Game of Thrones season 4 won’t kick off (sadly) until 2014, but the producers of the show aren’t slowing down on production as they have now filled a major cast member being added next year.
Prince Oberyn Martell aka The Red Viper will appear in season 4 of the hit fantasy show on HBO and will be portrayed by Pedro Pascal, a veteran actor who has been seen in several TV shows over the years.
Pascal has starred in shows such as The Good Wife, Graceland and numerous appearances on the Law & Order franchise.
He will now join the cast in one of the most anticipated roles for season 4.
Showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss broke down the casting choice when speaking to EW.com
This was a tough one. The Red Viper is sexy and charming, yet believably dangerous; intensely likable, yet driven by hate. The boys love him, the girls love him, and he loves them all back. Unless your last name is Lannister. We found a fellow who can handle the job description and make it seem effortless. He wasn’t easy to find and he won’t be easy to stop.
For those unfamiliar with the books (without too many spoilers), The Red Viper is quite a charmer with the ladies, but also just as vicious with his sword. He comes to King’s Landing looking for revenge after Lannister henchman Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane raped and murdered his sister during the sacking of King’s Landing when Robert Baratheon and the Lannisters took the throne from the Mad King Aerys Targaryan.
It’s likely a little more information about the role will be revealed during San Diego Comic Con in a few weeks where Game of Thrones is expected to have one of the featured panels as well as a heavy presence throughout the four day event.