to age you even beyond your years.
PranksterQuote Reply
I want Purefoy as Jon Connington or the Red Viper
Danny Huston has a similar facial structure as Malahide, and he owns the “bad ass” role. He needs to be Euron.
RygarQuote Reply
Omar Brown,
I’m there :)
YvyBQuote Reply
Prankster,
Exactly. Ciaran is a perfect choice in my mind and those wishing for a younger guy or are unfamiliar with his work will not be disappointed when Mance shows up on screen.
timmy tQuote Reply
ACVG,
Jon remembers Mance as a young ranger ( as Benjen would have been ) when Robb and Jon were rascally boys .
ObsidianQuote Reply
Alan,
So the Martells could be either Mediterranean looking, or Arabic looking. Either Siddig or Castellucio would work. Just not Purefoy. He’s so plainly English, it would bug me. (And that’s the priority for this production, obviously. Not to bug ME. ;) ) A little more variety please, Thrones!
Again, Purefoy for Euron Greyjoy! It’s the only role I can see him in at this point.
KatieJoQuote Reply
Hail Caesar!
franny_beeQuote Reply
Rygar,
Philip Glenister.
Josh ParkerQuote Reply
I love it best actor cast so far in the whole of GOT… I’ll take an awesome actor such as Ciarin over “faithful to the book” any day.
Oi!Quote Reply
This is so exciting! Perfection!
CeliaQuote Reply
I am extremely excited, he doesnt look at all as I pictured mance, but hinds is an amazing actor and I am sure he will be the perfect mance, no doubt there
MoffQuote Reply
Ciaran Hinds also played Aberforth Dumbledore in the final Harry Potter film, which was a great performance… A great casting, in my view.
Sir GallahadQuote Reply
Hail Caesar! (Roman Fist Pump). Best casting news day since Carice and Stephen were announced as Mel and Stannis. As for those with reservations, remember what some fans were saying about those two, now they and we cannot imagine anyone else in the roles. Ciaran will do the same, with his impeccable and consumate Thespian skills, he will own the King beyond the Wall.
tysnowQuote Reply
I’d personally prefer they go further towards the olive than an Italian actor, especially Furio there. Just to mix it up a bit and also to create a visible differentiation. The Dornish are culturally different than the rest of the Seven Kingdoms and it’d be nice to signal that visually.
Also, as someone mentioned, the show is very monochromatic and the world as described by Martin isn’t. Let’s mix it up.
AlanQuote Reply
The role of Mance is a fairly physical one and I don’t know if Hinds is up to it…I also pictured Mance much younger than mid 60′s …however I am very familiar with this actor and I think he is fantastic..the only problem is this show is going on for many more yrs and as I said before Hinds is very old …In Nina I trust ..
Coltaine777Quote Reply
Carne,
It is known!!
Carlos G DiazQuote Reply
Danny Huston, so spake the Treausurer of the Danny Huston fan club.
Josh Parker,
RygarQuote Reply
Why are people so ageist? My father is in his 70′s a could out climb the best of them. Which is reality! This my friends is fiction and Hinds is an ACTOR! He doesn’t have to actually fight anyone , actually scale any walls etc.etc. Blimey :p
YvyBQuote Reply
Great to have Ciarán Hinds as anyone!
Please give me Pullo, Vorenus, Marc Anthony, Niobe and Atia as well.
Johan SporreQuote Reply
Coltaine777,
LOL very old? His less then 60. And in what way is the role of Mance more physical than Ceasar in Rome.
Oi!Quote Reply
Aegon the Conqueror,
“Dances around!” Yeah, but beware of the ides of March!
Jen@House StarkQuote Reply
Its mances attitude and demeanor that gives off the young vibe not his looks…we hear the things he says and does and it makes him seem more juvenile. But his physical description and even his explained history imply he is middle aged… Hes definitely gonna have a more wild and ragged look since he is a wildling so thatll help for others. Idk about others but i dont imagine all the wildlings following some young guy… Theyre following mance and the experience and knowledge he brings to the table. He left the watch ages ago and went on to be the man he is… That takes time. The age people seem to picture for him on here would seem entirely out of place for who he is and what his extensive reputation implies.
dio forelQuote Reply
AWESOME!!!!!!!!! What a great Ceasar beyond the wall he will be!!!! Just a great all around actor, obviously from Rome, but he was great in Munich and Road to Perdition (a small but great role) as well…..a sigh of relief has come over me:)
KlavonivsQuote Reply
YvyB,
Might the Ladies over 30 agree to Fassbender for the Red Viper?
Jen@House StarkQuote Reply
Jen@House Stark,
I would just agree to Fassbender ! Anything , just yes . . . Hee hee
YvyBQuote Reply
59 ain’t that old, jeez you act like he’s on his death bed
Coltaine777,
Set DingleberryQuote Reply
Oh and I’d kill for a Charles Dance – Ciaran Hinds scene.
Oi!Quote Reply
Awesome news! I loved HBO’s ROME. Hopefully a lot more former cast members of that show find their way on GoT. Kevin McKidd and James Purefoy would be who I’d love to see =]
ArthurQuote Reply
m_k,
just checking,Keep reading you’ll see why an actor of Hinds caliber and notoriety was a good idea
Set DingleberryQuote Reply
Fantastic news!! I’ve loved him ever since he played the mayor of casterbridge and phantom of the opea. He has a lot of talent and it’s great they have him a mance. He is a bit older than what I also picture for the king beyond the wall (I don’t see hom so much fighting against stannis army do to that I guess in a way purefoy or rufus sewell might have done) but this casting news is great. Can’t eait to see his scenes with jon <3
caro herreraQuote Reply
No. Mance is supposed to have long hair, and I’ve always pictured him like that.
The Young WolfQuote Reply
Alan,
I think that someone was me,lol. Like I said above, I really want some more diversity in the show. For many reasons, but mostly because it’d help to show the scope of how big Westeros is, and in comparison, how huge the world is outside of Westeros too.
KatieJoQuote Reply
I’m just curious as to what accent he’ll do …. mini obsession I know .
YvyBQuote Reply
Why all those complaining about age? I don’t think that Mance was close to Benjen age. Why because he had quiet a lot of white hairs. My parents start to have grey hairs in their early 50s, earlier than their parents that started to ahve grey hairs in late 60s…
bonQuote Reply
Definitely not what I was expecting, but I like that look and vibe that Ciarián is giving off up top. I figured Mance was in his early 40′s, because of his personality, physicality and that he was just starting a family.
Well… if the chemistry is there between Jon and Mance, that’s all I care about. I was pleasantly surprised with the Stannis badassery in Blackwater, so I’m sure they can play that off for an older Mance as well.
Sooo excited for S3 and what a wonderful night of back to back GOT episodes on HBO last night. I miss not having new episodes!
MimsyQuote Reply
Alan,
Yes, I’ll be disappointed if the Martells wind up being just dark Italian in looks. The show has the opportunity to go with a range of middle-eastern or south Asian actors, and I think they should use the chance.
Om Puri is my pick for Doran Martell. I’m fine with Siddig as Oberyn, though there are a lot of other actors I would like to see in the part too.
Ours is the FuryQuote Reply
YvyB,
It could Scottish like Craster, because he lives with wildlings… Or english like southeners, because he was raised on the Wall…
bonQuote Reply
BOOM! And Nina Gold lands a stunning slobberknocker after missing out on Dominic West! Caesar-Beyond-the-Wall!
caravaggioQuote Reply
Omar Brown,
You Ser are a pioneer! Now we just need to get WICnet to endorse it and put up a link to it up top.
Aegon the ConquerorQuote Reply
OH! MY! GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’ve been hoping for Ciaran Hinds, for the last two years!!!
I’m literally freaking out right now!!! Best news since SEAN BEAN!!!!!!!!!
LexQuote Reply
Got it, well if he doesn’t don’t get too upset, it’s not an integral part of his character afterall, personally I think Hinds would look much better with cropped hair and a beard in this role, neither of which book Mance had
The Young Wolf,
Set DingleberryQuote Reply
Perfect , in Nina Gold I trust!
Iker GernikaQuote Reply
Ciaran’s Southern accent in Political Animals was terrible and distracting and for that alone I almost booed this choice. Then I realized this is the same actor who fabulously played Julius Caesar in Rome. My confidence is fully restored. Good job, HBO, you continually prove that you are among the best in casting. I can’t wait to see Kit Harrington acting alongside this very talented actor.
DreamlifeQuote Reply
Wow, someone should mail his agent, I think he is perfect for the role.
http://www.fotohause.com/images/o/mixed-o/om-puri/om-puri-02.jpg
AbyssQuote Reply
I hope Mance ends up looking something like this.
I believe he is described as not having a beard in the books, but in my opinion a beard would be the way to go.
CarneQuote Reply
Carne,
Oh I am so with you on that one!
Aegon the ConquerorQuote Reply
Join in on the fun guys!
Forum! :-D
http://winteriscomingfans.activeboard.com/
Omar BrownQuote Reply
According to the Wiki of Ice and Fire, Mance has graying hair and other signs of older/middle years age. Hinds will be wonderful, I hope, as long as the role is written well (unlike poor Quorin).
JarvisimoQuote Reply
Jen@House Stark,
Tell that to poor Jon Snow
Aegon the ConquerorQuote Reply
Ours is the Fury,
Am I crazy or did I read somewehere that GRRM have always pictured Janina Gavankar as Arianne?
I think the Sand Snakes should have very distinct looks.
Hi-FiQuote Reply
Hinds was definitely not among my considerations for Mance but this will work nicely I think. They have set up a great dichotomy between Jon’s relationship with Mormont and his relationship with Mance. The show wishes to see Mance as a slightly younger opposite version of the Old Bear. This will work very well.
The History geek in me is giggling as Caesar has now traded places with Vercingetorix! Tee hee!
Joshua TaylorQuote Reply
I see here that almoust nobody remembers how Mance really looks. He has plenty of grey hairs!!! http://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/Mance_Rayder He can be in late 50s like actor is!!! People in late 50s can be in very good condition… My grandfather (74 years old), rides on bicycle 40 kilomethers in 1.5 hour!!! I’m serious…
bonQuote Reply
More than Kit, I hope we get to see Rose Leslie interacting with Ciarán!
Hi-FiQuote Reply
(Bows)
Just added to my favorites
RygarQuote Reply
Omar Brown,
Registered, but am not on FB. Hopefully, I can get in anyway, it was worth a try!
Jen@House StarkQuote Reply
I just thought how funny it would be if Ciaran gave Kit tips on how to pull of the “betrayed and stabbed repeatedly” scene. It just kinda made me giggle to think that Ceasar of Rome is going to be working with his GoT equivalent. “
JillianQuote Reply
Joshua Taylor,
Are you jst saying that cause now Caesar is a barbbarian, or is the actual Verc actor from Rome in GOT.
Aegon the ConquerorQuote Reply
His age doesn’t bother me. Everybody else is aged up in the show, and he was far from a young guy in the book. I think that whole talk of James Purefoy and Dominic West got people’s(i.e. fangirls) hopes up that he’d be a younger, hunkier dude. I’m sure Hinds will be fine. I’ve disliked him in everything I’ve seen him in though. He always looks like he has painful indigestion.
michael manuelQuote Reply
Jillian,
lol I see what you did there ;p
YvyBQuote Reply
Set Dingleberry,
Lol …I do like him though :) …
Coltaine777Quote Reply
OMFG! He is a great actor, but he is veryyyyyyyyyyyyyy different from the Mance that I imagined :( Let’s see…
MichelQuote Reply
Yesss!!! I can’t say that this is how I imagined Mance to look like, but I haven’t been this happy about an actor joining the cast since Sean Bean was cast as Ned. I love this guy. His was the most memorable performance in Rome, imo. When I think of Ceasar, I still imagine him to look like Ciarán Hinds. I’m very, very, very happy about this! I wanted to see him in GoT.
hhhhQuote Reply
Can Ciaran sing?
The Young WolfQuote Reply
Omar Brown,
On my mobile right now, just wait till I’m back on my laptop on Sunday and I’ll join you guys happily. Take a bow Ser I bestow on you the honourific title of Warden of the Forum.
Aegon the ConquerorQuote Reply
I think some people are way off in their mental image of Mance.
He’s described as a big man, in his “middle years”, with gray hair. He’s not young.
IMO, Hinds is perfect! He joins Sean Bean, Mark Addy, and Stephen Dillane as my favourite pieces of casting so far.
LexQuote Reply
Aegon the Conqueror,
Which book is your majesty currently on? Are you done with the series or are you on ADWD?
Jen@House StarkQuote Reply
Wow, loved him in Rome! So happy for this!!
Handmaiden of DanyQuote Reply
The Young Wolf,
He sang in Phantom of the Opera but he had no experience before then. His voice isn’t strong, but it isn’t terrible, and Mance isn’t supposed to be an opera singer anyway. http://youtu.be/p08aplisemU
Ours is the FuryQuote Reply
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CIARAN HINDS IS MANCE!!! CIARAN HINDS IS MANCE!!!!! CIARAN HINDS IS….
*coughs, looks around*
Hmm, that was an unexpected reaction. Not sure why that happened.
However, Ciaran Hinds is awesome. I’ve always thought he was great, but I saw him on stage earlier this year and it really magnified that opinion (and proved to me that he could play comedy, incidentally).
WastrelQuote Reply
Lex,
I pictured him to be in his 40s, which is the “middle years.” It’s going to be hard to erase Mads Mikkelsen from my mind’s eye, but Hinds is a great actor and I’m sure will do a good job.
paylorQuote Reply
The Young Wolf,
I’ve just Googled and he was in a musical ….
YvyBQuote Reply
I thought that at some point someone would say it was a joke/mistake because is the best casting I could imagine. This actor is a magnificent gift for GoT.
I love this man. He´s brilliant. I´ve enjoyed every character Hinds has played.
I´m truly amazed.
Aegon the Conqueror,
oh nice! Thanks! We´ll see what happens.
andreaQuote Reply
In Nina we trust! Has not everyone been aged up a bit? He is 59?? someone said mid 60′s. Next we’ll hear he is doddering onto the set with his walker.
OldGranQuote Reply
And yes… Ciaran Hinds can sing!
LexQuote Reply
I am soooo excited! Am enjoying the heck out of his performance in “Political Animals” on USA network. I have followed his career with interest ever since seeing him in “Persuasion”. Well done, Nina Gold and HBO!
uno0Quote Reply
Sweet, I loved him in Rome, maybe a bit older than I pictured Mance, but I suppose the show did add a few years to the timeline between Robert’s rebellion and the story anyway
The Queen’s HandQuote Reply
That’s pretty cool, I really liked him in Rome and I’m sure he will do a great job as Mance. I was one of the ones who didn’t picture him as being young.
God I’d forgotten how silly some of you guys are, getting in a tizzy over nothing.
GrimTuesdayQuote Reply
For the confirmed characters, there is only Daario and Vargo now…but there are many others like Belwas, Mace Tyrel, Tom, Lem, Shagwell, Dalla, Val, Styr and Varamyr (if they won’t combine then with Orell) and some others..
MichelQuote Reply
I hope to see long hair for his role. I can’t ever picture short hair on Mance.
LexyvilQuote Reply
Lexyvil,
Same here, and same for Meera without long hair and Edmure without beard
MichelQuote Reply
Lexyvil,
Like this?
CarneQuote Reply
Carne,
That will work nicely.
The GreatsteveQuote Reply
Can you imagine the scenes later on with Ciaran, Dillane and Carice (pure Emmy gold)
Waiting to hear Sophie Myles cast as Dalla/Val combo, no need for both roles, it will give the role more prominence that way.
tysnowQuote Reply
Totally pleased with this! I did picture Mance younger but I have always been a big fan of his work.
Catherine Henry-GreskovicQuote Reply
You really don’t have to worry about seriousness. Yes, Hinds normally gets serious, dour roles, but that’s not all he can do. He was in “Juno and the Paycock” in London this winter, as “Captain” Jack Boyle. For those who don’t know, Captain Jack is a tragicomic drunkard who spends most the play staggering around drunk, delivering pompous speeches, making up stories about his nautical career (one trip on a boat), cooking sausages, and making up excuses for avoiding work. He was hilarious.
I’d also reassure those who worried that Mance would be more imposing and dangerous-seeming physically. Well, believe me, Hinds does not look like a man you’d want to get into a fight with. The guy is over six foot tall, and broad-shouldered. He’s not going to look like he can take on the Hound, but he could easily look like a guy who would have been seriously dangerous when he was younger, and still shouldn’t be messed with casually.
[Which come to think of it is pretty true of his Caesar. I never had the impression that Caesar would have been easy to take down in a fight.]
WastrelQuote Reply
HAIL CAESAR – This is wonderful. GoT is amazing with the casting. Looking forward to the new season that can’t come soon enough.
queen of the hillQuote Reply
Not how I pictured Mance. The age isn’t a problem for me. I was just expecting Mance to be more unassuming. And I don’t know where people are getting that Mance was big in the books. He is described as being of ‘middling height’. But I have always said that a great actor would take significance over just looks(in most cases). Cirian Hinds is without a doubt a great actor. So I am a happy man! In Nina Gold I trust!
Tyrion PimpslapQuote Reply
Did someone say there was more news to come ^ …. don’t keep us hanging ;p
YvyBQuote Reply
Michel,
There was also a leaked audition for the role of Mero, The Titan’s Bastard.
Hi-FiQuote Reply
Wonderful! I hope we get to hear him at least hum a little. It’d give him a lot more flavor.
sjweningsQuote Reply
So most of us think that we picture Mance as younger..is that based on who we started to fancast for that role? (Purefoy etc), or is it actually based out of the books? I’m trying to remember. If he was roughly the same age as Qhorion, then he doesn’t look out of place.
SuperdeluxeQuote Reply
Holy sh………..yes yes yes thank you Nina Gold !!!
The Rome renunion will continue in season 5 with James Purefoy as Euron and Ray Stevenson as Victarion :-D
Al SwearengenQuote Reply
Gaius Julius Caesar is Mance Rayder *Goosbump* YAYYYYYYYYYY
JakeQuote Reply
I love James Purefoy as much as anybody here, but the bad news is that Reality Happens, and he’s in a Fox series this season with Kevin Bacon. They’re busy with it now, and there was no chance that JP would be free to do season 3 of GoT. If that show takes off, ditto for season 4.
I get the idea of fantasy casting, but declaring yourself “disappointed” when someone who was never available in the first place just strikes me as silly.
LynnQuote Reply
Late to the party on this one so I have not read any posts yet….
Incredible news!
I wanted Mr Hinds on the show and the roles meaty enough for him have been going to others and were running out. I did picture Mance a decade younger, but honestly they never give a description of Mance’s age. A comment about grey in his hair that means very little. I have a 22-year old co-worker who has salt and pepper hair! XD
He will have the right amount oof charisma Mance should have. Mance is not a wall flower or someone that blends in because he cannot stand out as many seemed to think. He is a charismatic man that is smart enough to know how to blend in when he need sto.
Awesome news. We have Hinds for a few years at least!
This made my day.
darquemodeQuote Reply
love Ciarán Hinds. Little older than I pictured Mance but that’s o.k. so was Sean Bean. The more Rome alumni the better I say.
dizzy_34Quote Reply
King Beyond the Rubicon!
victarionQuote Reply
I THOUGHT he looked familiar! His singing voice is perfect and that “Notes” video shows a comical side to him that is endearing. And… Persuasion!! .. Cpt Wentworth for the WIN!
MimsyQuote Reply
Polly Walker for Mance’s wife ? Kerry Condon for Val ?
Simon Woods for Aegon !!!!!
Al SwearengenQuote Reply
Carne,
Hear! Hear!
Stevenson as Victorian and after a lengthy apology and some begging from Dominic West, West as Euron Greyjoy! XD
Of course Rome alum James Purefoy would kill as Crow’s Eye too!
darquemodeQuote Reply
I feel the same way I did about the casting of Stannis & Melissandre: THE ACTORS ARE ABOUT 15-YEARS OLDER THAN THEY SHOULD BE, BUT CIARAN HINDS IS A GREAT ACTOR.
He was incredible on Rome
SerCountryFriedSteakQuote Reply
darquemode,
Screw McNutly he blew his opportunity Euron will be James Purefoy after Fox cancels that show.
Al SwearengenQuote Reply
Okay, now that the big one is out of the way, it is time for HBO to announce the rest of the roles that have been cast. We know that Vargo has already been cast because they have already been filming Jaime and Brienne’s scenes. I want to know who is playing the Goat!
Tyrion PimpslapQuote Reply
Tyrion Pimpslap,
I thought it was Tom Brooke?!?
YvyBQuote Reply
Huzzah Al. Well, maybe not Polly, she bores me tits off.
Welcome to fucking Deadwood!
RygarQuote Reply
Rygar,
:-D
Al SwearengenQuote Reply
When I first started watching Rome, I found the actor underwhelming, because I felt Caesar should have more presence, should stand out more amongst other men, because, you know, it’s Gaius! Julius! Caesar!
…But then he really grew on me and now I couldn’t imagine anyone else playing Caesar.
So, to me, he’s perfect for Mance. He could look unassuming and generic until you realize the deep charisma and depths of his leadership.
And no, Mance is not a young man. He might not meant to be pushing sixty, but who cares? It won’t affect the story in any way. They aged up all the characters, why does it matter if they aged up Mance too? I’m way more worried about the writers butchering the story than the actors being barely slightly older than the character was written.
MorriganQuote Reply
Oh lord no she’s far too old ! Ha ha ha ha ha!
YvyBQuote Reply
A woman agrees that would be a very King beyond the Wall look, what show is that pic from? Looks sort of Celt/Druid-ish.
From his work on Rome, Hinds will absolutely KILL as Mance (pun intended).
Mrs. H’gharQuote Reply
YvyB,
If I recall correctly his participation on the show was discovered on his agency’s website. I don’t remember HBO announcing him or who he was playing.
Tyrion PimpslapQuote Reply
Al Swearengen,
I have had 3 actors in my mind for Euron , each reading randomly evolves into one of them…. James Purefoy, Mads Mikkelsen and Dominic West. The first 2 being my favorites honestly.
Purefoy just IS Euron. Look at this side by side photo.
darquemodeQuote Reply
Tyrion Pimpslap,
This is true, but I reckon it’s him ;)
YvyBQuote Reply
Mrs. H’ghar,
Ivanhoe I think.
CarneQuote Reply
darquemode,
*jaw drops , tongue lolls….*
YvyBQuote Reply
lol look at the fanboy explosion!!! *
* I AM EXCITED TOO. I Love Rome. :)
queenofthornsQuote Reply
Can’t flipping wait!!
AdrianneQuote Reply
darquemode,
As soon as Euron was described and started talking in AFFC I immediately pictured Purefoy, he’s got that dark side to him and fits the look. Plus James would look so badass with an eye patch. Purefoy almost looked like The Crows Eye in Solomon Kane.
Al SwearengenQuote Reply
darquemode,
Stop it. My heart will be broken when Purefoy isn’t cast.
Hi-FiQuote Reply
Can’t flipping wait!! He was fantastic as JC, and am thrilled to death he will be Mance!!
AdrianneQuote Reply
You are all winning me over with James Purefoy as Euron, ya cunts. Lol. He has a great look for the part. If he is not available, what about Thomas Jane from Hung? They look like brothers.
RygarQuote Reply
I’m not a big Purefoy fan, but I can dig him as Victarion or Euron. Mention him as the Red Viper, and my blood will boil, though.
Tyrion PimpslapQuote Reply
Al Swearengen,
I completely agree about Solomon Cane!
Same image I have for the most part…. maybe a little Wesrosi tweak to his appearance.
darquemodeQuote Reply
The more heartbreaking thing is Purefoy is a fan of the series
Al SwearengenQuote Reply
Hey what about Purefoy for the Red Viper?
Sorry TyrionPimpslap…. you all but dared me :D
YvyBQuote Reply
Tyrion Pimpslap,
Victarion to me needs a good physical build !! I want to believe that the actor playing Victarion could smash a mans head in with just his bare hands. Even though I dream about casting Rome actors in every role for GOT I honestly think Ray Stevenson would make a perfect Victarion, he’s got the build and Pullo has some similar charastics as Victarion
Al SwearengenQuote Reply
People forget that Mance is described as being in his “middle years” with all grey hair and laugh-lines at the corner of his mouth – aka his mid-to-late 50′s. Ciarán Hinds is 59, but doesn’t look a day over 50, so I think he’s the perfect age for the role.
dubqQuote Reply
Winter Is Coming,
Queen of Thorns casting turned out to be pretty big too.
queen of the hillQuote Reply
Tyrion Pimpslap,
Swagger wise I think Purefoy has the Red Viper in him, but I agree with most that the Martells should be Arab, Israeli, Mediterranean, Near Eastern etc
I have always seen Oded Fehr as Red Viper I guess, or someone close in appearance. Lately I have been lovely Amr Waked and want to see him in some role, Oberyn could work. Hrithik Roshan has the goods for the role for sure, but I’ve been told he does not like to work outside Bollywood.
The one “non-POC” actor I can see in the role is Rudolf Martin. I think he is German, but I have seen him play Israeli and Middeleastern in so many shows I think of him as such I guess. Martin just has that “Viper” look to him with the heavy widow’s peak and those snake-like eyes.
darquemodeQuote Reply
Nooooooooooo! This kills after the dominic west near miss news. They may have been better of with an unknown with a little devil in his eyes. I can’t imagine this actor prancing over dead bodies in winterfell playfully playing his lute like in ADwD.
I guess will have to wait and see. Maybe he will knock it out of the park.
BaelQuote Reply
Al Swearengen,
Just imagine this scene taking place on a ship!
CarneQuote Reply
Carne,
Exactly !!
Ray is such a badass.
Al SwearengenQuote Reply
Aegon the Conqueror,
Lol. The first thing.
Joshua TaylorQuote Reply
darquemode,
Oh yes, Oded Fehr is my dream choice to play Oberyn. The guy has the look. Plus, he is capable of playing a warrior(‘The Mummy’) and a womanizer(‘Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo’).
Tyrion PimpslapQuote Reply
Ray should of been Mance, he grew up at the end of the wall in Newcastle. Oh well he’s certainly good with an axe so Victarion works too I guess
YvyBQuote Reply
Dreamlife,
Oh, seven hells! I stopping watching after half the first episode because I could not tolerate another second of that horrible performance.
Yeah, yeah, great actor, different character, blah, blah, blah. Not sure there’s enough Dornish Red in King’s Landing to wash the memory of that catastrophe out of my mind.
Yellow DogQuote Reply
YvyB,
I assume Stevenson’s role on Dexter will be done this season so he will hopefully be available for a role on Thrones in Season 4. If not Victarion maybe Mace Tyrell or Randall Tarly (if they do not appear this season), although I picture other actors in those two roles honestly.
darquemodeQuote Reply
I would have to agree on all points.
WildSeedQuote Reply
Except eons between versions and both expertly done.
WildSeedQuote Reply
Yellow Dog,
I had hopes for Political Animals, but that was a mess all around!
Hinds accent was bad, but passable for me if everything and everyone else in the production was good. Alas, there was not much to praise about that show.
darquemodeQuote Reply
WildSeed,
My Favorite is still 2006 Toby Stevens tho… hmmmm.
YvyBQuote Reply
I didn’t read any other comments to see what people think.
This is fucking great. He plays sympathy and menace equally well.
What a get. Fantastic.
GreatJon of SlumberQuote Reply
darquemode,
Is there any red heads left… can i have Toby Stevens please? :0)
YvyBQuote Reply
I love him as an actor, LOVED his work on Rome, and I think he would have made an amazing Stannis, but I’m not sure I agree with this casting. I think of Mance as funny, dark, and charming, and Ciaran is more of a dour, gravitas guy.
MalcatrazQuote Reply
Psh! That’s a day at the market in Westeros. ;-)
MimsyQuote Reply
YvyB,
Jon Connington or “Griff” is a redhead – a greying redhead at least. Stephens is a bit young for him to have been a good friend of Rhaegar’s though maybe.
Mero the Titan’s Bastard is a redhead, but he should appear this year I think and may already be cast….
I’m pretty sure there are others, but none jump into my mind right now….
darquemodeQuote Reply
Yes Yes Yes. Perfect….Purefoy as the Red Viper. Since the role is compact so to speak, he should be able to fit it into his busy schedule.
CatQuote Reply
Malcatraz,
I think of Hinds that way too honestly, but I have seen enough roles from him I know he can become Mance… No worries here.
I orignally really liked Hinds as Thoros of Myr for the reasons you mentioned. A bit dour, has that gravitas that a man who knows his god is looking out for him might have. Plus Hinds has that loose flesh around his face and neck that latterday Thoros is described as having due to being a fat man that has greatly shrunk in girth.
Not disparaging Paul Kaye at all. He should be something different as Thoros, but quite good I imagine.
darquemodeQuote Reply
Malcatraz,
Caesar was definitely charming in Rome at least to those around him, even if it was a smarmy condescending charm, i think you’re selling Hinds short, the guy has a lot of range, he’ll exhibit the necessary charisma required to play Mance
Set DingleberryQuote Reply
darquemode,
Graham McTavish as Randyll Tarly! Told his agent about GoT, and he was very interested in getting McTavish on the show. He even asked me to send him a list of character he would fit!
CarneQuote Reply
Carne,
you always have the best suggestions!
That said, I’m not sure that Tarly and even Mace Tyrell are big enough roles to land these actors. They can always beef them up in the show, though!
Hi-FiQuote Reply
F*** ME. I’M GONNA LOSE MY SHIT!
Ciaran Hinds is probably one of my top 5 favourite actors, this is insane, this cast is really shaping up as becoming my ultimate dreamcast. Ciaran Hinds AND Stephen Dillane sharing a scene together?! I can’t handle this. Where is that bottle of Arbor gold? This calls for a goddamn celebration!
MachaQuote Reply
Carne,
Good call but with working on The Hobbit trilogy that’s a tricky schedule.
Al SwearengenQuote Reply
darquemode,
Clearly with the Rome theme going today our Griff should be Kevin McKidd !
Al SwearengenQuote Reply
Jen@House Stark,
No I’m done finished ADWD last year when it came out. Busy with the reread, just started ASoS
Aegon the ConquerorQuote Reply
Al Swearengen,
He’s in NZ until August and doing reshoots in early 2013 (according to his agent).
Funnily enough he was also in Rome!
CarneQuote Reply
Carne,
He is one of the actors I will have on my list for Tarly!
Right now I have him, Mark Strong, Johnny Harris and Brian F O’Byrne, but I would still love Peter Mullan to be on Thrones and I thnk he could do a great Randyll Tarly (albeit a bit older)!
Another actor I thought of after watching Robin Hood (he played sir Robert Loxley) was Douglas Hodge. He has a connection to Nina Gold having just done “Coup” that was cast by her…. Plus, he has a similar look to Sam (or John Bradley) although of course that is not needed and almost goes against how Sam is described honestly.
darquemodeQuote Reply
Carne,
Haha really ?? Must have been one of the gang members.
Al SwearengenQuote Reply
Al Swearengen,
Yea, he was in 2 episodes. Not a big role.
CarneQuote Reply
Tyrion PimpslapQuote Reply
darquemode,
Yes, I’ll have mark Strong as well please :0) Thank you .
YvyBQuote Reply
But can he sing?
Topdecker577Quote Reply
NPO,
The man that played Mark Antony would be PERFECT as the Crow’s Eye, Euron Greyjoy’s brother!!!! PERFECT i tell ya!! with an eye-patch and that lazy grin, he’d nail the part too i believe
Dave BrownellQuote Reply
Looks like Ciaran might have to ‘act’ then.
SuperdeluxeQuote Reply
Topdecker577,
Lex posted a great YouTube of Hinds singing from Phantom of the Opera.
http://youtu.be/N2iU8XGaEx8
Definitely can carry a tune well enough to play Mance.
darquemodeQuote Reply
OMG!! Fantastic! Can’t wait to see what he makes of the character. I met him after a play(the Birds) in the Gate Theatre in Dublin, and he was very friendly and talkative.
Brilliant!
SilverjaimeQuote Reply
Dave Brownell,
Haha Euron Greyjoy is the Croweye. You’re thinking of Victorian.
On the other side though the guy your thinking of is James Purefoy and several commenters here are also fans ofhim as Crowseye. One guy even posted a side by side to show the similarities between the two. Check it out.
Aegon the ConquerorQuote Reply
Silverjaime,
That must have been fun! XD
He may play the the dark and cynical most of the time, but the behind the scenes stuff with him that I’ve seen he is charming, witty and quite fun!
darquemodeQuote Reply
Yes. He was in phantom of the opera as one of the owners. As comic relief.
FreoduwebbeQuote Reply
I’m just happy with this announcment!
Two days ago I was thinking enough time had passed since West turned down the role… and here comes Hinds! XD
Now Janet McTeer as Maege Mormont! XD
I kid… I’m sure Lady Mormont will be an extra again, but having just watched Damages and been visually reminded of McTeer’s stature… I had to say it. XD
darquemodeQuote Reply
Lex,
Great minds think alike. This is one of the best castings so far!
SilverjaimeQuote Reply
Can he sing!!?
BrightroarQuote Reply
Ah I hope not, I love to see The She Bear cast.
YvyBQuote Reply
Hope they stay true to Jon’s story in the third book. Like him mistaking styr for mance and tormund making fun of him
BrightroarQuote Reply
Excellent news!!! Series 3 gets better and better and it’s not even started yet!!
Ser MarcusQuote Reply
YvyB,
She was already seen played by an unnamed extra in Episode 1×08 The Pointy End in Season 1, or at least the woman is assumed to be Maege Mormont.
Who knows though, in the aftermath of the Red Wedding with so many of Stark’s bannermen being held prisoner we may get to see some of them in new scenes not based on any POV from the books…..
darquemodeQuote Reply
Sir Gallahad,
NYIQuote Reply
Wait what? That was Hinds??? I never noticed.
NYIQuote Reply
What’s great about this casting is that CH has an amazing PRESENCE when he’s on the screen. He wont even have to talk much. He is going to shine as Mance and I can not wait to see him with Kit. I think that Kits acting got better in S2 and I attribute a lot of that to the great chemistry he had with Rose. Working with someone like CH will only improve his own acting. Should be tastey.
RygarQuote Reply
darquemode,
Eww no! Ha ha! Any ways they did that with Beric and Shereen so I’m not worried :)
YvyBQuote Reply
Josh Parker,
The face is very similar to Hinds to be sure. I thought the same thing… Another one that Amok got right.
I was never really solid on Mance’s age just like many other characters in ASOIAF honestly. I leaned towards 45-50, but he could really have been younger or older. I don’t think 60 is too old at all.
darquemodeQuote Reply
I was expecting them to cast Ciaran Hinds as someone at some point. I just have this gut feeling that we’ll be seeing familiar faces from more HBO series crop up as time goes by. The Wire, Rome…take your pick.
I never considered the idea of him playing Mance, though. Sort of took me by surprise. Nevertheless, he’s an awesome actor and Nina Gold hasn’t let us down yet, so looking forward to it!
Ivan GroznyQuote Reply
YvyB,
I know. XD
I always picture Maege more like this great fan art. McTeer in Into the Storm as Clemmie Churchhill looked fairly similar to how I pictured the She Bear. Although let’s be honest, it is a very small role and may not be cast at all.
Oh well, it’s fun to imagine every role in ASOIAF no matter how small!
darquemodeQuote Reply
Did any of you actually read the books? Mance has long gray/graying hair.
KGQuote Reply
darquemode,
That pic is AMAZING! Yeh I like her, she’s been in a lot of period drama over here. But if feel she may be a bit dainty for my taste I’m looking for a female Cosmo :D
Mind you she’s another Geordie, so she can certainly do the accent !
YvyBQuote Reply
As Samwell’s dad…..?
WildSeedQuote Reply
Irrfan Khan from “In Treatment” (HBO connection!) and Slumdog millionaire needs to be Doran Martell.
It is known :-)
MATTHEWQuote Reply
WildSeed,
Yup! McTavish fits the description given in the book.
CarneQuote Reply
Macha,
you made me laugh. I tried to write a calm/cool comment but what you wrote is kinda what I felt. I´m really amazed with this cast. I hope the show deserves it.
andreaQuote Reply
Totally off topic…
New trailer for Sly vs Drogo (Jason Momoa) movie is out called ‘Bullet to the Head’. I must say seeing Jason wield that axe around gave me chills. Drogo lives!!! Check it out =]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDiaXZiIJOQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player
ArthurQuote Reply
MATTHEW,
I like that quite a bit, I may have to add him to my list!
He was great in In Treatment and Slumdog.
I have a actor on my list that looks somewhat similar, David Dennis. I think he is South African, but I have seen him in Kidnap and Ransom and Strike Back (both filmed in South Africa I think) playing more MiddleEastern roles.
darquemodeQuote Reply
Not what I images but I love Ciaran!
AND he continues my “saw a movie with them in at at TIFF” trend. (The Debt)
phoenix_tornsQuote Reply
Carne,
Did you think of any other roles for his agent?
I know we discussed it before , but neither of us came up with any that jumped out at us other than Randyll Tarly. Maybe Archibald Yronwood in a later season assuming they bring Yronwood along with Quentyn Martell in the series.
darquemodeQuote Reply
Everyone is older on tv series though guys, eddard was 35 in books but clearly 45 on tv, it’s just what we have to live with. I’m sure this guy will b great. Need val now!
AshQuote Reply
Wonder how many more people are going to ask if he can sing?
Read the friggen comments people!
Aegon the ConquerorQuote Reply
Aegon the Conqueror,
Oh my god ! I turned to my partner and said I’m going to put ” can you read?” lol
YvyBQuote Reply
Season 3, mance has finally been cast. But there’s still People id like to see, Axell Florent, Vargo Hoat,Daario Naharis, Mace Tyrell, wishful think for Garlan. And even more wishful thinking for a Kettleblack
BrightroarQuote Reply
darquemode,
I did send some suggestions. On the top of my head I suggested Randyll Tarly, Victarion Greyjoy and Donal Noye.
CarneQuote Reply
Man am I the only one who doesn’t care what book Mance was like and is totally OK with Hines making him the biggest badass on the show. I feel the same way I did about Stannis, its fine that GRRM gave him him this complex anti-hero quallities but give me the guy who is first to the beach first up the wall. Same goes for Mance give me a guy who is so bad ass even the wildlings follow him, not some charasmatic but kinda wimpy bard.
House SnowQuote Reply
Ciaran Hinds is actually who I think of when I think of Doran Martell, but I’d actually prefer it to be actual olive-skinned people.
This show keeps stockpiling great actors.
And I’m not sure, but I think he can sing. Anyone know?
AlanQuote Reply
Oh, and darq, what do you think of Robert Sheehan as Satin? He fits the description and is a great actor! Though I’m not sure if he would accept a small role like that (depends on if they expand it or not).
CarneQuote Reply
And they have to cast lem, lemoncloak.
BrightroarQuote Reply
Alan,
Facepalm! Check above!
Aegon the ConquerorQuote Reply
Carne,
I’m not a huge Sheehan fan like many on here, but I think he certainly fits the image of a young man that once was a brothel worker now in the NW! His portayal of BJ in the Red Riding Trilogy stands out to me as his best work and coincidentally he played a rent boy.
OF course curly haired youngish actors are not hard to come by if they keep the role of Satin small like in the books. If they beef it up a bit I could see someone like Sheehan taking the part though!
Re: McTavish..
It’s odd, I see him as a similar actor to Ray Stevenson and while I had thought of Stevenson as both Noye and Victarion (as well as Tarly at one point) I never thought of McTavish as as either. He would be pretty god as any of the three though I think you’re spot on.
darquemodeQuote Reply
Oh no, I know. My comment was sarcastic. I posted it before I read your comment, but after I had the 75 other comments asking if he could sing.
AlanQuote Reply
Carne,
hes a wildling. im pretty sure he’ll have a beard lol
Padraig O’FaolainQuote Reply
Padraig O’Faolain,
I hope so, but in the book he does not.
The majority of Hind’s roles are beardless, so it would be nice to see him with one :)
CarneQuote Reply
darquemode,
Just wishful thinking on my part. Satin is one of those characters they can easily drop. There’s already so many NW members! Jon, Sam, Pyp, Grenn, Edd and so on. Adding Satin is probably not needed.
There is indeed something similar with Stevenson and McTavish. Both in looks and roles.
CarneQuote Reply
woooooooooo!!!!!!! hell do just fine!! wait till he gets on set!! youll see!!
novichasoQuote Reply
I can easily see that Mctavish guy as Randyll Tarly.
The Young WolfQuote Reply
I seem to be one of the only ones who viewed Mance as a bit older :-/ did I miss something in the books?
Great casting though. I wonder who they’re going to do the giants.
ArithineQuote Reply
The only actor that was so different it took me back was Asha/Yara, she is good just very different from her book character.
The rest has all been gravy, this guy should be GREAT! If I were a Wildling I would follow this man!
Oh and again:
http://winteriscomingfans.activeboard.com/
Join us, the maiden pools are fine!
Omar BrownQuote Reply
A woman agrees with you Omar! Also registered on your forum but am having trouble signing in (probably due to the differences in punctuation allowed for ID names, like here I have an apostrophe in my name, but on Twitter it’s @MrsH_ghar since you can’t use an apostrophe). I cannot find the “contact” link on your forum either! AARRGH, can’t even read the posts! Would you PM me on Twitter please @MrsH_ghar? I did not receive the registration email, perhaps I mis-punctuated my email name. AARRGGH. This woman is not as tech-savvy as she wishes to be. : – (
Mrs. H’gharQuote Reply
I want Lem Lemoncloak
BrightroarQuote Reply
Mrs. H’ghar,
Msgd you on Twitter, I’ll try and help you register!
Omar BrownQuote Reply
Superdeluxe,
Dan? Is that you?
MalcatrazQuote Reply
I just woke up, got onto the site, saw this and went: HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!
Now all we need is giants and mammoths beyond the wall and we’re sorted. Oh and a Ghost dream maybe (:
mags giantsbabeQuote Reply
: – )
Mrs. H’gharQuote Reply
This inspired me to go back and rewatch Rome, and I am just in love with the show all over again. Of course Hinds is wonderful. Tobias Menzies, our Edmure, is Brutus and I am somewhat sad I can’t look forward to Mance and Edmure scenes together.
ZackQuote Reply
I just re-watched Rome a few months ago (3rd viewing), and I already want to watch it again. One of my all time favourites (along with Deadwood and the Sopranos).
Anyone here who still hasn’t watched Rome should really give it a chance. It takes 3 or 4 episodes before it gets really good (kind of like GOT and most other HBO shows), but it’s worth it. Great performances, compelling storylines, and similar to GOT in a lot a ways.
LexQuote Reply
mags giantsbabe,
I hope we get mammoths and giants! D&D teased it in an issue of Empire Magazine.
The way they could do this the cheapest way is:
Option 1: Dress up an actual elephant (they’re usually trained, unlike bears), put it infront of a green screen (like they did with wolves), insert into scene.
Option 2: Create a 3D mammoth and save some money on detailed textures by slightly obscuring it with falling snow etc.
As for the giants, this is even easier (compared to CG): Here you can just use prosthetic make up on a bulky actor, place him in front of a green screen and insert into scene. Example of how they did it in Harry Potter.
CarneQuote Reply
Lex,
The only thing I dislike about Rome was the overfilled Season 2 where they crammed in too much story and time in too few episodes. If Rome had a proper Season 2 and then a Season 3 it would be almost a perfect series to me!
Still a very good series, but I always am a little disappointed with the last half of Season 2 in particular.
darquemodeQuote Reply
I used to feel the same, but I enjoyed Season 2 a lot more on my recent viewing. The time jumping towards the end is definitely jarring (especially since Season 2 only has 10 episodes) but they still did a great job with the scenes they showed.
I prefer Season 1 (with Ciaran Hinds), it’s a must-watch… but Season 2 is better than I originally remembered.
LexQuote Reply
If they had started shooting in July.. and the season finale of season 2 was on June 4.. [so D&D spent only less than a month writing.. about 2days per episode] does that mean that season 3 will be as poorly written as season 2? Season 1 was brilliant but I have always thought that season 2 was so flawed because it was too rushed whereas they had a lot of time to write and prepare season 1.. I don’t mind waiting an extra 6 months between seasons if it means better writing.. plus recasting roles is always a sign of the downfall of a series.. I do not understand why they did not make some of the actors that left sign contracts requiring them to return in later seasons [LOST also had a very large cast as well.. and even the minor characters used to come back season to season].. I am sure D&D were aware that Maestor Aemon and the greatjon have roles in season 3.. why not require them to return later in season 3? Imagine Maestor Aemon being recast.. that would just look so bad..
Also, I hate it when writers assume that the general public [esp the non-readers] are retarded… They better not include some scenes in season 3 that contribute nothing to the story and whose only function would be to “remind the ‘retarded audience’ that Lysa Arryn still exists”…
WinturdQuote Reply
Awesome!!! Ciaran Hands is one of my favorite actors, a truly underrated gem of an actor.
The Lightning LordQuote Reply
Two things wrong with that comparison. First, LOST definitely did have problems when actors didn’t or couldn’t come back after a season. Richard Alpert was almost written out of the show, until conveniently his oth show Cane was cancelled and the actor could return. Meaning the character had spent a while being “elsewhere.”
Secondly, certain characters (eg. Mr Eko) were written out because actors wanted to leave – in Eko’s case he just didn’t want to live in Hawaii anymore. Certain parts of Ben’s storyline were originally meant to happen Eko in later seasons. Because D&D are running a show based on novels, they have waaaaaaaay less freedom than other shows to just change storylines based on actor schedules (although they still do it if they need to).
Don’t assume that other big-budget shows don’t have casting problems… You don’t hear about them if you don’t know what was originally planned to happen.
ChickenduckQuote Reply
Winturd,
Feel better? Also, do you really think they only started writing the day of the season finale? They wrapped filming of season 2 in October/November of last year. They were working on scripts for season 3 long before season 2 even aired. I do agree that the show could benefit from more time, but we know that will never happen. Another thing to consider is that they weren’t sure how well the show would be received or if there would even be a season 2. I’m fairly confident that they knew there would be a season 3 after the success of season 1. Hopefully knowing that allowed them to start production earlier and afforded them a little extra time.
Tyrion PimpslapQuote Reply
Geez, I don’t want to be cruel, but you’ve made some pretty daft assumptions in this statement.
Firstly, what on Earth makes you think they wait for the finale to air before writing the next season?!!!!!! They’ve been writing for months! GRRM was writing his episode months before that. The writing for the entire third season would have been finished well before the S2 finale aired.
Secondly, are you seriously not aware that TV series are written by teams of writers, and there will be numerous episodes being written simultaneously by different people?!
How could you possible think that D&D were writing an entire series in a month, spending 2 days on each ep, and able to start filming straight away?
ChickenduckQuote Reply
loved Rome! this guy will be great
Odessa AshQuote Reply
Winturd,
I am one of the people that thought Season 2 had its flaws too…..
I’m not sure your next assumption is correct though. I think D&D have worked on scripts for this season long before last season ended. Not to mention they are not the only writers….
I do agree on the supporting cast though. I can understand some not being under contract, but more of the roles that D&D knew would be ongoing recurring supporting cast for multiple seasons should have been locked down for however many seasons each role required.
Your last point I have mixed feelings on I guess. I think some non-POV scenes are about more than JUST reminding people certain characters exist and are still in play. There is a lot going on around Westeros that is not in the books. Some events are mentioned and others are not, but since each character has a full life many, many scenes that are not in the books should be in the TV series. However, I do think D&D try to make GOT more palatable to a larger audience and because of that lose some of the nuance that makes ASOIAF so brilliant.
In regards to Lysa in specific…. WE know Littlefinger went to Lysa around this time in the books , but we did not read about it. I don’t have an issue having scenes in the series that were events that happened away from the POVs in the books. I just hope it is better than last season’s Robb and Talisa love story. We knew it happened in the book, but the series showed something much different and far less effective than what was in the book. Moreover, they basically changed the entire history of Robb and Jeyne. It may yet pay off in Season 3 or 4. I hope so, but as it stands now that plot was completely unneeded and poorly handled to me.
Well I hope Season 3 is better for you… and better for me… and great for everyone!
darquemodeQuote Reply
Just checked the board after being gone for a few days. This is wonderful casting! Who’d have thought?
CaryQuote Reply
Totally :D
CaryQuote Reply
Cary,
I know right?! XD
Very surprising to me at least. I guess I suspected Hinds would be unavailable for this season. Although thinking about it I guess his currently airing project (Political Animals) is a limited run series that has completed filming.
I’m over the moon about the casting of a fairly big named actor as Mance, an actor who fits the image I have of Mance, and an actor I like quite a bit! I was a bit worried that when Dominic West turned them down that HBO may have to settle. Getting Ciaran Hinds is certainly not settling! XD
darquemodeQuote Reply
The book describes Mance to fit the same age as Hinds so I don’t get why people are saying they pictured him younger :S he had greyish hair ffs.
DaveQuote Reply
Alan, that cracked me up! Whether you ment it or not :D
YvyBQuote Reply
*high-five* And I really tried to tone it down. :) My initial comment would have been all CAPS and probably three paragraphs of exclamation marks. I’m still not over it.
MachaQuote Reply
damn I wanted Ron Perlman!
LiamQuote Reply
Thiago Waldhelm,
Please do watch Rome, especially the first season – its wonderful! You’ll enjoy it.
GezQuote Reply
But can he sing ;)
Tom O’ SevensQuote Reply
(hasn’t even read the above 300+ comments)
WOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH
Blackfish BluesQuote Reply
This is absolutely brilliant news. He was perfect as Caesar in Rome. Very surprising casting but I couldnt be happier.
GezQuote Reply
OH HELL YEAH.
EleanorQuote Reply
While Mance’s age is never made explicit Hinds does seem too old to be beating Jon at sword practice and surprising him with his strength. That said he is a terrific actor and if show Mance is a little different than book Mance it wouldn’t be the first character like that that turns out fine.
BloodQuote Reply
Wishful thinking for the casting of the Lord of starfall, Edric Dayne,
BrightroarQuote Reply
Blood,
But… you got that all wrong, of course if you are talking about the scene from ADWD. Jon thinks he fights with Rattleshirt, so how that fight would look like depends on actor that will be chosen to play Rattleshirt. If they choose to show him as they did in season 2 (no face visible), they can probably use any strong extra/stunt. :P
DanQuote Reply
While he’s not who i would have pictured for mance, I can say that I’m very exicted about this casting. Ciaran Hinds did such a marvelous job in Rome, that I would be ok with him cast as Arya!
Lord Ned’s HeadQuote Reply
Dan,
I know that. My point is that a 64?, maybe, year old Mance would be unlikely to beat Jon in a fight. Whoever “plays” him in that scene or if the scene is even in when they get there is not relevant. But like I said it doesn’t matter if show Mance is a little different than he is in the books.
BloodQuote Reply
well, i never created a clear image of mance in my head so the guy being older is not a issue for me. and since i liked him on ‘rome’ a lot, this casting gets a big yay! from me.
jkbQuote Reply
Not to mention that everything doesn’t tape at once, so they have time to flesh out the details while filming earlier scenes/episodes. Just like earlier episodes are probably being edited while later scenes are still filming. I would guess the scheduling looks more like a spiderweb than a straight line.
JillQuote Reply
I don’t see his age being an issue re: fighting ability. Sixty-something Barristan the Bold is one of the best fighters in Westeros, and he could cut through the Kingsguard like carving a cake. :)
Ours is the FuryQuote Reply
Well I was hoping for Ken Jeong but I guess Hinds will do.
HouseLarkQuote Reply
Around what time will we start seeing small clips of the show? What time last year were these released? I’m dieing to see what Meera looks like in her green leather with her frogspear. I know the filled out Direwolves and Bigger flying dragons won’t be seen till a few weeks before the first episode airs because CGI and stuff but I hope we get new character profiles by mid winter =]
ArthurQuote Reply
Eh, he’s a great actor but not my first pick. I would liked him as Doran Martell though.
But seriously, I never cared about Mance that much anyway.
Who’s Vargo? That’s what I’m wondering.
TheAmirQuote Reply
Arthur,
Probably character stills before videos.
CarneQuote Reply
This would be perfect. I would also be all for D&D starying from the source material in order to give these two more scenes. Their talent would be wasted on the show if they were to only be in the few scenes that they are in the books.
RygarQuote Reply
Winturd,
I love how people can be so stupid that they have no idea how shows are written the prime example being you , The season 2 scripts were written a year before they were aired genius ! Before you spew shit like the rest of book purists at least do a little research so you don’t embarrase yourself .
Claudiu GherganuQuote Reply
Why are you always so mean to people?This is a serious question.
Claudiu Gherganu,
My last post was about Ray Stevenson and Purefoy as Vic and Euron. Not sure why it didnt paste when I quoted.
RygarQuote Reply
Claudiu Gherganu,
EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE EMBARRASE
WinturdQuote Reply
He’s, what, six years older than Sean Bean? Not that much.
Plus, as I say, Hinds is tall – 6-1 or 6-2, compared to Bean at 5-10. And big – not musclebound, but a wide frame. And yes, I think he’s put on a bit of weight, unsurprisingly, but with the right costume I think he’d look a very powerful man. [He loomed over everyone in Tinker Tailor pretty intimidatingly, although admittedly most of the other actors were on the small side]
So Mance vs Jon, Mance will be four inches taller, and no beanpole, probably costumed to look powerful, vs John looking pretty ragged. Plus Hinds looks ruthless and weather-bitten, whereas Jon is fresh-faced and naive-looking. I don’t think the audience will struggle to see Mance as a potential warrior.
An example: James Cosmo is a similar size to Ciaran Hinds, and several years older. But I wouldn’t find it hard to believe the Old Bear taking Jon in a fight.
WastrelQuote Reply
Someone should contact James Purefoy’s agent and get him to campaign for the role of Euron.
They should also contact Oded Fehr’s agent to campaign for The Red Viper.
Al SwearengenQuote Reply
Aegon the Conqueror,
Yes thank you, i worked 10hours yesterday at work and wasnt thinking straight lool. I didnt picture him as Victarion, but the brother that gets the seafome throne after theon’s father died lol. The dude with the eyepatch
Dave BrownellQuote Reply
Sorry i cant seem to get the “reply” and “quote” functions to work correctly using my phone. Winturd, that guy always seems to pick on others of a different opinion.
RygarQuote Reply
Wow, so many haters. “He’s too old!” all of the characters have been aged up, get over it. And if he’s good enough to play Julius Fucking Caesar he’s good enough to play Mance Rayder. yeesh.
hashblower420Quote Reply
Amazing casting news as usual. Anyone who has seen ROME knows what I mean. Who else could consolidate the power of the free folk besides gaius Julius ceasar himself! Haha. Now we need purfoy as red viper or crows eye, Stevenson as victarion, mckidd as connington, and possibly the kid who played young octavian as aegon?? That kid was great. Wonder how old he is now, what he looks like and if he’s still acting..
DARKSTARKQuote Reply
I am thinking that Nina will cast Anglo-Indians in the Dornish roles. There are numerous, talented actors in this ethnic category, many residing in the UK or India (Bollywood). Irfan Khan being one, then there is Freido Pinto or Parminder Nagra actress from Bend It Like Beckham (My personal fav), or a newcomer like Aruna Shields, there is obviously a wealth of Indian talent that Ms. Gold can cast as the Martell clan, and the availability to select from hundreds of young minor actresses for the Sand Snakes.
tysnowQuote Reply
I don’t pay much heed to the age or appearance of book vs screen characters, except in the instances where it is integral to their personalities (Brienne has to be big and tall, Tyrion a dwarf, etc). That said, I’m surprised to find out I always pictured Mance older than most people did. Younger than Jeor Mormont but deff. older than Benjen. I’m wondering now if I didn’t miss some line.
Anywho, Ciarán Hinds is a wonderful actor and I am happy to have him on board. I was not expecting such a big name for Mance! The only thing that I wonder is about the veiled menace his eyes transmit to me. Perhaps they are going for a darker Mance? If he can turn that on and off, and go from unasuming charm to menace and back in a second, it’ll bring the house down. I do not worry about fighting scenes, I’m sure he’ll pull it off. And I join the club who hopes he gets a beard! Can’t imagine the wildings shaving too often… :)
We can only judge an actor on a role once we’ve seen his performance, but I’m certainly looking forward to see what he’ll bring to the role.
Tír AirgidQuote Reply
This. Couldn’t have said it better.
Tír AirgidQuote Reply
I’ve always thought this too, even though that’ll mean I won’t get Amr Waked as the Red Viper. It makes a lot of sense.
Tír AirgidQuote Reply
No. James Purefoy should be banned from GoT. People need to stop suggesting him for every role, or we will have words.
I have however taken your advice about emailing agents and emailed Irrfan Khan’s agent at Brillstein entertainment and eloquently petitioned him to encourage Mr. Khan to sign on for season 4 as Doran Martell (my preference) or Oberyn Martell.
In fact, as chief fan in charge of casting suggestions, I a have made the executive decision that henceforth all Dornishmen and women should be of Desi extraction.
Irrfan Khan can play Doran
Parminder Nagra as Arianne
Padma Lakshmi is a huge fan of GoT (I just made that up, btw) so she will do a 3-episode cameo as Obara Sand
And How about Dev Patel as Quentyn!!!! He doesn’t look like he does in the book but he has the perfect attitude. Never mind that he has a million other projects going on.
M.I.A. as Sallera/Alleras Sand
I can’t decide who should be Oberyn, though, because casting as Irffan Khan as *both* brothers would be a distracting stunt, though I’m sure he has the chops to pull it off
MATTHEWQuote Reply
He has the perfect look!!!! I would even bend slightly on my all-Desi requirement for Dornishmen
MATTHEWQuote Reply
From Westeros.org:
http://www.westeros.org/GoT/News/Entry/Two_More_for_S3_Ramon_Tikaram_Dan_Hildebrand_Join_Cast/
The RabbitQuote Reply
Nice choices. Dan Hildebrand has that Ben-Kingsley-from-Sexy-Beast look to him, which would be perfect for an evil slaver.
Ramon Tikaram has very exotic, intimidating features which will suit him well playing a brutal, foreign sellsword captain.
MATTHEWQuote Reply
tysnow,
That’s how I have been leaning too…
Nina has worked with Aiysha Hart, Ameira Darwish and Caitlin Joseph all in the past year alone and all 3 of them would make for a great Arianne Martell or Nymeria Sand.
The thing that will be interesting to me is to see how they cast the Sand Snakes and how much they tak into consideration their individual mother’s heritage. Tyrene is suppsoedly blonde and blue-eyed with fiar skin, Sarella has Summer Island heritage, Nymeria’s mom is from Volantis (is Talisa a Sand Snake? XD), and Obarra’s was an Old Town whore. Will all 4 of the older Sand Snakes look dramatically different or wil lthey cast more ethnically similar actresses?
Speaking of Rome actors, how about actresses? Zuleikha Robinson (Gaia) as Obarra Sand? Indira Varma (Niobe) or Lyndsey Marshal (Cleopatra) as Ellaria Sand?
darquemodeQuote Reply
MATTHEW,
:) And he’s a very good actor too.
Tír AirgidQuote Reply
Hey Al, they just booked Tim Discoll. I thought Dan Doherty fed him to Wu’s pigs? :)
RygarQuote Reply
MATTHEW,
Hildebrand very much reminds me of Kingsley in Sexy Beast! Wow!
I liked him On Sons of Anarchy and Deadwood…. great addition.
Tikaram I am not as familiar with honestly, but he has a great look to him!! I saw Kama Sutra so long ago and don’t recall his performance.
Now we just need Daario and Mero!
darquemodeQuote Reply
Rygar,
Ha! XD
I thought the very same thing!!!
HBO connection strikes again.
darquemodeQuote Reply
darquemode,
As much as I’d love Lyndsay Marshall in GoT, I’m not so sure Ellaria will be included in S4. Even if she might still be important to the plot in future books she doesn’t have that much to do in King’s Landing in S4, unless they decide to give Oberyn a few more scenes.
MachaQuote Reply
Wow, they both seem excellent choices.
Tír AirgidQuote Reply
I’d be as giddy as a schoolgirl if they could land Titus Weaver in some cpacity.
RygarQuote Reply
Ramon Tikaram ! That’s fab news. Loved him in Karma Sutra also he was in a british t.v. show called This Life . (1997) Loved that show. As an ironic side note there was also a character called Egg! :)
YvyBQuote Reply
Ha! and Dan was in Soldier Soldier with our Bron! Aw I really wanted Robson Green to be Mance as well but hey ho !
YvyBQuote Reply
Wow. Great point on Rome actresses for sand snakes…
DARKSTARKQuote Reply
darquemode,
My thinking is that the Sand Snakes will be of the same ethnicity, because on a book page it is easier to describe their backgrounds and parentage while explaining their dissimilar appearance. The tele though creates the problem of bloated exposition, so by having the Snakes be of similar appearance, the writers don’t have to delve deeply into their back history.
Your choices for Arianne are interesting, they are young upcomers of Indian descent I presume, much like Aruna Shields. I can see Nina going this route too, much like Emilia’s by giving exposure to a talented young Thespian to help her career. I still have a soft spot for Parminder Nargra though.
tysnowQuote Reply
Macha,
That’s very true…
Ellaria mostly helps show who Oberyn is than has a specific role herself. I do like the light she casts on Oberyn though. The man shows up with his consort and asks about prostitutes and women before he passes the gate! XD
darquemodeQuote Reply
Dan Hildebrand was….Master Ignacio in DA:O?! ROFLMAO I’ve played that game too many times. This is pure win!
MachaQuote Reply
Ha ha ha ! Stop it!!!! :)
YvyBQuote Reply
tysnow,
I fear they will be all similar in ethnicity too. I really hope to see the Sand Snakes all look different. That is part of their charm to me I guess….
Ther are certainly a lot of actresses of Indian heritage to chose from in the UK. I just chose those 3 since they will be in the upcoming Honour cast by nina Gold. I think Darwish is Egyptian, Hart and Joseph both have NearEastern or MiddleEastrn heritage, but I’m not sure what specifically honestly.
darquemodeQuote Reply
So did HBO contact Westeros.org and ask if they wanted to announce two actors? Maybe the same thing will happen with this site?
CarneQuote Reply
Carne,
Those 2 roles would have been perfect Froggy casting mysteries from GRRM… sigh.
I miss the Froggy casting puzzles!
darquemodeQuote Reply
Experience matters in fighting, as the best fighters have strategy in mind and not just strength of body. Sort of like a game of chess, where you make one move in order to force your opponent to do something you want them to do so you can exploit the opening created. Also, Hinds is a bit taller than Harrington (if their imdb stats are accurate) and so there should be no problem expecting Mance to be a slightly stronger fighter than Jon at that point in time. Also Mance becomes another father figure to Jon in some ways, so it’s appropriate that he’s older. A woman is on the same page as you, Hinds should be great.
Mrs. H’gharQuote Reply
Polly Walker for Maege Mormont!!!!!!!
alytheshebearQuote Reply
I for one would be saddened if that was the case. They ARE all different and I would like them portrayed as such :(
Tho I can see your reasoning it would still bother me grately
YvyBQuote Reply
YvyB,
It would bother me too, I liked that RV had so many daughters from different mistresses. A strong point from the books was how much they all loved and honored their father, being from differing backgrounds. Perhaps Nina will go this route, I for one would love it, but it might cause a migraine among viewers, trying to keep them all straight. This is why Ms. Gold probably will cast them as the same ethnicity.
tysnowQuote Reply
darquemode,
I would be interesting if she casts those three as Sand Snakes, and I for one wouldn’t mind at all.
tysnowQuote Reply
tysnow,
I guess we’ll have to wait and see… no disrespect to you, but I hope in this, you’re wrong :)
YvyBQuote Reply
Loved to learn Ciarán will be playing Mance!! He looks pretty much like the character image I had in my head while reading the Mance parts ont he books!!! =)
Diana BarretoQuote Reply
Right series, wrong actor. Purefoy was the perfect Mance, c’mon..
BirdQuote Reply
YvyB,
He works for me, too or Crow’s Eye.
Jen@House StarkQuote Reply
Please do not complain, guys! He is an amazing actor.
Plus: EVERYBODY here knows the next season is ALL about the Queen of Thorns.
SauloQuote Reply
Jen@House Stark,
Did you see the pic that Darquemode put on side by side to a fantastic painting ? Oh my!
YvyBQuote Reply
Now all we need is Ian McShane
The GreatjonQuote Reply
I’m indifferent about Purefoy, but the list you provide is worthy of thought. I’m afraid
Dev Patel already has a commitment with HBO’s Newsroom though. Irfan Khan may
very well be a contender for prince Doran and has worked on HBO projects. He
seems ageless ( elderly or young ) and could easily absorb this role. Hope he is a fan.
What about Strong Belwas ?
WildSeedQuote Reply
This is a point ( you got to before I ) that needs to be underscored. This makes for an
impressive if thoughtful scene that may not need to to lengthy just well executed. I hope
GoT doesn’t blow it. The prince will have other big moments so I hope the subtly done
entrance here of them both includes a more than a brief glance of her.
WildSeedQuote Reply
One thing to note about commitments is that some of these roles really aren’t very big.
It’s not to say there can’t be scheduling conflicts; if the actor has a conflict, that’s that. Even someone with only a week of shooting can have a conflict. And I could see Nina & Co steering away from someone like Dev Patel simply because there are so many chances for FUTURE conflicts if they cast him in an ongoing role.
That all said, how many weeks of shooting does a character like Quentyn or Arianne really have? It’s not an awful rule of thumb to put pace at a scene/day (longer for action, perhaps a bit shorter for pure dialogue in the same setting). Arianne or Quentyn may only shoot for 2 weeks.
AlanQuote Reply
While this is probably the best way to demonstrate this, casting and introducing a character is a lot of monetary and screentime cost to underscore this. Look at how they avoided Selyse — and she has had a much bigger role in future books than Ellaria.
It’s all about trade-offs.
AlanQuote Reply
tysnow,
I don’t think she should limit her choices simply to Indian actors. Any actors with olive skin and dark hair would work.
Tyrion PimpslapQuote Reply
Also, am I the only one who doesn’t believe the show will cast most of the Sand Snakes? They could easily condense them into 1 or 2 characters. IMO. They weren’t that memorable for me while reading the books.
Tyrion PimpslapQuote Reply
I did picture him slightly younger even though in the books he’s middle aged
Michelle,
JamieQuote Reply
This woman is hoping, with many others, that Strong Belwas will not be omitted from the show. That tiny bit of wit and wisdom he may bring could really help the season from becoming oppressively morbid. Belwas! Belwas!
Mrs. H’gharQuote Reply
TITUS PULLO IS WITH ME!
ARE YOU?!
ARE YOU WITH ME?!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PeN1k9AAMg&feature=related
Mike ChairQuote Reply
A woman can hope all she likes, but I’m pretty sure there will be no Belwas in Season 3.
However, they could possibly introduce him in Season 4 as a freed fighter from the Meereenese pits.
MATTHEWQuote Reply
Woot!!
“Free folk don’t follow names, or little cloth animals sewn on a tunic,” the King-Beyond-the-Wall had told him. “They won’t dance for coins, they don’t care how your style yourself or what that chain of office means or who your grandsire was. They follow strength. They follow the man.”
the goatQuote Reply
I doubt HBO would deprive themselves of the opportunity to have 4 badass hotties that are in the actual books appear in the show.
Joshua TaylorQuote Reply
Tyrion Pimpslap,
Thank you!!
YvyBQuote Reply
Aegon the Conqueror,
27-6? wow :(
andreaQuote Reply
Omigosh I’m late, but yes! Great news!
dobesolQuote Reply
Tyrion Pimpslap,
I personally liked all the Sand Snakes and they stuck in my mind, but I love the Dorne chapters.The older ones are all very indivdual in my mind and I love the concept of them being sent out to various regions to spy and/ or accomplish tasks.
I even like the younger Sand Snakes.I giggle at the idea of a 8-year old running around the Water Gardens smashing fruit about with her morningstar as her older sisters create enough chaos to be called terrors of the pools! XD
darquemodeQuote Reply
AHHHHHHH
WHAT
YES
FEELS
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
ThatsMyFury!Quote Reply
andrea,
Don’t be too discouraged, we didn’t get a bonus point, you kept us almost scoreless the second half, it was your first game in the Championship and it was in SA. I think next week will be much closer. I also think you guys can take Australia. So cheer up!
Aegon the ConquerorQuote Reply
Aegon the Conqueror,
We’ll get better, I’m sure. But the good will is very touching :)
andrea,
Este equipo se está rearmando, y para mí le falta un líder experimentado como Contempomi, pero el roce con el antiguo 3 Naciones sólo nos puede beneficiar para ir armando y puliendo un mejor equipo. Cuanto más roce tengamos mejor. Llegado los mundiales, nuestro “cuco” no es Europa sino los ex-3 naciones . Y para vencer el miedo/respeto excesivo no hay nada mejor que enfrentarlo una y otra vez hasta que pierda el ribete de extraordinario y se convierta en un partido más. A la larga, estoy convencida de que va a ser muy bueno para los Pumas. Teneles fe! No sabía que también eras fana del rugby. A mí me encanta!!! :D
Tír AirgidQuote Reply
Tír Airgid,
Well if I might add, everytime the Pumas play anybody other than the Boks I will be cheering my lungs out for them. I hate NZ and AUS
Aegon the ConquerorQuote Reply
Aegon the Conqueror,
Thank you kindly! :) We’ll need all the support we can get we we play over there, since I don’t think there’ll be more than a handful of Argentines that can assist to the matches. We’re really excited to be part of this tournament and I’m sure it’ll help forge this not very seasoned team into something “bigger and stronger”.
Tír AirgidQuote Reply
Cracking casting, and I can’t really see any problem with his age. As everyone should know, just because he’s 59 in real life doesn’t mean he can’t play a younger age on the show. The guy has acted along side Gary Oldman for god sake, surely that should put everyone’s mind at ease :).
Grant DickQuote Reply
Aegon the Conqueror,
The feeling from Australia is reciprical – we hate you too.
Great to see the Pumas in the comp (I’m sure they are now everybody’s second favourite team) – it’s an exciting time for Southern Hemisphere rugby.
WylieQuote Reply
Wylie,
Will say this, still hate you less than I do the Northern Hemisphere teams. Hahaha you guys got hammered this weekend!
Aegon the ConquerorQuote Reply
Aegon the Conqueror,
Thanks Aegon, you´re really kind. I’m sure that we´ll get better with each game.
Eso es muy cierto y claro que creo que este campeonato es un gran entrenamiento. No le prestaba demasiada atención pero ví los efectos que el rugby como juego de equipo produce en niños con problemas de conducta y así me enganché y ahora me gusta mucho :)
Yes it is! more so if it comes from an Australian. Thanks and and…we’ll see how it goes?
andreaQuote Reply
or vice versa? Gary Oldman is younger and more famous but both are geniuses
andreaQuote Reply
Aegon the Conqueror,
Yep – Southern Hemisphere pride! I loved watching the Cheetahs play this year, they were the most exciting team in Super Rugby.
Alas you are right, the Wallabies are pretty painful to watch at the moment. It’s gonna be a painful season for us I fear.
WylieQuote Reply
Wylie,
Well if it makes you feel better my provincial team the Bulls got raped by the bloody Cheetahs this weekend. Alas without our Springboks tis gonna be a long Currie Cup.
Aegon the ConquerorQuote Reply
Mrs. H’ghar,
I am with this woman! Belwas, Season 3.
Jen@House StarkQuote Reply
Mike Chair,
I’m with you, too, Ray rocks!
Jen@House StarkQuote Reply
Tír Airgid,
Aegon no habla espanola. Pues German exalente. Es la verdad!
Jen@House StarkQuote Reply
YvyB,
No, great Lady of the North, I have not seen it. Might you point me in the right direction?
Jen@House StarkQuote Reply
What happened to good ol’ Joe Campo?
DeaddardQuote Reply
Fantastic choice for Euron!
I own Season 1 of “Rome” and loved Purefoy as Antony, but Hinds is the bomb! I’m very happy.
beewulfQuote Reply
Let me say I love the actor( he was great in Rome , Munich , and a bunch of other movies) but I must say not how I pictured mance at all! He has a very serious monotone way about him that I don’t feel will be vigorous , and charasmatic how I pictured mance. I also felt like he was younger, he might of been great for stannis but I’m not sure about mance. Hopefully I’m wrong . I also think this confirms that we will see purefoy at some point in the coming seasons. I believe that he will most likely be Euron…..he was born for that role ! Nina has lady-wood for those Rome actors..,,now if we could just get Titus poolo and Lucius vernes will be set!!!
SdotsmittyQuote Reply
Jen@House Stark,
I think it’s higher up on this thread… I’ll check :)
YvyBQuote Reply
There we go My Lady , you can see their name on the painting, I Googled , top notch! :)
YvyBQuote Reply
Jen@House Stark,
I may be wrong but it looks like you’re saying Aegon can’t speak Spanish cause he’s German, or something like that.
Aegon the ConquerorQuote Reply
Jen@House Stark,
“it is known” ha ha ha
YvyBQuote Reply
Jen@House Stark,
The Spanish part was just a little exchange between me and my countrywoman Andrea after the Pumas defeat, that’s all. Wish I could speak German, but alas, I’m horrible at it. Even after living in Germany for about a year… I managed to understand a lot, even make a couple of convoluted, stunted sentences, but that was so long ago I fear I’ve forgotten even the little I “knew”.
Aegon the Conqueror, I think she just meant to point out you wouldn’t understand the Spanish bit, but that your German was excellent. Mine, on the other hand, is attrocious. :(
Tír AirgidQuote Reply
Tír Airgid,
You are correct, ser. I am a sun dial in a digital age and blogging is still somewhat of a challenge from time to time. Thank you for your assistance.
Jen@House StarkQuote Reply
YvyB,
Someone bring me my fan, I’m gettin’ the vapors!
Jen@House StarkQuote Reply
Aegon the Conqueror,
I tried, and I emphasize tried, to say you don’t speak spanish but you do speak German.
Jen@House StarkQuote Reply
Jen@House Stark,
Pass on the fan. I need it too! I was skeptical about having Purefoy on the show, but after that picture… How can I resist! Bring him on as Euron! I’m converted! :D
Tír AirgidQuote Reply
Tír Airgid,
Me gusto mucho Purefoy. Es un hombre mas hermosa, y, “guapo” is el verbo correcto? Digame, por favor.
Jen@House StarkQuote Reply
Jen@House Stark
Top marks! :) I think you can say both: handsome/guapo and beautiful /hermoso(the o is because he’s male). So the amended sentence would be: “Me gusta mucho Purefoy. Es un hombre muy hermoso y guapo.”
Tír AirgidQuote Reply
100%
He was good in Rome, but he was absolutely fantastic in Ivanhoe.
Jordan HealeyQuote Reply
Tír Airgid,
I am so rusty! I speak it on the Saturdays that I work with latino people, plus my brother-in-law is latino, so me gusto mucho español. Pero, writing it is muy dificil de ves en quando!
Jen@House StarkQuote Reply
Wow he is great I LOVE him!!! Rome was such an awesome show, I still think randomly ab what a bad ass Julius Casear he was. “this is NOT a game.”
On another note I found this randomly on YouTube just now
Check out this video on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpSDSgChsaI&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Sent from my iPhone
The Sand SnakeQuote Reply
I also just remembered he played the Phantom in phantom of the opera!!! So we know he can sing!!! I have faith in him to bring the lighter side of Mance out as well, he’s great. Couldn’t be happier w this casting
The Sand SnakeQuote Reply
This makes me think that the guy who played Marc Antony in Rome would be awesome to see in GoT. He was Great at that role. He would be a great Red Viper of Dorne if he got a little bit more of a tan to have olive skin. He sure looked pretty good in robes and ropes in Rome :)
The Sand SnakeQuote Reply
We’ve already got him (James Purefoy) pegged as Euron Greyjoy!
Cary StormQuote Reply
Oh! Ha ha. I think I’d rather see him as Oberon myself
The Sand SnakeQuote Reply
Fabulous actor! I’ve been a big fan of his since I saw Persuasion many years ago and he’s been great in everything I’ve seen him in since then.
msdQuote Reply
Just watched him in Eclipse, good movie, pretty scary and moving in parts. The film is only 2 years old, and he could pass for a man in his mid 40′s easily.
tysnowQuote Reply
KatieJo,
I am very disappointed with this casting. He is not at all what I saw. I had thought of Dominic West as well. He would have been absolutely perfect (behind an absolutely impossible Viggo Mortensen) I really don’t think this choice will ever sit well with me. Though he is a fantastic actor, there is no way to naturally cover up his age and change his aura to the extent that I would need to make this casting choice workable.
On another note: Will there be no Strong Belwas? Is not going to be on the TV version?
PrettysilentoneQuote Reply
Cary Storm,
If they changed themselves, it would fit a lot better!!!! Euron is rude, lost one eye, is more aggressive. Suits a whole lot better for Ciarán than for James. In the other hand, Mance is younger (or so i picture him), is a ladies’ man, sings and play musics. Do you picture Ciarán doin’ this?? James Purefoy does it better!!!
Fra NcoQuote Reply
Carne,
I’m right there with you. I do think Ciaran is a great actor but a poor fit for the role of Mance. He’s too old. Purfoy or Dominic West were in the right age range and can pull off the charismatic rogue type that was Mance….I wish they had continued looking for another maybe unknown actor for the role rather than going with this solution.
I’m disappointed.
AnnaQuote Reply
Ciarin Hinds is a great actor and all but can anyone really picture his as a bard. They never should have announced who was going to play Mance becausethe scene where Jon goes into the camp and wonders who Mance is was one of the best scenes.
mikeQuote Reply