The full cast for upcoming Game of Thrones play The Mad King has been unveiled, and it reveals that a lot of our favorite A Song of Ice and Fire characters are returning.
The play revolves around the Tourney of Harrenhal, so, if you're a George R.R. Martin lore expert, you probably already had a good idea who would be popping up onstage (and Martin himself already confirmed the involvement of the Starks, Robert Baratheon, and more on his Not a Blog page).
But, if you're not up to speed, you'll probably be happy to hear that the likes of Ned Stark, Jaime Lannister, Cersei Lannister, Oberyn Martell, and more will all be gracing the stage this summer in the UK's Stratford-Upon-Avon. Check out the full list below.
- Michael Abubakar – Eddard Stark
- Luke Brady – Brandon Stark
- Marty Breen – Catelyn Stark
- Alexander Newland – Lord Rickard Stark
- Harmony Rose-Bremner – Lyanna Stark
- Miles Barrow – Benjen Stark
- Maxim Ays – Ser Jaime Lannister
- Daisy Franks – Cersei Lannister
- Marcello Walton – Ser Jonothor Darry / Lord Tywin Lannister
- Noah Ritter – Prince Rhaegar Targaryen
- Michael Shaeffer – King Aerys II Targaryen
- Mariah Gale – Queen Rhaella Targaryen / Lady Shella Whent
- Callum Woodhouse – Lord Robert Baratheon
- Elizabeth Ayodele – Princess Elia Martell
- Adrian Christopher – Prince Lewyn Martell / Ensemble
- Edem-Ita Duke – Oberyn Martell
- Kel Matsena – Ser Arthur Dayne
- Tanisha Spring – Ashara Dayne
- Islam Bouakkaz – Howland Reed
- Richard Hansell – Grand Maester Pycelle
- Daniel Hawksford – Ser Barristan Selmy
- Hughie O'Donnell – Lord Varys
- Sebastian Charles – Owen Merryweather / Ensemble
- Fred Davis – Qarlton Chelsted / Ensemble
- Shaun Yusuf McKee – Ser Gerold Hightower / Ensemble
- Huw Parmenter – Ser Oswell Whent
- Tom Larkin – Lord Whent / Wisdom Rossart/Ensemble
- Ronan Cullen – Ensemble/Swing
- Simi Egbejumi-David – Ensemble
- Lewis Howard – Ensemble
- April Nerissa Hudson – Ensemble
- Chelsea Marie – Ensemble
- Kate Rowsell – Ensemble/Swing
- Tom Stacy – Ensemble/Swing
- Matt Tait – Ensemble
- Tzarina-Nassor – Ensemble
"I love this cast – they bring all the strengths, flaws and intricacies within these characters that drive this important chapter of Westerosi history," said Martin in a statement. "They have a fire in them, and I can't wait to see them bring that fire to the stage."
Also confirmed are the behind the scenes talent, which might give us some clues about what to expect from the show. Among the creative team are puppetry and movement directors Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell (Lume), intimacy director Ingrid Mackinnon, period dance consultant Francesca Roche, fight director Bethan Clark, and dialect coach Hazel Holder. So, we can guess we'll see fights, intimate scenes, a dance (most likely at the great feast held on the first night of the tourney), regional accents, and impressive puppetry (Barnes and Caldwell won a prestigious Olivier Award for their work on London's Life of Pi show, which features a tiger puppet).
The tourney at Harrenhal is a pivotal moment in Westerosi history, which saw Rhaegar Targaryen crown Lyanna Stark the queen of love and beauty. Rhaegar absconding with Lyanna, along with Aerys II Targaryen's tyranny, is what sparked Robert's Rebellion.
The show is adapted from Martin's work by Duncan Macmillan and directed by Dominic Cooke, and it debuts at Stratford-Upon-Avon's Royal Shakespeare Theatre this July 20, with opening night set for August 8.
Next up for Westeros is House of the Dragon season 3, which arrives in the US this June 21 in the US and June 22 in the UK. It's final trailer has arrived, and it looks absolutely huge.
While you wait, check out our guide to all the upcoming Game of Thrones movies and TV shows for everything else that's on the way.
