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Warning: Spoilers about Game of Thrones' Seasons 1 and 2, as well as minor spoilers regarding new Season 3 characters.
Next year, Game of Thrones will be filled with swamp siblings, magical outlaws and uncles named Blackfish. So who are we the most psyched to meet?
Now that Game of Thrones’ Season 2 has sadly come to an end, executive producers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss have released a list of some of the new characters we’ll be seeing in Season 3. You know, so that those of us who’ve read the George R. R. Martin books can get a head start on all of our manic/eager anticipation for next year’s sure-to-be awesome batch of episodes. But for those of you who haven't read the books, here's why you should be excited to see a bunch of names you've mostly never heard of.
Season 3, which Benioff and Weiss have already stated will only encapsulate half or so of the giant third book of the Ice and Fire saga, A Storm of Swords, will be an interesting mix of book three and, well, the parts of book two that didn’t make it into Season 2. Yes, from here on out the seasons aren’t going to quite match up with the books exactly, but I think we can all agree that it would be too much for a TV show to introduce as many new characters as Martin shoves into his novels at the exact same times that he actually brings them into the story.
And I know a lot of people’s common complaint is that the seasons should be longer than 10 episodes. But since that’s not going to happen, we have to make do and accept that, while big moments of the saga will remain intact, some of the other parts might get dosed out to us in a different manner. Now, I’m going to try and be as vague about these characters as possible, but if you’re someone who doesn’t want to know anything about Season 3 at all, turn back now.
Here are the new characters we’re most psyched to see in Season 3:
Jojen and Meera Reed
If you perused the IGN comments on my Game of Thrones reviews this past season, one of the things you will have definitely noticed were some fans raging over the lack of Reeds. Yes, it’s true, the rather-important brother and sister duo from marshy, boggy Greywater Watch were left out of Bran’s story this past year, but if you consider the fact that they had to give Theon’s invasion of Winterfell its proper respect (and considering how lean Bran’s tale gets after he leaves Winterfell) it makes perfect sense to have saved these two for later.
Ser Brynden Tully and Edmure Tully
Long before change-haters were all up in arms over the Reed siblings not being in Season 2, they were all flustered about the Tullys - in particular Cat’s uncle, Ser Brynden, aka “The Blackfish” - not being in Season 1. In the books, The Blackfish hit the scene when Cat was on her way to The Eyrie with Tyrion as her prisoner, back in Season 1. But now, a bit later, we’ll finally meet Ser Brynden, along with Cat’s brother Edmure. And with their introduction will also come, hopefully, our first trip to Riverrun.
Mance Rayder
Unlike the four characters mentioned above, the “King Beyond the Wall” got a lot of lip-service this past season (along with a few mentions in Season 1). So as far as characters that straight-up TV viewers might be anticipating the most, it’s gotta be Mance. As we heard in Season 2, Mance is a former member of the Night’s Watch who deserted their ranks to become a free man of the North. But how did he raise up such a gigantic army? And what does he plan to do with them? All will be revealed as Jon Snow, no longer a prisoner, heads behind enemy lines.
Beric Dondarrion and Thoros of Myr
During the Harrenhal storyline, Tywin’s soldiers were given the task of locating the elusive “Brotherhood without Banners.” By any cruel means necessary. So it stood to reason that we’d get to meet the Brotherhood in Season 3. Of course, we already met, ever so briefly, Beric Dondarrion back in Season 1 when Ned Stark sent him and some men out to stop The Mountain from raiding villages in the Riverlands. So in case some of you were wondering why that scene was there, or why the unassuming Beric got called out by his name, it’s because it was an important seed that needed to be planted. I wouldn’t fully expect the same actor to play Beric since it would have taken a massive amount of forethought to cast an actor for one brief Season 1 scene with the intent of bringing him back as a major player two years later.
Alongside Beric is Thoros, who is sure to give Melisandre a run for her money by showing us a whole other side of the “Lord of Light” religion.
The Bloody Mummers
If there was one group that I genuinely thought might be completely left out of the already uber-crowed HBO series, it was Vargo Hoat and his Bloody Mummers. Or, as their proper title denotes, “The Brave Companions.” Yes, this group was also supposed to have been introduced in Season 2, but now that a video audition for Vargo (talking to Jaime in the scene) has been spotted online, it officially looks like they’ve been bumped to Season 3 along with the Reeds and Tullys.
Ramsay Bolton???
Yeah, we put question marks next to Ramsay’s name because, honestly, he hasn’t been confirmed for Season 3 yet. One would think that Lord Bolton’s legitimized bastard (hence why he’s not called Ramsay Snow) would show up next year after heading down to Winterfell, from the Dreadfort, with 500 men to oust Theon. But even though he succeeded in thwarting Theon, with the help of Robb’s offer to Theon’s men, we never saw him on camera. Trust me, we can hardly wait to see this guy on TV, but it’s not entirely clear when they plan on having him show up.
Olenna Redwyne
Now that Margaery Tyrell’s queenly ambitions have landed herself an opportunistic engagement to King Joffrey, we’ll be seeing a lot more of the Tyrells at court. Enter Olenna, Margaery’s grandmother (nicknamed “The Queen of Thornes”). A perfect role for a Maggie Smith-from-Downton Abbey type, Olena’s sharpness and bluntness are sure to make her a fun standout in King’s Landing.
No, these aren't the only new characters headed our way, but they’re definitely the ones we’re most excited to see. Dany’s storyline will introduce us to mercenary captain Daario Naharis, Jon Snow’s adventure will bring about a headstrong wildling called Tormund Giantsbane and on the Dragonstone front, we’ll finally get to meet Stannis’ wife, Selyse, and daughter, Shireen (and hopefully Patchface?).
Next year, Game of Thrones will be filled with swamp siblings, magical outlaws and uncles named Blackfish. So who are we the most psyched to meet?
Now that Game of Thrones’ Season 2 has sadly come to an end, executive producers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss have released a list of some of the new characters we’ll be seeing in Season 3. You know, so that those of us who’ve read the George R. R. Martin books can get a head start on all of our manic/eager anticipation for next year’s sure-to-be awesome batch of episodes. But for those of you who haven't read the books, here's why you should be excited to see a bunch of names you've mostly never heard of.
Season 3, which Benioff and Weiss have already stated will only encapsulate half or so of the giant third book of the Ice and Fire saga, A Storm of Swords, will be an interesting mix of book three and, well, the parts of book two that didn’t make it into Season 2. Yes, from here on out the seasons aren’t going to quite match up with the books exactly, but I think we can all agree that it would be too much for a TV show to introduce as many new characters as Martin shoves into his novels at the exact same times that he actually brings them into the story.
And I know a lot of people’s common complaint is that the seasons should be longer than 10 episodes. But since that’s not going to happen, we have to make do and accept that, while big moments of the saga will remain intact, some of the other parts might get dosed out to us in a different manner. Now, I’m going to try and be as vague about these characters as possible, but if you’re someone who doesn’t want to know anything about Season 3 at all, turn back now.
Here are the new characters we’re most psyched to see in Season 3:
Jojen and Meera Reed
If you perused the IGN comments on my Game of Thrones reviews this past season, one of the things you will have definitely noticed were some fans raging over the lack of Reeds. Yes, it’s true, the rather-important brother and sister duo from marshy, boggy Greywater Watch were left out of Bran’s story this past year, but if you consider the fact that they had to give Theon’s invasion of Winterfell its proper respect (and considering how lean Bran’s tale gets after he leaves Winterfell) it makes perfect sense to have saved these two for later.
Ser Brynden Tully and Edmure Tully
Long before change-haters were all up in arms over the Reed siblings not being in Season 2, they were all flustered about the Tullys - in particular Cat’s uncle, Ser Brynden, aka “The Blackfish” - not being in Season 1. In the books, The Blackfish hit the scene when Cat was on her way to The Eyrie with Tyrion as her prisoner, back in Season 1. But now, a bit later, we’ll finally meet Ser Brynden, along with Cat’s brother Edmure. And with their introduction will also come, hopefully, our first trip to Riverrun.
Mance Rayder
Unlike the four characters mentioned above, the “King Beyond the Wall” got a lot of lip-service this past season (along with a few mentions in Season 1). So as far as characters that straight-up TV viewers might be anticipating the most, it’s gotta be Mance. As we heard in Season 2, Mance is a former member of the Night’s Watch who deserted their ranks to become a free man of the North. But how did he raise up such a gigantic army? And what does he plan to do with them? All will be revealed as Jon Snow, no longer a prisoner, heads behind enemy lines.
Beric Dondarrion and Thoros of Myr
During the Harrenhal storyline, Tywin’s soldiers were given the task of locating the elusive “Brotherhood without Banners.” By any cruel means necessary. So it stood to reason that we’d get to meet the Brotherhood in Season 3. Of course, we already met, ever so briefly, Beric Dondarrion back in Season 1 when Ned Stark sent him and some men out to stop The Mountain from raiding villages in the Riverlands. So in case some of you were wondering why that scene was there, or why the unassuming Beric got called out by his name, it’s because it was an important seed that needed to be planted. I wouldn’t fully expect the same actor to play Beric since it would have taken a massive amount of forethought to cast an actor for one brief Season 1 scene with the intent of bringing him back as a major player two years later.
Alongside Beric is Thoros, who is sure to give Melisandre a run for her money by showing us a whole other side of the “Lord of Light” religion.
The Bloody Mummers
If there was one group that I genuinely thought might be completely left out of the already uber-crowed HBO series, it was Vargo Hoat and his Bloody Mummers. Or, as their proper title denotes, “The Brave Companions.” Yes, this group was also supposed to have been introduced in Season 2, but now that a video audition for Vargo (talking to Jaime in the scene) has been spotted online, it officially looks like they’ve been bumped to Season 3 along with the Reeds and Tullys.
Ramsay Bolton???
Yeah, we put question marks next to Ramsay’s name because, honestly, he hasn’t been confirmed for Season 3 yet. One would think that Lord Bolton’s legitimized bastard (hence why he’s not called Ramsay Snow) would show up next year after heading down to Winterfell, from the Dreadfort, with 500 men to oust Theon. But even though he succeeded in thwarting Theon, with the help of Robb’s offer to Theon’s men, we never saw him on camera. Trust me, we can hardly wait to see this guy on TV, but it’s not entirely clear when they plan on having him show up.
Olenna Redwyne
Now that Margaery Tyrell’s queenly ambitions have landed herself an opportunistic engagement to King Joffrey, we’ll be seeing a lot more of the Tyrells at court. Enter Olenna, Margaery’s grandmother (nicknamed “The Queen of Thornes”). A perfect role for a Maggie Smith-from-Downton Abbey type, Olena’s sharpness and bluntness are sure to make her a fun standout in King’s Landing.
No, these aren't the only new characters headed our way, but they’re definitely the ones we’re most excited to see. Dany’s storyline will introduce us to mercenary captain Daario Naharis, Jon Snow’s adventure will bring about a headstrong wildling called Tormund Giantsbane and on the Dragonstone front, we’ll finally get to meet Stannis’ wife, Selyse, and daughter, Shireen (and hopefully Patchface?).
