At the rate characters are killed off on ‘Game of Thrones‘, it shouldn’t be surprising that the show is looking to freshen up its roster of characters.  This season, look for 12 new faces to show themselves and potentially become fan favorites… or those you love to hate.  (With Joffrey dead, someone must step into that role, right?)

Here is a listing of the characters from the books that will be stepping onto the show this season:

  • Prince Doran Martell – Doran is described as the major new player this year, appearing in multiple episodes. The fiftysomething prince uses a wheelchair, is reclusive and rules wisely. It appears the show is looking to continue the trend it started with Pedro Pascal, and cast Latino actors for the Martell clan.
  • Prince Trystane Martell – Trystane, the handsome fiance of Princess Myrcella, is being aged up to 18.
  • Areo Hotah – Doran’s personal bodyguard will appear throughout the season, assisting the prince with his duties. The show is particularly looking for a black actor to fill the role.

The Sand Snakes, who are Oberyn Martell’s bastard daughters (ages are from 18-25)

  • Obara Sand – The eldest and most athletic Sand Snake will be having a major fight scene with a series regular character- not one who crosses her path in the books. This is an interesting change.
  • Nymeria Sand – Nymeria is described as “mixed race,” with her father being the fairer Oberyn and her mother being darker skinned. The second oldest of these Sand Snakes, she’s beautiful, emotional and very strong.
  • Tyene Sand – The youngest of the Sand Snakes that we meet uses her wits and seductive powers, and is less of a physical fighter than the other Sand Snakes. She is just as deadly as her sisters, however, but her weapon is poison.

The rest of the new characters:

  • High Sparrow – The books’ pious head of a religious movement will be appearing in several episodes in season 5.
  • Septa Unella – The show is looking for a character actress to play the imposing and unrelenting septa who spends a lot of time with a major series character next year.
  • Maggy the Frog– A fortune teller in A Feast for Crows, she’ll be in one episode next year.
  • Lollys Stokeworth – Just last week in “Mockingbird,” Bronn announced his intention to marry Lollys, whom Tyrion considers “dimwitted.” It looks like the sellsword will still be around next year.
  • Yezzan – A sleazy Meereenese slave owner.
  • The Waif – The strange child from the books that Arya encounters will likely be played by an older actress, one in her later teens, and we understand the show is specifically looking for a woman of East Asian descent for the part.

Rumor has it that the show will be filming in Spain for the next season, with that location standing in for Dorne.  In the books, Oberyn has eight daughters and only three are listed here.  Could the rest be on the way?  Also missing is Arianne Martell, the daughter of Prince Doran, who plays a major role in the later books.  Is she also on her way?  Or are producers keeping her under wraps for now?

What do you think?  Are you looking forward to the next season of ‘Game of Thrones’?

Source: Winter Is Coming