GregHowley.com

Since the announcement that they were going to be making one of my favorite books, A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin, into a movie, I've been following every tidbit of news about it with much enthusiasm. So many TV shows and movies based on books I've loved have turned out to be crap (The Time Traveler's Wife, Legend of the Seeker) that I'm hopeful for this one. Perhaps the HBO presentation of A Song of Ice and Fire can be as good an adaptation as Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings was. Television really does seem like the right medium for this kind of drawn-out story.

With that in mind, I'd like to go over some of the casting, which I've got to say is truly excellent.

Beginning with the Stark family, core of the books, we've got the head of the family, Eddard Stark, being played by Sean Bean. You likely know him as Boromir from the Lord of the Rings movies. He's also one of the only two actors I know from the entire cast. Still, good choice I think.

Eddard's wife Catelyn will be played by Jennifer Ehle. Although I've never before heard of her, she's got a substantial resume. I think I actually prefer unknowns in programs like this.

Their eldest son Robb Stark is being played by Richard Madden, but there's still no word as to who'll be playing young Brandon Stark.

The bastard son Jon Snow will be played by Kit Harrington.

Lastly, the two Stark girls. Prissy Sansa Stark will be played by Sophie Turner, and her younger sister Arya, who incidentally is one of my favorite characters in the books, will be played by Maisie Williams. Looking at those faces, I'd say they've got the casting right on.

That's it for the Starks. I'm also a bit disappointed that there's no news as to who'll be playing Brienne of Tarth, the brutish female knight. She's really just an excellent character. Ditto Davos Seaworth, the Onion Knight.

Alfie Allen will be playing the role of Theon Greyjoy. I've never been a big fan of that character, but he's fairly central to the story.

Ser Jorah Mormont will be played by Iain Glen. Although I don't know him, he's got an excellent resume, and certainly looks the part.

The role of Robert Baratheon is an important one, as his death at the beginning of the story is what kicks the whole plot into motion. This picture of Mark Addy with a moustache is the only one I could find in which he looks roughly like what I'd pictured Robert Baratheon as. Obviously, they'll be making him up well for the show, but for now we've got to use our imaginations.

So how about the Targaryens? Heirs to the old king. They had to up the age of Daenerys Targaryen, or else they'd have had to cut the sex scenes. I'm fine with it. She's being played by Tamzin Merchant.

Her asshole brother Viserys is being played by Harry Lloyd.

And now for the bad guys. The Lannisters. Such great characters though. How can you not love the incestuous brother and sister pair intent on ruling and their deformed younger brother who has a penchant for prostitutes?

Jaime Lannister will be played by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, and Cersei Lannister will be played by none other than Sarah Connor herself, Lena Headey. I've got to say - I absolutely love that casting choice. She was okay as Sarah Connor, but she'll be phenomenal as queen bitch Cersei.

Their son Joffrey Baratheon will be played by Jack Gleeson, who apparently appeared as a random boy in Batman Begins.

Still no word on who gets to play the king badass brute of all time, Gregor Clegane.

Finally, The Imp. Peter Dinklage gets to play the role of Tyrion Lannister, another absolutely fantastic flawed character.

After casting news like this, how can you not be excited for this show. If you haven't read the books, I highly recommend them.