'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:

Signed 'Game of Thrones' scripts 'stolen' en route to author George R.R. Martin

"Game of Thrones" author George R.R. Martin is claiming two autographed scripts from the Emmy-nominated HBO series based on his works have been stolen en route to him for a charity auction.

George R.R. Martin

Martin made an online blog post about the theft over the weekend, warning fans to be cautious if they see any scripts up for sale or auction in the future.

According to Martin, he was prepare a number of items for a charity auction at this week's Worldcon in Reno, Nev.

"We had hoped to bring a couple of signed scripts from the first season of the HBO series 'Game of Thrones' with us, and the good folks in Belfast were kind enough to donate them. Dan Weiss sent them across the pond (registered and priority, signature required)," Martin said.

Michael McElhatton to play 'Game of Thrones' as Roose Bolton

Not to be left out with all of the recent casting news for season two of HBO's "Game of Thrones," author George R.R. Martin has revealed that Irish actor Michael McElhatton will play Roose Bolton, Lord of the Dreadfort.

Michael McElhatton

McElhatton has appeared in a variety of film and television productions, including "Fifty Dead Men Walking" and "Masterpiece Mystery."

He joins fellow season two newcomers 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, Liam Cunningham ("Camelot") as Davos Seaworth the Onion Knight, Stephen Dillane ("John Adams") as Stannis, 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 recently awarded Outstanding New Program by the Television Critics Association. It also picked up 13 Emmy nominations, including Best Drama Series, Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister), Writing in a Drama Series and Direction in Single-Camera Series.  

Craster, Gilly cast, Roy Dotrice joins 'Game of Thrones'

The cast of HBO's "Game of Thrones" continues to grow with production underway on season two.

Robert Pugh

Welsh actor Robert Pugh ("Robin Hood," "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World") is the latest to join and will play Craster, a wildling who lives north of the Wall with his 19 wives. Unlike most of the people living in the Haunted Forest, Craster keeps an alliance with the Night's Watch.

In "A Clash of Kings," the second novel in George R.R. Martin's fantasy series, upon which season two is based, Craster's keep is visited by the Night's Watch, including Jon Snow (Kit Harington) and Samwell Tarly (John Bradley).

Hannah Murray

While there, Samwell befriends one of Craster's younger wives, Gilly, who will be played by Hannah Murray (the U.K. "Skins").

Rounding out the new additions is Roy Dotrice as Pyromancer Hallyne, chief of the Guild of Pyromancers in the capital. In addition to his acting credits, Dotrice has read for four of the five audiobook additions of Martin's series, including "A Dance With Dragons," which was released last month.

Roy Dotrice

The trio join fellow season two newcomers Tom Wlaschiha ("Enemy at the Gates") as Jaqen H'gar, Gemma Whelan ("The Wolfman") as Yara Greyjoy, Liam Cunningham ("Camelot") as Davos Seaworth the Onion Knight, Stephen Dillane ("John Adams") as Stannis, 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 recently awarded Outstanding New Program by the Television Critics Association. It also picked up 13 Emmy nominations, including Best Drama Series, Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister), Writing in a Drama Series and Direction in Single-Camera Series.