With HBO announcing that Season 5 of
Game of Thrones would shift much of the action to Dorne — the region of the Seven Kingdoms ruled by House Martell — in the aftermath of the death of Oberyn Martell (Pedro Pascal), casting rumors for the various Martell family members have been omnipresent.
At today’s
Game of Thrones panel at San Diego Comic-Con, HBO put the rumors to rest and announced the three actresses who would be playing Oberyn’s daughters, aka the Sand Snakes.
Oscar nominee Keisha Castle-Hughes, who starred in
Whale Rider when she was 13, has landed the role of Obara Sand, Oberyn’s eldest daughter and a fearsome warrior in her own right. Jessica Henwick (
Silk) will play Nymeria (“Nym”) Sand, the second eldest daughter — who is described as being cultured, graceful, and deadly with a whip. Rounding out the trio of young warrior women is Rosabell Laurenti Sellers (
The Family) as Tyene Sand, whose mother is Ellaria Sand (Indira Varma), who watched in horror as
The Mountain crushed Oberyn’s skull in Season 4.
The casting announcements didn’t end there, however, as six other actors will also be joining the fifth season:
Jonathan Pryce as the High Sparrow
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A devout and pious man, the High Sparrow came to King’s Landing to serve those forgotten by much of the world – the poor, the downtrodden, and the infirm – and quickly amassed a large following. His fellow believers have swarmed over the city, ministering to the lowest, and decrying the corruption of the highest.
Alexander Siddig as Doran Martell
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The former
24 star will play Doran Martell, the ruling lord of Dorne and the older brother to the late Red Viper, Prince Oberyn Martell. Expect many scenes with blood oranges, though it’s unclear whether producers will have Doran be the gouty, pensive character he is in George R.R. Martin’s books.
Also in Dorne…
Toby Sebastian
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DeObia Oparei
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Toby Sebastian (
After the Dark) will play Trystane Martell, Prince Doran’s son and heir to Dorne. DeObia Oparei (
Dredd) joins the cast as Areo Hotah, the long-serving captain of Doran Martell’s palace guard.
Nell Tiger Free as Myrcella Baratheon
Twitter: @freenelltiger
In a bit of recasting, Nell Tiger Free (
Endeavour) will take over the role of Myrcella Baratheon, a role originally played by Aimee Richardson. Myrcella is the eldest child of Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) and is betrothed to Trystane Martell. Her character was last seen in Season 2 of
Game of Thrones, when she was sent to Dorne against the wishes of Cersei.
And finally…
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Enzo Cilenti will play Yezzan, whose life as an extremely wealthy slave trader was affected when Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) outlawed the slave trade.