Game of Thrones: The Mad King will have an incredibly large cast performing on the Royal Shakespeare Theatre’s stage in Stratford-upon-Avon.
The Royal Shakespeare Company is known in the industry as having consciously diverse cast members for their productions, so the diversity in this announcement was not unexpected, but rather welcome. Given the discriminatory discourse following the Velaryon casting for House of the Dragon, we sincerely hope true fans of George R.R. Martin’s world will be positively receptive of this casting announcement and not act uncivil online (hate tweeting benefits no one, after all).
Let’s take a quick look at all the cast members that have been announced so far:
- Harmony Rose-Bremmer as Lyanna Stark
- Noah Ritter as Prince Rhaegar Targaryen
- Elizabeth Ayodele as Princess Elia Martell
- Michael Abubakar as Eddard Stark
- Tanisha Spring as Lady Ashara Dayne
- Luke Brady as Brandon Stark
- Miles Barrow as Benjen Stark
- Alexander Newland as Lord Rickard Stark
- Marty Breen as Catelyn Stark
- Michael Shaeffer as King Aerys II Targaryen
- Mariah Gale as Queen Rhaella Targaryen/Lady Shella Whent
- Callum Woodhouse as Lord Robert Baratheon
- Adrian Christopher as Prince Lewyn Martell
- Edem-Ita Duke as Oberyn Martell
- Islam Bouakkaz as Howland Reed
- Fred Davis as Qarlton Chelsted
- Sebastian Charles as Owen Merryweather
- Daniel Hawksford as Ser Barristan Selmy
- Maxim Ays as Ser Jaime Lannister
- Kel Matsena as Ser Arthur Dayne
- Shaun Yusuf McKee as Ser Gerold Hightower
- Huw Parmenter as Ser Oswell Whent
- Hughie O’Donnell as Lord Varys
- Richard Hansell as Grand Maester Pycelle
- Daisy Franks as Cersei Lannister
- Marcello Walton as Ser Jonothor Darry/Lord Tywin Lannister
- Tom Larkin as Lord Whent/Wisdom Rossart
- Griffin Ashton, Henry Gray, and Beckett Mitchell as Prince Viserys Targaryen
The website of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre has left a “TBA” for at least another cast member, so we can expect some news on that in the next few weeks. A missing character from this list is Jon Connington, who plays a crucial role as a Targaryen supporter during Robert’s Rebellion.
Back in April, information on the creative crew was shared, and we found out that puppetry and period dance would feature in the production. Now, with this new casting announcement, we know which actors are listed as “Puppeteers.” These actors are: Adrian Christopher, Fred Davis, Ronan Cullen, Sebastian Charles, Simi Egbejumi-David, Daisy Franks, Lewis Howard, April Nerissa Hudson, Tom Larkin, Chelsea Marie, Shaun Yusuf McKee, Tzarina-Nassor, Kate Rowsell, Tom Stacy, and Matt Tait.
Game of Thrones: The Mad King will run at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon from July 20 to September 5, 2026. The play is being adapted by Duncan Macmillan and directed by Dominic Cooke. Set during the Tourney of Harrenhal, we will see the events that kicked off Robert’s Rebellion and the plot of A Song of Ice and Fire.
Fans of Martin’s world are eager to see parts of Westeros history come to life for the first time.
For more details about the play, check out the official website of the Royal Shakespeare Company.
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