‘Game of Thrones‘ always does things in a big way. From the sheer amount of cast members to the huge events we see unfold each season, the hit HBO fantasy drama goes big and their presence at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con was no different. In attendance at the show’s panel were showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss, author George R.R. Martin, and cast members John Bradley, Gwendoline Christie, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Natalie Dormer, Kit Harington, Rose Leslie, Rory McCann, Pedro Pascal, Sophie Turner, and Maisie Williams. However, the biggest news came when a number of new names were announced to join these and all the rest of the cast once the ball gets rolling again.

Alexander Siddig

Last season, fans were crushed to see the death of the Red Viper Oberyn Martell. But if you thought that viewers were upset and angry, just wait until we see how his family reacts. Many members of House Martell will be prominently featured in Season Five to avenge Oberyn’s gruesome demise. Among them will be ‘Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’ star Alexander Siddig as Doran Martell, Oberyn’s older brother and ruling lord of Dorne, and Toby Sebastian as Trystane Martell, heir to Dorne and Myrcella Baratheon’s betrothed. Speaking of Jamie and Cersei’s daughter, Nell Tiger Free will take over the role from Aimee Richardson, who has not been seen since SeasonTwo.

Previously, Oscar-nominated actress Keisha Castle-Hughes was said to be joining the cast as one of Oberyn’s bastard daughters known as the Sand Snakes. Now, we know that the ‘Whale Rider’ star will portray Obara Sand, an extremely fierce warrior and the eldest of the Snakes. Joining her as her equally deadly sisters will be Jessica Henwick as Nymeria Sand, the daughter of an Eastern noblewoman with an affinity for whips, and Rosabell Laurenti Sellers as Tyene Sand, the daughter of Ellaria Sand (Oberyn’s paramour from season four) whose weapons of choice are her twin daggers.

The last three cast members take us from Dorne to Meereen to King’s Landing as DeObia Oparei will take the role of Areo Hotah, the captain of Doran Martell’s palace guard, Enzo Cilenti will play wealthy slaver Yezzan, and Jonathan Pryce shall step into the part of the devious and pious High Sparrow, who arrives in the capital to be a champion for the poor and likely oppose Cersei.

In order to put these names and descriptions to faces, the new cast members introduce themselves in the video below:

Finally, as a bonus to all this excitement, the official ‘Game of Thrones’ YouTube channel release this epic gag reel from season four featuring some of our favorites goofing off. Everyone could use a little more footage of Peter Dinklage dancing after all, so check it out below:

What do you think of the plethora of new cast members joining ‘Game of Thrones’ for season 5? Did you enjoy the blooper reel? Let’s hear all your thoughts in the comments.