'Game of Thrones' character photos released

Arya Stark played by Maisie Williams

With the second season of HBO's hit show "Game of Thrones" set to debut April 1, the network has released a bevy of character photos of most of the major players, both returning and newcomers.

As large as the cast was for season one, the second second, which will follow George R.R. Martin's "A Clash of Kings," adds many more to the fractured world of the Seven Kingdoms.

The newcomers include: Stephen Dillane ("John Adams") as Lord Stannis Baratheon, Liam Cunningham ("Camelot") as Davos Seaworth the Onion Knight, Lucian Msamati ("The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency") as Salladhor Saan, Michael McElhatton ("Fifty Dead Men Walking") as Roose Bolton, Robert Pugh ("Robin Hood," "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World") as Craster, Hannah Murray (the U.K. "Skins") as Gilly, Roy Dotrice ("Amadeus," "Beauty and the Beast") as Pyromancer Hallyne, Tom Wlaschiha ("Enemy at the Gates") as Jaqen H'gar, Gemma Whelan ("The Wolfman") as Yara Greyjoy, Carice van Houten ("Repo Men," "Valkyrie") as Melisandre, Gwendoline Christie ("The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus") as Brienne and Natalie Dormer ("The Tudors") as Margaery Tyrell.

The first season was awarded Outstanding New Program by the Television Critics Association and also picked up 13 Emmy nominations, including a win for Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister). Season two will run for 10 episodes.

See below for more of the characters photos:

Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead Wright) and Hodor (Kristian Nairn)

Jon Snow played by Kit Harington

Robb Stark played by Richard Madden

Sansa Stark played by Sophie Turner

Cersei Lannister played by Lena Headey

Joffrey Baratheon played by Jack Gleeson

Tyrion Lannister played by Peter Dinklage

Daenerys Targaryen played by Emilia Clarke

Daenerys Targaryen played by Emilia Clarke

Davos Seaworth the Onion Knight played by Liam Cunningham

Mellisandre (Carice van Houten) and Stannis Baratheon (Stephen Dillane)

Renly Baratheon played by Gethin Anthony

Brienne played by Gwendoline Christie

Balon Greyjoy played by Patrick Malahide

Theon Greyjoy played by Alfie Allen