While season four of the hit HBO show Game of Thrones continues on with production, we keep receiving little updates as to who’s filling in the remaining important roles for this part of the story. We’ve already heard that Pedro Pascal will be playing Prince Oberyn Martell (The Red Viper), while Indira Varma has been brought on to play his lover Ellaria Sand. We’ve even been told that Mark Gatiss has been cast in a still-secret role.
Today we can narrow the possibilities down a little more as Roger Ashton-Griffiths has officially been cast in the role of Mace Tyrell, Queen Margaery’s father. A Song of Ice and Fire author George R. R. Martin confirmed the announcement via his blog, saying:
He’s a father, he’s a son. He’s been a bishop, a cardinal, a prior, a friar, a vicar, a knight, a lord, a mayor, a director. There’s one born every minute, but by any other name he’d smell as sweet. Yes, it’s the fine British character actor Roger Ashton-Griffiths, who has been cast in the role of Mace Tyrell, son to the Queen of Thorns, and father of Loras and Margaery.
Taking a look at Ashton-Griffiths’ picture above, he’s not exactly how I pictured the Lord of Highgarden while reading the book. Then again, by the time the makeup department gets through with him, they will more than likely have him looking like someone completely different.
Ashton-Griffiths has had a career that has already spanned over 30 years, appearing in such projects as Gangs of New York, A Knight’s Tale, and The Tudors. Even though he’s not particularly well-know, given the great success they’ve had with casting throughout the entire series, I’m sure they’ve made yet another perfect fit.
The currently-shooting season four of Game of Thrones is due to start airing next spring (late March/early April) and will cover the remaining portion of A Storm of Swords, book three in Martin’s series.
What do you think of this casting choice? Who did you picture in the role? Let us know in the comments below!
(Source: Comic Book Movie)