HBO's Game of Thrones Cast

The first season of Game of Thrones was awesome. I've read all the books by the great George R. R. Martin, and loved them. Usually, a TV series takes a lot away from the book and isn't very similar. This show is the exception. It's very on-point towards the book and keeps true to the characters that Martin created in his series of books. The books were filled with tons of characters and as the seasons progress, so will the cast. Let's take a look at each of the characters in this series and recall why we loved them so much.

Petyr Balish, also called littlefinger will return in the new season. This is a very complex character in the series as well as in the books. He is on the King's council and seems to take matters into his own hands. There are a lot of things going on behind people's backs in this series and littlefinger might just be the cause of a lot of it. He had his sites set on the wife of Ned Stark since he had been a young boy but her feelings towards him were more down the friend road than anything else. Yet, he still is in love with her and his reasons for doing sneaky things might just lead back to his unfulfilled love.

Prince Joffrey Baratheon, played by Jack Gleeson (perfect casting by the way coming from somebody who read the books), comes back in season 2 as the new King of Westeros. I'm not sure this kid has a good bone in his body but it certainly makes for great entertainment. He's vicious, arrogant and doesn't really have much appreciation for human lives, other than that of his own. He's supposed to married to Ned Stark's daughter but I doubt she is going to be willing since he chopped off her father's head. He's young, he's King and he's ready to start his rule.

Sandor Clegene, also known as 'the hound', will also be back in season 2. He takes his orders from the new king and is completely ruthless. This was also perfect casting. I almost pictured this character in the books exactly the way he looks on the series. He's had a rough past but is a huge man that inspires fear to most around him.

Theon Greyjoy, a ward of the Stark house, will also be back at Rob's side in this new season. For those of you who have read the books, we all know what's coming with this guy and it's completely unexpected. He has intentions of his own and he prides himself on being from the Greyjoy family, the Lords of the Iron Islands. He likes to attend brothels and is somewhat of a 'rouge' character.

Queen Cersi Lannister is one of my favorites from this series. She has a lot on her plate. She was married to the late Robert Baratheon, the king who met his end at the horns of a bore in the first season. He was an old drunk who nearly drove her crazy. Anyways, she found herself in the arms of another man to help with the loneliness. It just so happens that man was also her twin brother. They seem to love each other and also, all of her children were fathered by him. This woman is completely vicious and knows what to do to stay in power. She also has a strong pull over her son that is now the new King, despite that he was actually bastard born. Always trying to keep her little secret unknown to others, she's ruthless and down right intriguing.

Ser Jamie Lannister, a highly glorified member of the King's Guard, and the queen's real lover comes back in season 2. He's good looking, good with a sword and fierce when it comes to defending his family and honor. He doesn't fear death, or at least says that he doesn't. His father has always held him on a pedestal and he is constantly at odds trying to keep that notion true. He's part of a powerful, rich family and he'll do what he has to, to keep his family on the throne.

Tyrion Lannister, my absolute favorite in the books, as well as the series is played by the amazingly talented Peter Dinklage. He's a dwarf and in this fantasy land, he would've probably been killed if he had been born to any other family than that of the most rich and debatebly most powerful in the seven kingdoms. He's very smart, good at solving problems and has a strong taste for whores. His father has always seemed to look down on him but at the end of season one, his father starts to see that his brain might be more powerful than anyone's sword. This is the most interesting character from the books and I'm hoping to see a lot of him in season 2.

Jon Snow, another one of my favorites, is the bastard son of Ned Stark. Marred by his title of 'bastard', he choices to join the forces on the wall that protects the realms of men. He goes there, unaware that most of the recruits are criminals. This character is played by the sexy Kit Harrington.

Jorah Mormont, a banished slave trader is now the advisor of the last Targaryen, Danareys. It's clear that his feelings for her are stronger than normal. He cares for her but also seems to have a lingering secret that I believe may come to light in season 2. This character is good with a sword and will do just about anything to defend his lady love.

Arya Stark, the 'tomboy' daughter of Ned Stark, was able to escape after her father was beheaded at the end of season 1 with the held of one of his friends from the wall. She started taking sword lessons that will prove to be vital towards her survival. She must pretend to be a boy so that nobody suspects that she is the daughter of Ned Stark. If the Lannisters were to get their hands on her, she would be perfect bait and a great pawn in their game.

Bran Stark became crippled after a fall from a ledge by the hands of Jaime Lannister. He's an interesting young boy who wanted nothing more than to be a solider and work a bow and arrow. His sorrow is just getting started with the loss of his legs. He will soon discover that he has other abilities that will be of use.

Lady Catelyn Stark (Tully), the widowed wife of Ned Stark came from a prominent family before marrying the Warden of the North. She desired nothing more than to raise her children in Winterfell without a fear of anybody getting in the way. Those plans were changed when her husband was called to King's Landing by order of the late king Robert. She loved her husband dearly and now prays for revenge against those who have harmed her family.

Robb Stark, the oldest son of Ned Stark, as well as his heir, must come to terms with the death of his father. In the last season, he had gathered up an army with the intent of rescuing his father. When that doesn't work out, his only motivation becomes revenge. He was also declared the King of the North by his father's banner men towards the end of the last season and he must come to grips with what that actually means. He's a good, complex character who understands mercy and honor, courtesy of his late father.

Sansa Stark, one of my favorites from the book and the series finds herself trapped at King's Landing at the end of season 1. She's still to be married to the evil Joffrey and is dealing with the loss of her father, a loss that she witnessed first hand. To make matters worst, the new king is always going to be pushing her buttons and supplying her with an endless array of brutal, cruel behavior. She becomes a strong pawn for the Lannisters, one they hope to use to stop the impending war.

Daenerys Targaryen, 'the real queen of the 7 Kingdoms' and one of my favorite characters will find herself with a new way to play the game of thrones. After the death of her unborn child and husband, she abandoned by most of his people and left with a couple of slaves and her advisor Jorah Mormont. She desperately wants to win back the seven kingdoms in the name of her family and with three dragons, she just might be able to. This character is very interesting and also can't be burned by fire, as we saw by the end of season 1.

There are tons of other supporting characters as well as new characters who will be coming to the new season. If you haven't watched this one, I recommend that you do. It has a rich story line, sex, violence and tons of great characters.